How To Create The Perfect Gallery Wall

You need only sift through the millions of search-engine results to see that the esteemed “gallery wall” has long reigned supreme in the world of interior design. To the home decor neophyte, these popular salon-style displays might be loosely defined as a curated collection of artworks, sentimental souvenirs, and photographs thoughtfully hung together. Today, we invite you to explore our top tips to building the perfect gallery wall: one which precisely matches your personal tastes and beautifully complements the interior style of your home.

1. Plan your layout

One of the earliest gallery walls in memory was created at the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture (the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture) in Paris in the 17th century. The Académie made use of limited wall space to showcase the work of graduates from the city’s School of Fine Arts. This resulted in a certainly eclectic display of works! So naturally, the first step in your quest for the perfect gallery wall is to plan your layout.

Using painter’s tape, you can mark out the area on the wall where you want to hang your artworks. This will help you to get an idea of the size and shape of your wall, and also allow you to experiment with different configurations and symmetries. For example, if your available space is square, you will be able to tighten the works between them. Conversely, a wall that is longer than it is wide will lend itself more to a horizontal composition.

Once you have a rough idea of the layout, you can begin exploring pieces to include in the collection. You may want to choose pieces that have a similar theme or color palette, or you may want to mix and match different styles and mediums. Ask yourself whether you would prefer a more harmonious presentation to match your balanced, minimalist interiors, or a striking multi-media collection which complements your avant-garde tastes!

2. Choose your pieces

Up next comes the decision-making. Consensus generally dictates that the key to creating a gallery wall is making sure it looks cohesive: that is, that all the various components visually complement one another. You may want to choose pieces that have special meaning to you, such as family photos or artwork that you have collected over the years. You could couple these works which have a similar thematic feel to them, such as childhood books or works which remind you of family. 

Inspired by the greats

Alternatively, you may want to choose pieces that simply appeal to your aesthetic sense. If you are partial to a minimalist interior, you might opt for some larger scale pieces to draw in the viewer’s gaze. At the moment, we’re loving the monochromatic fine line drawings of Valérie Hadida. If you’re into the world of street art, why not explore some of our works inspired by Banksy and Warhol? Perhaps you’d prefer a more natural and calming interior? Our landscape pieces might catch your eye.

Mats are interesting to let the works breathe in the frames, or to give volume to a small work. Don’t hesitate to order custom mats, in a gallery wall, the finishing touches are essential! In general, remember to vary the frames to avoid a bland effect, unless your collection of works is already very eclectic.

Moreover, when choosing your pieces, consider the size and shape of each item, as well as the color and style. It’s important to choose a mix of different sizes and shapes to create visual interest and depth. Consider whether or not these pieces need to be framed. Are you going to use the same frame for each piece? Artsper has a selection of ready-to-hang artworks that come with frames in-tow! If you want your gallery wall to feature some of the best up-and-coming artists, be sure to check out our selection of emerging young talents in the contemporary art world.

3. Arrange the gallery wall

Once you have your pieces, it’s time to arrange them on the wall. We find that the trick here is to start with the largest piece in the center and work your way out. You might wish to use a striking conceptual piece to draw in the viewer’s gaze. Ronald Hunter’s geometric pieces make fantastic use of bold color, that we are loving at the moment. Alternatively, if you prefer a more muted display, you might enjoy our selection of black and white works. Finally, remember to use picture-hanging hardware appropriate for the weight of each piece!

Time to give it a go!

We hope that you’ve enjoyed this short guide to creating your perfect gallery wall. They truly are the mark of personalized home decor! If you’re looking for more artwork inspiration and promotions, be sure to check out our interior design-inspired works and our Instagram page. There’s something to be found for everyone!