A gallery wall is one of the most personal and impactful ways to transform a room. It turns a blank space into a living story, showcasing your personality, travels, and unique style. But for many, the idea of arranging all those different frames, sizes, and pieces can feel overwhelming.
Where do you start? How do you make it look balanced instead of cluttered?
The good news is that creating a beautiful gallery wall is much easier than it looks. It's not about perfect measurements; it's about balance and following a few simple steps. Here is our 5-step guide to creating a stunning gallery wall you'll love.
Step 1: Choose Your Vibe & Curate Your Pieces
Before you hammer a single nail, you need a theme. This will be the "glue" that holds your entire collection together. Ask yourself what kind of feeling you want to create:
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Modern & Minimalist? Stick to simple, matching frames (like all-black or all-natural wood) and a clean, grid-like layout.
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Eclectic & Boho? This is your chance to mix and match! Combine different frame styles, colors, and textures. Mix in mirrors, small wall hangings, or even shallow baskets for a rich, layered look.
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Symmetrical & Traditional? Use matching frames and identical sizing, laid out in a perfect grid. This looks incredible in a formal dining room or hallway.
Once you have a vibe, gather your pieces. Don't limit yourself to just framed art. The best gallery walls have depth. Pull from our Wall Decor Collection and mix in canvas prints, metal art, small clocks, or unique accents.
Step 2: Measure Your Space & Plan the Shape
Decide where your gallery wall will live. Popular spots include the wall above a sofa, along a staircase, or in an entryway.
Measure the total width and height of the space you want to fill. A common mistake is hanging art too high. As a general rule, the center of your entire arrangement (or the center of the anchor piece) should be at "eye level," which is roughly 57-60 inches from the floor.
When hanging above furniture like a sofa or console table, leave about 6-8 inches of "breathing room" between the bottom of your lowest frame and the top of the furniture.
Step 3: Create Your Layout on the Floor
This is the most important step for getting it right with zero stress.
Clear a space on your floor that's roughly the same size as your target wall space. Lay down your "anchor piece" first—this is typically your largest or most important piece. It's often placed slightly off-center to create a more dynamic, natural flow.
From there, build outwards with your other pieces. Play with the arrangement, moving items around until the balance feels right.
Pro-Tip: Keep the spacing between your frames consistent. Aim for 2-3 inches between each piece. This consistency will make the entire arrangement feel cohesive and professional, even if the frames and sizes are all different.
Step 4: The Paper Template Trick
Now for the secret weapon that makes this foolproof.
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Trace each of your frames onto a piece of kraft paper, newspaper, or wrapping paper and cut them out.
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On each paper cutout, measure and mark the exact spot where the nail or hook needs to go.
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Using painter's tape (which won't damage your walls), tape these paper templates to your wall in the exact arrangement you finalized on the floor.
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Step back. Look at it from across the room. Look at it from the side. Does it feel balanced? Is it centered? This is your last chance to make easy adjustments without making a single hole in the wall.
Step 5: Hang, Level, and Admire
This is the easy part. Because you marked the nail spot on each paper template, there is no more guesswork.
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Take your hammer and nail, and nail directly through the marked spot on each paper template.
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Once the nail is in, gently tear the paper template off the wall.
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Hang your corresponding art piece on the nail.
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Use a small level on top of each frame to make sure it's perfectly straight.
Step back and admire your work. You've just created a beautiful, personal, and perfectly balanced gallery wall that looks professionally designed.
Ready to find the perfect pieces for your new gallery wall?
A great gallery wall starts with great pieces. Explore our curated Wall Decor Collection to find unique framed art, modern mirrors, and stunning accents to tell your story.