How To Create A Gallery Wall At Home

Blank white walls don't exactly inspire that lived-in vibe everyone wants to achieve. After all, nothing makes a house feel like a home more than those personal touches. And wall art in the home is the perfect way to do it. Yes, displaying art at home can be daunting. Where do you start? What do you choose? How do you create that picture-perfect look? We’ve taken the hard work out of creating a gallery wall at home with these simple tips to ensure you avoid mistakes (and avoid creating multiple holes in your walls).

Don’t even think about reaching for the hammer and nails just yet. The most important step when it comes to choosing a spot for your gallery wall is to place it where you’ll be able to enjoy it most. Once you’ve chosen your spot, you’ll see how much space you really have to play with. And then you can get an idea of how many prints you can choose (and how many frames you need to invest in).

This is where it gets really personal. No matter what kind of look you're going for, classic & cool, loud & lively or statement-making, the only thing that’s really important is that you love looking at it. Don’t be afraid to clash your prints with your interior either. It’s important for your gallery wall to stand out on its own and even challenge the other elements on your space.

Not sure where to start? Here’s a few tips for choosing some art

• If you’re filling up a blank wall in a room with a lot of furniture go for large statement prints
• Mix and match styles, patterns & images that reflect your personality
• Don’t just stick to prints either; decorative plates that are simply too good to eat off, interesting objects or even lights will add some punch to your display
• If that all sounds a bit much then go for a theme; travel lover? Think palm trees, maps and holiday snaps. Music aficionado? Find your favorite album cover, song lyrics or instrument. If you’re a member of the fashion pack how about framing a vintage scarf or favorite design

Now you know how much space you have to play with the fun can really begin. Set out the pieces you’re planning on hanging and move them around until you come up with a combination that works. There are no real rules here so place that tapestry next to the graphic slogan and throw that vintage map underneath the moody black and white city scene. It can also help to use some painters tape on your walls prior to hanging so you can get an idea of the finished piece.

Here’s some of our top tips for choosing your layout...

• Keep your prints in a formal grid format for a traditional look
• For an off-the-cuff appearance, begin in the center and make your way outwards
• For a salon-inspired finish, mix and match different mediums, styles & frames
• Hanging over a bed or sofa? Align your layout with the center of the headboard or backrest
• Try keeping larger pieces towards the bottom to ensure it feels lighter on top

Now you can reach for your hammer! Walls can shake when you start hammering so get your nails in first and then start hanging. You wouldn’t want to smash a frame. Walls are rarely straight so take your time and hang by sight, making sure you take a step back and adjust accordingly.

Behold! The fruits of your labor. By now you should have the gallery wall of dreams. If something feels a bit off then adjust where necessary. The beauty of a gallery wall is that it can be updated as often as you like (if you’re so inclined) so every now and then take some time to look at your hard work. And enjoy.