How to Create a Stunning Gallery Wall with Wall Art Prints for Your Home

Creating a gallery wall is one of the most impactful ways to personalize your home and display your unique style.

It’s a versatile decor element that can transform an empty wall into a vibrant focal point, telling a story through beautiful wall art prints.

A well-arranged Gallery Wall with Wall Art never goes out of style and offers endless possibilities for creativity.

In this blog post, we’ll guide you through the steps to create a gallery wall with wall art prints that complements your home decor, along with tips on selecting wall art, arranging pieces, and hanging them with confidence.

 

Define Your Wall Art Gallery Style and Theme

Before you begin, take some time to think about the overall theme or style you want for your gallery wall. This will help you create a cohesive look that blends seamlessly with your existing decor. Consider the following:

• Contemporary and Minimalist: opt for simple frames, monochrome art, and clean lines. Black and white photography, abstract prints, and geometric shapes work well for a minimalist theme.
• Eclectic and Bohemian: Mix and match different frames, art styles, and colours. Combine vintage pieces with modern prints for a diverse and vibrant look.
• Rustic and Cozy: Use natural materials like wood frames and incorporate earthy tones. Landscape paintings, botanical prints, and family photos in warm, muted colours suit a rustic theme.
• Coastal and Hamptons: For a coastal vibe, choose art with beach scenes, marine life, and light, airy colours. White or timber frames, with wall art in soft blues, and sandy neutrals will enhance this theme.

Choosing a theme or style will help you narrow down your options and ensure that your gallery wall feels intentional rather than haphazard.

 

Select Your Wall and Measure the Space

The next step is to decide where your gallery wall will go. Popular spots include the living room, hallway, staircase, or above a bed or sofa. Once you’ve chosen the location, measure the wall to determine how much space you have to work with.

• Large Walls: If you have a large wall, you can create a more extensive gallery with multiple rows and columns of art. Consider spacing the pieces more widely to allow each piece to breathe. To allow your eyes to roam around your gallery wall instead of being drawn to the centre, place your largest wall art print off centre and then the smaller pieces around it.
• Small Walls: For smaller spaces, a more compact arrangement works best. You might want to limit the number of pieces or choose smaller wall art prints to avoid overwhelming the area.

Make sure to leave some breathing room around the edges of the wall to avoid a cluttered look.

 

Choose Your Wall Art Prints

The wall art you choose is the heart of your gallery wall. It should reflect your personality, interests, and the atmosphere you want to create in the room. Here are some tips for selecting wall art prints:

• Mix and Match: Don’t be afraid to combine a variety of wall art prints and add 3D objects like sculptures or textiles if that’s your style.
• Colour Palette: Consider the colour scheme of your room when selecting art. You can choose pieces that match your existing decor or use the gallery wall as an opportunity to introduce new colours.
• To create a more curated look for your wall art gallery stick to a colour palette, with wall art prints or frames that are similar in tone. There is no fast and set rule so if you would prefer a variety of colours style with pieces that speak to you.
• Personal Touches: Include personal items like family photos, vacation souvenirs, or pieces created by loved ones. These personal touches make your gallery wall unique and meaningful.
• Vary Sizes: To create a dynamic arrangement, use a variety of sizes. Mix larger statement pieces with smaller artworks to create balance and draw the eye around the wall. To create interest , style with a mix of vertical and horizontal artwork. If you’re unsure where to start, consider investing in a few key pieces that you love and then build the gallery around them.

Framing Options for Your Wall Art Gallery

Frames are an essential part of your gallery wall. They not only protect your art but also add to the overall aesthetic. Depending on your style, use the same frames in the same shape and colour or mix it up with different frames, colours and textures. Round frames also look great with square and rectangle frames.

Here are some framing options to consider:

• Matching Frames: Using the same frames for all your pieces creates a cohesive and uniform look. This is especially effective in a grid layout.
• Mixed Frames: If you prefer a more eclectic style, mix different frame styles and colours. This approach adds visual interest and makes each piece stand out.
• No Frames: For a more contemporary look, consider frameless options like canvas prints or floating frames. This can create a sleek and modern feel.

When selecting frames, consider the colour of the walls and the style of the room. For example, timber frames might suit a rustic or coastal theme, while black metal frames could enhance a modern or industrial space.

