5 Elements to the Perfect Gallery Wall

Here are 5 elements to the perfect gallery wall that will take your decorating to the next level. Gallery walls can bring an effortlessly stylish touch to a home!

Are they difficult to make?

Gallery walls have been a signature decorative piece of mine since I graduated college. There is something artistic, orderly and classic about gallery walls that just calls out to my soul.

Every time someone new came to my apartment, or comes to my house and sees my gallery walls they something like “Oh wow I really like that. How did you make that?” or “I wouldn’t know where to start with making my own gallery wall.” I always reply by telling them, they are really not difficult at all.

Just like any artistic project, there isn’t an exact science to making a gallery wall. Playing around with the frames, and pictures until you get the look you’re going for is important. Also, while there aren’t rules with anything artistic, there are elements that will help you complete the look you are going for.

It may seem daunting at first, but once you get a few pointers you will see how easy it is to make the perfect gallery wall for yourself!

The Elements

Here are my 5 elements to the perfect gallery wall.

• Alternating directions of frames. – As you can see in the picture above there are frames positioned verticle, and some horizontal. This creates a rounded look. Instead of everything in the same direction, this will help the eye move across the wall in a more rounded and engaging way.
• Hidden patterns – The secret to effortless-looking gallery walls are the hidden patterns. You don’t necessarily want to look at a gallery wall and say “It’s just a big checkered pattern.” One big, obvious pattern won’t engage the eye, and cause you to waltz from frame to frame. You want your eyes to enjoy spending some time looking at the gallery wall instead of just moving past it.
• Personal items – I am not one to have a bunch of pictures of my family and me on our walls. Or any pictures for that matter. But what is a home without a few personal touches in your decoration! Check out some personal items that are in my current gallery wall in the segment below called “Examples of personal items.”
• Empty frames – I think empty frames really make a gallery wall. Empty frames provide a light and airy look. Take a look at the picture below. Imagine if each one was a big colorful picture, of all different styles, and occasions. It would make the gallery wall look heavy and weighted. Empty frames are the way to go in my opinion.
• Different shapes, sizes and materials – As you see in the picture above no frame is alike. They all have different sizes, materials, and I even throw a round frame in there. Having a variety of elements will create that haphazard yet stylish look for the gallery walls.

Examples of personal items.

Pro Tips to the Perfect Gallery Wall

• Play around with the layout on the ground before putting it on the wall.
• 3M velcro strips are a lifesaver! While living in apartments you can’t put any holes in the walls. Some people let that stop them from putting up decorative pieces, but 3M velcro strips are the perfect alternative. When moving day comes, they are easy to take down!
• Thrift stores are a great place to get frames inexpensively. Dollar stores too have cheap frames for, yep you guessed it, just $1.
• The best gallery walls are collected over time. Don’t let this stop you from getting one going. It’s so fun to put up what you have then added on overtime.

Have you ever wanted to put together a gallery wall but didn’t know where to start?

Well what are you waiting for? Consider these 5 elements and get started!

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