It's actually pretty easy to do – it just takes a little time, preparation and patience. Morris Home offers some simple tips to help you get started on creating your own custom gallery wall.
1. Have fun choosing a layout: Before you hang anything, play with a few layouts.
- Use painter's tape to outline the size of the wall to help you visualize
- Use your cell phone to take pictures of a few variations you like to compare later
- To start, use two to four pieces hung in the center and at the same height to serve as your anchor and focal point, then fill in from there
2. Consider placement: As you are designing your wall gallery, think about the placement of each piece, especially if you are hanging any art over a sofa or chair.
- When hanging artwork over furniture, leave at least eight inches between the base of the frame and the top of the furniture
- Remember, eye level is best – be sure to avoid hanging pieces too high or too low
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3. Develop a palette
- The easiest technique is to choose a color that compliments your space, then use pieces in a similar color palette
- Create a more colorful, playful display by choosing pieces in a variety of colors
- Sticking with a black-and-white color scheme makes for a very bold, chic display
4. Create a wall story: Let your wall document and tell the story of your travels and experiences. It can be a real conversation-starter.
- You can use a combination of photos from recent trips and any artwork and prints you bought while on vacation.
5. Frame your work: The frames you choose to highlight the art for your gallery wall are just as important as the art itself.
- For a clean look, frames in the same style and color work well
- Mix and match frames to create the feeling that the pieces have been collected over time
- If you are mixing frames, use the same color mat on all the pieces to keep some form of consistency
- Distressed frames give an old-world vibe
- Unique frames, such vintage ones found at a flea market, add visual interest
- If you don't want them all the same but don't want them to look too ornate, go for white with some wood and metal accent frames
6. Go off-center: For a gallery wall arrangement that is a bit less formal, try hanging pieces to the left or right of center.
7. Mix it up: Elevate your gallery wall collection by using a variety of media – the more eclectic your wall, the more personalized and uniquely yours it will be. Go ahead and mix photos with drawings and paintings, and even throw in a canvas for more variation.
The important thing to remember when creating your custom gallery wall is that there is no specific formula for creating a great-looking display. Sure, it can be intimidating, but don’t overthink it. Just jump in and enjoy the creative process.