 

Plan Your Art Gallery Wall Layout

Planning the layout of your gallery wall is a crucial step that can make or break the final look. There are several approaches you can take:

• Grid Layout: A grid layout is a structured and symmetrical arrangement. It works well with pieces that are the same size and shape. This layout gives a clean and organized appearance, making it ideal for minimalist or modern styles.
• Organic Layout: An organic or freeform layout is more flexible and allows for a mix of sizes and shapes. Start with a central piece and build around it, adding pieces in a way that feels balanced. This layout suits eclectic and casual styles.
• Symmetrical Layout: Similar to the grid layout but with more flexibility, a symmetrical layout involves mirroring pieces on either side of a central point. It works well in more formal spaces or when using pairs of art.
• Structured layout: If you prefer a more structured look in your gallery wall create an imaginary horizontal line and hang your artwork 5cm – 7cm above and below the line.

See our wall art templates and layout ideas below to help you find the perfect wall art gallery with your wall art prints.

 

A Layout Guide for Your Gallery Wall.

Planning is key to a beautiful wall art gallery so we suggest you finalize your gallery wall layout before putting any nails into your wall.

If you already have your artwork:

• Measure the wall space where you’ll be hanging you gallery wall.
• Mark the size of the area on your floor, using painters tape or other tape that is easy to remove from the floor.
• Lay out your wall art pieces on the floor first to see how they look together. Start with the biggest artwork first. Next lay out the second largest artwork and then fill in with the smaller pieces.

Move them around until you’re happy with the arrangement before committing to hanging them on the wall.

If you’re unsure about the placement, try using painter’s tape to create outlines of your frames on the wall. This helps you visualize the arrangement before making any holes.

If you still need to buy the artwork:

• We suggest cutting out the sizes of artwork on large paper (you can tape A4 pages together or purchase large rolls of paper from a stationary store). Use the cutouts to create a layout that you are happy with.
• If you are using paper cutouts, we suggest placing the paper cut-outs on your wall. Give it a day or two before you hang your artwork. This will give you some time to see if there is something you would like to change with the artwork layout before you make holes in your wall.

Gallery Wall Styling Tips

• Start with the Centrepiece: If you have a large or statement piece, start with that in the centre of your layout. This will serve as the anchor for the rest of the arrangement.
• Work Outward: Build your gallery wall by adding pieces around the centrepiece. Place larger pieces first, then fill in the gaps with smaller items.
• Keep It Balanced: Aim for visual balance by distributing colours, shapes, and sizes evenly across the wall. Avoid clustering too many similar pieces in one area.
• Even Spacing: Leave the same sized space around all your artwork to create a balanced look in your gallery wall layout. Many designers recommend a space of around 5- 7cm so that your gallery wall is not overcrowded.
• Visual Reminder: Once you are happy with your layout, take a photo on your phone. That way it makes it easier to remember once you start hanging items on your wall.
• Use a Level: To ensure your art is straight, use a level when hanging each piece. Even slight tilts can be noticeable, especially in a symmetrical arrangement. If your artwork is not too heavy you can also use command strips (purchased from a hardware store) to hang your pictures.

Gallery Wall Layout Templates and Art Frame Sizes.

We have created templates with several ways to layout your gallery wall.

Feel free to download and print our gallery wall templates. The art sizes are a guideline. Change the artwork sizes to suit your wall space.

 

Browse our Wall Art if you're looking for ideas for artwork. Specially made for you here in Australia.

 

Add Finishing Touches

Once your gallery wall is up, step back and admire your work. But don’t stop there—consider adding some finishing touches to complete the look:

• Lighting: Highlight your gallery wall with well-placed lighting. Picture lights, track lighting, or even a floor lamp can draw attention to your wall art and create a cozy ambiance.
• Rearrange as Needed: Don’t be afraid to rearrange pieces if something doesn’t feel right. Gallery walls are meant to evolve over time, so feel free to swap out wall art or add new pieces as your collection grows.

Keep It Fresh

A gallery wall is not a static feature—it can change and evolve with your taste. Here’s how to keep it fresh:

• Seasonal Updates: Swap out pieces to reflect the seasons or holidays. For example, you could add winter-themed wall art during the colder months or bring in floral wall art prints for spring.
• New Additions: As you acquire new wall art or photos, integrate them into your gallery wall. This keeps the space dynamic and reflects your evolving style.
• Rotate Pieces: If you have a large collection of wall art prints, consider rotating pieces periodically. This allows you to showcase different parts of your collection without overcrowding the wall.

Creating a gallery wall is a rewarding project that brings personality and style to your home.

By following these steps and infusing your own creativity, you’ll have a gallery wall that’s not only visually stunning but also a true reflection of who you are.

Whether you prefer a minimalist grid or a lively mix of frames and art, your gallery wall will be a beautiful expression of your personal taste and a captivating focal point in your home.

We would love to see your beautiful gallery walls. Please share them with us in the comments.

Have an awesome day xx

PS: Click here if you would love this Australian Natives Wall Art Gallery Set for your home.