1: Understand your space. Are you hanging your pieces in a nook, staircase, above a bed or filling a big blank wall? It’s important to have a grasp on the scale of the canvas (your wall) and the overall finished size you want to achieve. We suggest always planning ahead — maybe use painters tape to tape out your boundaries and laying your frames out on the floor to perfect the arrangement.

2: Collect your content and choose your subject matter. We feel it’s best to have an underlying theme — will you showcase black & white photography, family photos and artifacts, or a mix of paintings and vintage images? Sticking with consistent subject matter will ensure you achieve the best overall look.

3: Choose your frame style and color. Will you be mixing and matching for an eclectic look or keeping it clean with all one color and profile? Sometimes a single solid color frame can help unify your mixed content. Conversely, mix up subject matter and frames for a truly eclectic vibe.

4: Mounting is key. Nothing throws a room off more than improperly hung artwork. We usually stick with keeping the center point around eye level, and then work up and down for your gallery wall. If your gallery wall has paneling, position your pieces to make sure you are emphasizing the design of the paneling. Centering your pieces within a panel is very traditional, while off centering creates a bit of an unexpected element.

5: FINAL TIPS

• Try adding a wall mounted sculpture or mirror to the mix. This adds a little depth and interest!
• Work your gallery around an existing wall sconce. This can help ground the installation, make it feel natural, and give an added light source.
• If you’re going for the organic and collected look, don’t overthink it. Sometimes mismatched spacing can be the most successful.
• Play with matte sizes. A small photo with an oversized matting can make a powerful statement.
• Make your gallery wall three dimensional and outfit your shelving with various sculptures and artifacts to give your space more dimension.