We asked Jessica, one of our lead designers, for her go-to approach to building a gallery wall that feels collected rather than cluttered. Here’s what she shared.
Selecting the Best Pieces
Start by mixing scale. Use your larger pieces as focal points and let the smaller ones accent around them. Jessica tends to keep her large pieces timeless and neutral, then brings in smaller pieces with more color and personality — that contrast is what keeps a wall feeling curated instead of matchy.
- Not every piece needs to share a palette, but if you’re working in an accent color, repeat it two or three times across the wall so it reads as intentional rather than incidental.
- For a layered, eclectic look, mix your frames, like a chunky ornate brass frame next to a skinny matte black one beside some natural wood.
- Don’t limit yourself to photography: landscapes, giclées, acrylic paintings, mirrors, woven pieces, and even a clock can all live together on the same wall, blending old and new.
Pro tip: If you’re including family photos, choose ones that match the rest of the gallery’s palette, or go black and white — it works with almost anything.
Plan Before You Hang Anything
- Measure the wall space you’re working with.
- Gather everything you plan to use and lay it out on the floor or a large table first.
- Play with different arrangements before committing — don’t be afraid to push scale and proportion.
- Mix orientations. A wall of all-vertical pieces reads flatter than one that plays with horizontal and vertical together.
Pro tip: Your largest piece doesn’t have to anchor the center. Try it off to one side, balanced by a cluster of smaller pieces on the other.
Hanging
Keep spacing consistent — we aim for 1.5 to 2 inches between pieces, close enough to feel connected but not so tight that it feels crowded. Hang your largest piece first, then build outward with the smaller ones.
You don’t need everything to align perfectly, but a few pieces that share a vertical or horizontal line will give the whole wall a sense of balance.
Pro tip: Keep a tape measure and a level on hand the entire time — you’ll use both more than you expect.
A gallery wall is one of the easiest ways to bring your story into a room — have fun with it, and trust your eye
As designers, our favorite part of this work is connecting the pieces you love to the story of your home. If you’re thinking about a refresh for one room or a full renovation, we’d love to hear about it — get in touch and let’s make your space (and your life) a little more beautiful.
