How to create a gallery wall

Do you have a blank or boring wall in your home that needs some love? Here are some tips for creating a gallery wall…

CHOOSING ITEMS TO DISPLAY

It is always best to use pieces that are personal. For example:

Photographs taken by yourself or someone close to you

Photographs of family and friends
Photographs, travel posters, paintings, or maps of places that have meaning to you
Art that you’ve created or collected
Things that show your musical interests, like framed concert posters or album covers

3-dimensional or textured objects help add visual interest to the composition. Shown in the photo below is a gallery wall that includes a macrame hanging that I made with a group of friends. Here are some other ideas for adding character and depth to your wall:

Banners or flags
Hanging plants
An article of clothing on a wooden hanger (such as a vintage bathing suit at a beach house, or a sports jersey in a rec room/man cave)
A shelf with framed art, or collectibles
A musical instrument
Sports equipment, like a racket or a ski
A wood or metal sculptural piece

Most importantly, choose items that make you happy and are a reflection of you and those that live there.

HANGING TIPS

After you’ve selected the objects you want to display, cut out newspaper or cardboard to the same size. Label each cut-out so you know which goes with which art piece. Arrange the paper on your wall with blue painter’s tape.

The arrangement can be very symmetrical, or a complete mish mosh. However, the best gallery walls have visual interest and flow and follow a few rules of thumb...

IF the display is over a console table or sofa, hang it so that the lowest piece is about 10 inches above the sofa.
IF the display is on a blank wall with no furniture, hang it so that the center of the gallery is approximately 60 inches/5’ from the floor.
If working with few items of different sizes or shapes, an odd number is usually most pleasing to the eye (3, 5, or 7 pieces). If working with few items that are the same size or shape, an even number is okay. For example six 8x10 photo frames, arranged three over three.
Stagger pieces anywhere between 2” to 5” apart.
DO NOT go too small with the items, as compared to the wall, or the furniture underneath. For example, if you have 5x7 photos as part of the gallery, consider framing them in an 8x10 frame with a mat.

Play around with the design. Once you have the most visually appealing composition, you are ready to PLACE THE OBJECTS:

For lighter weight objects, I highly recommend 3M Command Strips. They work really well, and don’t leave any marks in/on your walls. Plus, if you end up wanting to move something around after it is placed, it is easy to do! You can buy these at any hardware store or here: 3M Command Strips on Amazon
For heavy objects going into a stud, use a nail or screw. For heavy objects installed in just drywall (or non-studded area), use an anchor and screw.
Use a small level on top of each flat piece to ensure nothing hangs lopsided.

If available, tie the colors of the gallery into other objects in the room, or vice versa. (Notice the throw and pillow on the sofa in the first photo.)

Lastly, if you would like help creating a gallery wall in your home, please feel free to contact me. I can help source artwork, design the best arrangement and install the gallery.

You may have pieces already in your home that you’ve been wanting to display. I’m happy to help!

Email: sarahmaclabrie@gmail.com

Phone/Text: (508)320-4635

Toy Organization