Are Gallery Walls Still in Style? Here’s What Designers Say

Aug 30, 2023

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Here's how to make your gallery look chic, not clunky.

Standalone wall art can make a statement in and of itself, however, gallery walls have the ability to portray many aspects of a person’s personality or the overall goal essence of a space. It’s because of this that over the past decade or so, near floor-to-ceiling framed art displays have become commonplace in the home.

“My favorite gallery walls are eclectic, embracing playful tension and friction, evoking a sense of wonder and intrigue,” says Ginger Curtis, President of Urbanology Designs in Dallas Texas. “They continue to be popular as a timeless and versatile design choice, allowing individuals to showcase their unique style and create visually captivating displays in their homes.”

The trick to creating an evocative gallery wall, though, lies within the procurement of pieces. “A well-considered gallery wall can read like a book and they can narrate our clients' story,” says Gillian Gillies, Founder of Gillian Gillies Interiors in Toronto, Canada. “They should feel authentic and have meaning—and not simply be something that has been purchased to fill a wall.” Instead, Gillies suggests acquiring pieces of art from different genres and mediums.

That said, gallery walls are ultimately subjective—it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. “There’s only one golden rule for creating a gallery wall: Choose art that you love that speaks to you,” says Desenio Executive Creative Director, Annica Wallin. “Curating an eclectic mix of different styles creates an intriguing and personal collection.”

An eclectic mix doesn’t necessarily have to mean a variety of different art forms—a beautiful gallery wall could be entirely comprised of prints or a particular style of art, showcased in a rainbow of bright colors or a wave of neutral tones.

When selecting the art for your gallery wall, just remember: “An appealing gallery wall is as much about the sum of the parts as it is about the [individual] parts,” says Steve Hoedemake, architectural partner at Hoedemaker Pfeiffer in Seattle, Washington. “It is an opportunity to tell a story about what appeals to your eye and to take others on a journey in what you have collected and how you have styled it.”

To create a beautifully curated gallery wall, there are a few things you’ll want to keep in mind. They are as follows:

It’s worthwhile to consider the space in which you hope to hang a gallery wall. After all, a bedroom or bathroom may call for something different than, say, a living room, library, or den.

“As a rule of thumb, aim for two key colors as a theme for your gallery wall,” Wallin says. “When choosing these colors, it’s good to consider the color scheme of the room first. Select shades that harmonize with your wall color, furniture, and accessories.”

Gallery walls come in many different shapes and sizes, not to mention different compositions. Where some gallery walls feature nothing more than family photos, others are filled with prints, paintings, and/or 3D elements. While there’s no one right way to approach a gallery wall, the designers we spoke with recommend mixing mediums or selecting a certain palette or theme for your wall.

“In addition to art, consider incorporating other elements like mirrors, wall sculptures, or decorative objects to add depth and texture to your gallery wall,” Curtis says. “Experiment with different themes, mixing vintage and modern pieces, or even adding personal photographs to create a truly unique and meaningful display.”

Showing just how subjective gallery wall composition is, Mimi Meacham, founder and principal designer of Marian Louise Design in Houston, Texas, isn’t a fan of mixing personal photos into a gallery wall.

“A gallery wall should ultimately be a collection of different works of art that inspire and speak to you,” she says. “Colors, sizes, and mediums can vary, but the only thing I'd advise against is mixing in personal photographs with your art wall. Leave those for another space.”

Prefer to let color guide you? “You can also choose a color palette and pick prints based on that,” Wallin says. “Try balancing different types of art prints. Maybe you want to mix your favorite graphic prints with some photography, adding botanical prints, or classic art prints too, depending on your tastes.”

You can mix and match frames in a gallery wall or use the same frame throughout—it all boils down to personal preference.

“The more varied and ‘collected’ the pieces are on your gallery wall, the better,” Meacham says. “Mix in different sized pieces, different frames, different mediums, etc.”

That said, if your gallery wall is bursting with color and different mediums, Curtis suggests opting for coordinating, if not identical, frames. “Frame size and spacing should be varied to add visual interest, but it's essential to maintain a cohesive look by establishing a unifying element, such as a common frame color or style,” she says.

How you space the art on your gallery wall is yet another personal choice. For a more casual approach, opting for three to four inches works; for a more intentional, organized approach, two inches seems to be the sweet spot.

“I am a bit of a rule breaker, but generally we space art about two inches apart on a gallery wall,” Gillies says. “It keeps it looking intentional, instead of just thrown on the wall.”

Not sure if two inches is the right spacing for your gallery wall? Wallin says to start there and consider increasing the layout. “Usually, we would recommend spacing frames two to four inches apart,” she says. “Start with a 2-inch spacing between frames and go from there to find the right feel for your room. You could also try hanging them closer together if your space is smaller—we’d recommend no closer than 1.5 inches, though.”

While it might feel like picking the perfect prints, paintings, and mirrors, and sculptures is the most challenging part of adding a gallery wall to your home, the real labor kicks in when it’s time to hang everything. This is why many designers suggest hiring a professional.

“Getting the pieces level and equally spaced takes precision, time, and skill,” Gillies says. “Work with someone who hangs art for a living and all will be up and level without multiple holes in your walls and a fight with your partner.”

That said, if you’re set on taking a DIY approach to your gallery wall, there are a few helpful tips to consider.

1. Start on the floor. Before taking a hammer and nails to your wall, Hoedemaker suggests laying your gallery wall out on the floor to get a feel for how you want everything to be organized and spaced. Snap a photo of the arrangement before moving on to hanging.

2. Use a template. “The easiest way to hang a gallery wall is to plan ahead and use templates,” Curtis says. “Cut out paper or cardboard templates in the same sizes as your artwork and arrange them on the wall using painter's tape. This allows you to experiment with different layouts without putting unnecessary holes in the wall.” Once you’ve settled on your ideal layout, you can begin hanging.

3. Hang the largest items first. “We tend to start with the larger pieces of art that are going to be more of an investment purchase for our clients or pieces that have high sentimental value,” Gillies shares. “Once we have these anchored then we can add in other filler pieces.”

4. Start from the center and build out. If you don’t want to fuss with templates, Meacham says to hang your central piece of art and move on from there. “I hang the first piece in the center of the wall and start hanging piece by piece outward in each direction,” she shares.

If you’re looking for a great way to infuse your personality into a space, gallery walls remain a popular home styling pick. “Gallery walls provide an opportunity to express your creativity and personal taste,” Curtis says. “Embrace the playful tension and friction by mixing unexpected elements, creating a space that sparks curiosity and captivates viewers. Let your imagination run wild and have fun experimenting with different arrangements and pieces until you achieve a gallery wall that brings beauty, interest, and a touch of wonder to your home.”

Rebecca R. Norris is a full-time freelance writer living in the DC metro area. She writes for a variety of publications, primarily covering women’s interest topics. When she's not writing, she can be found out and about with her Jack-Chi, Cash, sweating her way through an Orangetheory class, or taking it easy with family and friends

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