How to Curate the Perfect Gallery Wall in 10 Easy Steps

Gallery walls are an easy way to add personality, style, and even a little story to your home. Whether you want to showcase family memories, your favorite art, or a mix of everything, creating the perfect gallery wall is all about balance, creativity, and a bit of planning. Follow these 10 actionable steps to create a stunning gallery wall that feels both curated and uniquely yours.

1. Choose the Perfect Wall

Do you have any blank walls that could use a touch of personality? Popular places for gallery walls include living rooms, hallways, or above furniture like a sofa or a dresser. Staircases also serve as a great vertical canvas for a gallery wall, adding texture and color to somewhere you frequent on a daily basis. Make sure the wall is well-lit so your artwork can shine. Natural light is ideal for highlighting your collection, but too much direct sunlight can fade art over time, so be mindful of positioning. A gallery wall can turn even the dullest corner into a conversation piece and add warmth to your space!

Pro tip: make sure the wall gets enough light to highlight your art, but not so much direct sunlight that it risks fading your pieces.

2. Decide on a Theme or Style

Before you start hanging anything, think about the vibe you want your gallery wall to create. Do you want a sleek, modern look with a cohesive theme, or something more eclectic and personal? One way to unify your gallery is by choosing a central theme, like travel photos, family memories, or abstract art. Alternatively, you can stick to a consistent color palette or use matching frames to tie everything together. Whether you go with black-and-white photos, botanical prints, or a collection of concert posters, having a unifying element will give your gallery wall a sense of cohesion.

Once you’ve decided on a theme, think about how the style of your artwork fits with your home. A monochromatic collection will work well in a minimalist space, while a vibrant mix of patterns and textures can add energy to a more eclectic room.

Pro tip: pick one unifying element like color, frame style, or subject matter to keep the gallery feeling connected, even if the pieces are different.

3. Gather Your Artwork

Now comes the fun part: gathering the pieces for your gallery wall display! Start with what you already have — whether it’s a collection of framed family photos, art prints, or posters. You can also mix in different media types, like paintings, sketches, or 3D objects such as mirrors or decorative plates, to add variety. Combining personal items with artistic pieces gives your gallery wall character and makes it feel like a reflection of your life. Variety is key to keeping your gallery wall visually interesting. Play with different sizes and orientations to create a more dynamic layout. Large, bold pieces can serve as focal points, while smaller items fill in gaps and add balance. 

Pro tip: don’t be afraid to mix large statement pieces with smaller ones to create a balanced, dynamic layout. Don’t worry — we’ll get to how to plan your gallery wall layout later.

4. Choose the Right Frames

The frames you select can make or break the look of your gallery wall. If you’re going for a sleek, modern feel, choose frames that are all the same color and material. On the other hand, if you prefer a more eclectic style, mixing different frame types (like wood, metal, and vintage frames) adds texture and interest. 

Also consider matting — material that borders your artwork within a frame — which can help smaller pieces stand out and give the artwork a polished, gallery-quality finish. You can also play with the thickness of the frames. Thick frames tend to feel more substantial and can be used to highlight your favorite pieces, while thinner frames offer a more minimalist look. Finding the right balance between frame styles will help create harmony on the wall.

Pro tip: mixing frame thicknesses can add visual interest, but if you want a polished look, stick to frames in the same color or material.

5. Plan Your Layout

Before putting any nails in the wall, take some time to plan your layout. Lay all your artwork on the floor in front of the wall and experiment with different arrangements. You might prefer a symmetrical grid layout for a formal, balanced look, or you could go for an asymmetrical arrangement for a more relaxed, artistic feel. 

Begin with the largest piece as your starting point and build the layout around it with smaller frames. This will ensure the gallery feels grounded and visually balanced. When deciding on spacing, consider how much room you want between each piece. About two to three inches between frames is a good rule of thumb for most gallery walls, but feel free to adjust based on the size of your artwork and the look you’re going for. Once you’ve found a layout you like, don’t forget to take a photo of it so you can reference it later!

Pro tip: start with the largest piece as the anchor in the center, and arrange smaller pieces around it to create balance.

6. Make Paper Templates

Instead of guessing where each frame will go, make things easier by creating paper templates of each frame. Trace the shape of each frame onto craft paper, cut it out, and use painter’s tape to stick the templates onto the wall. By doing so, you can also measure the space between your frames properly. This important step allows you to rearrange the layout as many times as you need without hammering unnecessary holes into the wall. Once your templates are taped up, take a step back and evaluate the arrangement from a distance. This will help you make any final adjustments before committing to the placement of your artwork.

Pro tip: don’t rush this step! Moving paper templates around is much easier than rehanging multiple frames. Take your time to get the layout just right.

7. Measure and Mark

Once you’re happy with the template layout, it’s time to measure and mark where your nails or hooks will go. Use a measuring tape to ensure the spacing between each frame is even, and mark the points where you’ll need to place nails. For heavier pieces, use the appropriate hanging hardware to prevent accidents.

Using a level is essential at this stage to make sure everything is lined up properly. Even a slightly crooked frame can throw off the balance of your entire gallery wall, so take the time to measure twice and mark carefully.

Pro tip: most frames have hooks that aren’t centered, so measure the distance between the hook and the top of the frame to ensure your marks are accurate.

8. Hang Your Art

Now it’s time to bring your gallery wall to life! Start by hanging the anchor piece — the largest or most central frame — at eye level. Once that’s in place, work outward, following the layout you’ve carefully planned. Make sure to double-check that each frame is level as you go along. For lighter pieces, picture-hanging strips are a great alternative to nails, especially if you want the flexibility to rearrange the wall later. For heavier frames, use nails or wall anchors to ensure they’re securely in place.

Pro tip: use picture-hanging strips or hooks if you’re working with lighter pieces or want the flexibility to easily rearrange in the future.

9. Step Back and Adjust

Once everything is up on your wall, take a step back and admire your work. Look at the gallery wall from different angles and distances to make sure everything feels balanced and aligned. If something seems off, don’t hesitate to make small adjustments, as sometimes even moving a frame an inch or two can make a big difference. If any frames are slightly crooked, adjust them until they’re perfectly level. This step ensures your gallery wall looks polished and professional.

Pro tip: walk around the room to see how the gallery wall looks from different angles. Sometimes a frame might need slight tweaking to look perfect from every viewpoint.

10. Optional Step: Add Accent Lighting 

Finally, consider adding some lighting to highlight your gallery wall, especially if it’s in a dimly lit area. Picture lights, sconces, or strategically placed lamps can enhance the look of your artwork, making the whole wall feel more like a curated exhibit. Even in naturally lit spaces, accent lighting can help create a mood and draw attention to specific pieces. If your gallery wall is exposed to a lot of sunlight, consider using UV-protective glass in your frames to prevent the artwork from fading over time. This small investment will keep your pieces looking vibrant for years to come!

Pro tip: be mindful of direct sunlight on your artwork. UV-protective glass is a good idea if your gallery wall will be exposed to natural light.