Creating gallery wall layouts is not just a simple and timeless way to create a feature in your home. It’s a creative process that can easily be adapted to different interior styles. It’s like curating your own art exhibition, where each piece of artwork or photograph is carefully arranged on a wall to create a unique masterpiece in its own right. The best part? It’s a fun and personal way to showcase your style and interests.
Designing a gallery wall layout may seem daunting at first, but with some careful thought and planning, it can be an easy and creative way to add your personal touch to a room. As an experienced interior designer, I’ve had the privilege of designing numerous gallery walls. Over time, I’ve honed a formula that consistently creates beautiful walls. Here’s the step-by-step guide to help you create your perfect gallery wall layout.
Gallery Wall Layouts
Create a colour palette
When creating your gallery wall, you will need to start with the colour palette. This will make sure that the whole collection feels cohesive and gives the impression of a curated feature within the room. The colour palette can be as simple as choosing just black and white photos. This works especially well if the images you are working with are of different subjects, as it will make them feel cohesive. Although, you do not have to make sure that the art is coordinated. You can coordinate the frames for the artwork instead. The frames will become a large part of the whole look as there are so many pieces on a gallery wall. This could be by choosing a single frame to use on repeat or by keeping the colour of the frames within a small colour palette.
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Pick your artwork and frames
Once you know the colour palette you want to work with and how you plan on using it in your gallery wall layout, it is time to pick out your artwork and frames. To do this, think about the style of gallery wall layout you would like to create. It could be that you want to create a design with a vintage feel. If this is what you want, then using different styles, shapes, and different sizes of frames will give you the best result. If you want to create a more modern look for your gallery wall, then choose frames that match in size, shape and colour. This will mean you will have a more grid-like layout, giving the gallery wall a contemporary feel.
The artwork or photos you want to use should also be chosen now. If you have a piece of artwork that you would like to focus the gallery wall around, it is best to make sure that all of the other pieces you choose work with this. Picking colours out of the artwork and making sure others also have the colours is a great way to do this. Creating a theme can be a great idea if you need help choosing artwork. This could be artwork featuring landscapes or photos of friends and family. Having a theme can help make sure that all of the artwork will work together as a whole. If you are still struggling to ensure that the artwork works well together, turning the images into black and white or using a sepia filter can help.
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Add in objects as well as artwork
When deciding what artwork and photos to include in your gallery wall layout, it is also worth considering other objects that could be used within the design. One such object is wall lights, which can work exceptionally well if you are designing your gallery wall to go above a bed or sofa. The wall light you choose can be sculptural or on a movable arm, so it can be used in multiple ways. Another object that can be incorporated into a gallery wall layout is a TV. This is an excellent idea if you are looking to conceal your TV and make it less of a feature. By incorporating it into a gallery wall, it will become less noticeable. This works even better if you use an art TV, which will help blend into the gallery wall.
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Decide on your layout
After you have all of the pieces you intend to use in this gallery wall layout, it is time to figure out exactly how they will fit together. Start with your biggest or most important piece. It will create the basis for the rest of the gallery wall. It will be better not to centre this piece as it will create a better overall look.
Next, add your second largest or most important piece into the arrangement. You will want these two pieces to be balanced out, so there must be some space and other artwork between them.
Once these two are placed, you must add the others to surround them. Try to break up the horizontal and vertical lines between the pieces, as this will create a more exciting look. It is also a good idea to vary whether the pieces are hung landscape or portrait, as this will add interest to the design.
If you have decided to incorporate a TV or wall lamp into your design. Treating it as your first or second piece is better, as it can be tricky to move and is usually a key piece.
Need a helping hand?
Laying the pieces out on the floor so you can move them around before you hang them will help to get the design right before you make any holes in your wall. It can also help to make paper templates for all of the pieces. This way, you can tape them to the wall and move them around until you are happy. It is also an easy way to make sure you are making holes in the wall in the right places. Measure from the top of the frame to the hook on the back of the piece and transfer this measurement onto the paper. Once your layout is confirmed, you can tap a nail through the paper at the point you marked and then rip it away to hang the artwork easily.
Gallery wall layout ideas
Here are some gallery wall layouts to give you some inspiration for your own design.
This classic grid layout is a modern take on a gallery wall layout. Using the same simple frame for all your pieces makes it even more contemporary. When you use this layout, it is better to make sure you are using a strong theme. It could be family photos or artwork of architecture. This is important because the frames will make up less of the design than in other layouts.
If you want to add a gallery wall to a hallway, a simple line is a great way to create a layout. This can work very well if the hallway is narrow. Using a few portrait pieces of artwork will not overwhelm the space and will help make the room look bigger.
Adding a gallery wall layout to a staircase will make a real statement and draw the eye up the stairs. In this instance, an angled layout will work well. It is a good idea to hang the pieces at the same height above the stairs, following the stairs’ angle to make sure that the gallery wall remains cohesive.
If you want to create a more vintage feel with your gallery wall layout, an irregular layout will work best. This type of layout works best if you vary the shape and size of the artwork, as this will help to break up any lines between the pieces. More ornate frames also work well with this style of layout. It can also be an excellent opportunity to add something like a mirror or sculptural wall light for interest.
This post has been all about gallery wall layouts and how to create them in your home.
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