Looking to add some character into your home without having to repaint your walls or apply wallpaper? Maybe it’s time to consider a gallery wall.

By definition, a gallery wall is a group of pictures, art, or even that have been masterfully hung or set up in a wall in your home. While you can definitely place them anywhere, hallways, staircases, or living room walls are some of the most popular places for a gallery wall.

If you’re keen on setting up a gallery wall at home, but feel overwhelmed in starting one, keep reading. There are many unique ways to set up a gallery wall in your home, and you’re sure to find one that you’ll love.

What Can You Put in a Gallery Wall?

What you display on your gallery wall is up to you – and the best part is, there are no right or wrong choices! You can choose to show off photos that remind you of precious family moments, travels, or achievements, artwork that suits your taste and aesthetic, or even fun decor (more on this later).

When picking photos or art though, you want to stick with a theme or a color scheme, so the resulting gallery wall looks more cohesive and not cluttered. However, at the end of the day, you’d want to put up a gallery wall that’s uniquely yours and will make you feel satisfied.

Aside from photos or art, you can hang other items. Here are other gallery wall ideas you may be interested in:

• Mixed media items or decor:

  Break the monotony of a photo- or art-filled gallery wall with some decor, memorabilia, or other similar mementos that can match the aesthetic you’re going for.

• Empty frames:

  A gallery wall with only empty frames? It’s possible! You can start by looking for picture frames (vintage or otherwise) at a store near you. Then, paint them either in a single shade or in a harmonious color palette that compliments your room or space.

• Plates:

  If you have colorful and/or patterned plates you’d rather stare at than eat on, consider displaying them on a gallery wall. Just make sure to securely hang them with plate grips or carefully line them up on a shelf. What’s fun about this type of gallery wall is the potential to update the display if you have newer plates.

• Mirrors:

  A mirror-filled gallery wall can make your room feel more spacious and bounce more light around the room. To achieve a mirror gallery wall, you can either hang a big mirror to serve as a statement piece, or put up mirrors of various designs and shapes for a unique look.

• Hats:

  If you frequently wear hats, a gallery wall filled with them can work double-duty. Not only can they display your hats in a stylish manner, you’ll also be able to access them more quickly, especially when you need to go out. You can hang these pieces using nails, hooks, or via a special wall fixture.

• Fairy or string lights:

  They’re becoming a popular choice, especially for younger people. Not only do they literally lighten up a wall and a room, you can use clips to hang special pictures, smaller art pieces, and trinkets that suit the space’s aesthetic on the lights themselves. Plus, since the clips are removable, it’s possible to change the display at any given time.

How to Set Up a Gallery Wall

Putting up a gallery wall is a process you wouldn’t want to rush, and want to carefully plan out.

Before putting up anything on the walls, decide on the frames you’ll use first and whether you’d want them to stand out or blend in with your walls. Take note that white or neutral-colored frames look good for Scandinavian-style spaces, while black frames fit contemporary, modern, or industrial-themed homes better.

More importantly, you’d want to finalize your gallery wall layout. First, measure the amount of space you’ll be working with and the frames and items you’re displaying. After, plan the final combination of pieces as a reference, whether on the floor, on a planner or notebook, or anywhere you prefer. Consider the following factors when finalizing your layout:

• Spacing or symmetry:

  If you want the gallery wall to look uniform and even, measure the frames prior to hanging and check the spacing in between frames.

• Total amount of items you’ll hang:

  If your photos, decor, or art are similar in size, hang them in groups of even numbers. However, if they’re in different sizes or textures, consider setting them up in groups of odd numbers.

Once you’ve decided what to include in your gallery wall, you can then mark areas of the space where you want the pieces to be. Carefully measure and indicate as well where the potential nail holes will be, so you can start setting up those photos, decor, or art, and get that gallery wall started!

Ready to create a gallery wall that’s uniquely yours? Let Empire Designs. help you conceptualize and set up your home’s gallery wall today!