GALLERY WALL 101
So you want to install a gallery wall but have no clue where to start?
Well, my friend… you are in the right place because I am breakin’ it down, step-by-step, below.
Gallery walls are an excellent way to fill your vertical space. They add contrast, interest, scale and texture. They can be super polished (art gallery style) or more eclectic and collected (like mine). There are endless options in terms of style, layout, and actual content of the pieces… so no wonder they are a little intimidating. I get it! But I promise you, they are worth it in the end. Gallery walls always make your space feel more permanent and “installed”. Just requires a little planning up front.
Check out my time-lapse video for a visual guide on how I like to set up my gallery walls. Or - if you aren’t used to working in warp speed (if only I could answer emails this fast! AMIRITE?!), I have included the process steps and some pro tips below! Start scrollin….
GALLERY WALL INSTALL
GALLERY WALL PROCESS
Select your art! I included a family heirloom, some vintage/thrifted finds, and some prints I found online that I framed myself (hej, Ikea!). The most important part of choosing art for a collection is to focus on CONSISTENCY - in terms of color (black and white, muted, blues and greys), style of art (paintings, graphic art, photography), and/or theme (landscapes/nature, abstract). My advice is to select 1-3 pieces you absolutely LOVE, find the consistency and build out from there. This step takes the most time. So LMK if you want me to just DIM (do it myself…).
Placement! Lay it all out of the table, babes. Or on the floor. Just start creating different combinations and find what feels best. There are so many options, so maybe take a few photos and feel it out over the next day or two. I personally loved watching my husband and cat navigate around the “floor art” for 48 hours. You want to make sure you are balancing sizes, orientation (landscape vs. portrait), frame type, color and scale.
Line it up! We are talking Swiss Grid style for those design NERDS out there. It is important to develop consistency and rhythm when it comes to placement, so my advice is to use a grid system (create imaginary lines in your mind that anchor your pieces). You do NOT have to place art in a perfect grid, unless that is the look you want. I included a photo of how I did this below, because easier seen than written? Basically, I create an outline or border for my art to fit within, pick a center point and line up several pieces… this step is VITAL for install!
Get brave! The time has come to start hammering… If you follow these steps, your wall should not look like Swiss cheese by the end (OMG double Swiss reference in this post?!). I always begin by blue-taping my border on the wall. It is WAY easier to adjust the tape in the beginning if something is off-center. Trust. Once you have your border up, you can find your center point and build out from there, always keeping the lines and relationships between pieces top of mind!
ENJOY! Would love to see your installed g-walls… Send them over! And if you are craving more examples and tips, I have a whole series saved in my Instagram highlights (@design.worthy).
