Looking for gallery wall ideas? I’m sharing tips for creating the perfect art wall along with the “before” and “after” reveal of my own!
(post includes affiliate links – full disclosure statement available {here})
Creating a gallery wall can definitely be a bit intimidating. But when you break it down, it’s totally doable (even for the novice decorator!). Today I’m sharing several gallery wall ideas and the tips you need to create them.
1. Create an Eclectic Gallery Wall of Art & Objects
The first gallery wall that I ever created was in our home office. When we first moved into our home, it was simply a big blank green wall:
And this is how it looked after I transformed it with an eclectic gallery wall (after painting the walls Benjamin Moore Nightfall):
Sources: Elephant print | Sunburst mirror | Faux fiddle leaf fig tree (similar) | Other sources are HomeGoods or thrifted finds
Eclectic gallery walls are fun to create because in addition to framed art, you can use your creativity and add a variety of other things you love! For example, I included an oversized lion head door knocker simply because I thought it was a fun find. And the hanging tree slice? It’s actually a cutting board from HomeGoods:
You can also use a mix of frame sizes, colors, and designs for your framed art. I’ve found some great unique frames at thrift stores and flea markets, including the ornate frame around my octopus print which was a $3 flea market find. Your artwork doesn’t have to be expensive either. You can find very reasonably art prints online at Minted {here} and low cost printables on Etsy {here}. Or just go out into your own backyard and find some beautiful leaves or feathers to frame.
When creating any type of gallery wall, one of my biggest tips is to plan it out on the floor before putting any holes in the wall. Simply clear some floor space and tape off the amount of space that you’re working with for your gallery wall. Then play around with the arrangement of your pieces over a few days before deciding where to place everything.
Don’t get stuck on spacing! Eclectic gallery walls should not only have eclectic pieces but also eclectic spacing. About 2-3″ between pieces is a great place to start but then play with your pieces and move them around until they look right to your eye.
You might find that the most eye pleasing arrangement involves eliminating a couple of pieces or hunting for a specific size piece or two to fill any gaps. Once you’ve decided on your final arrangement, cut pieces of kraft paper in the shape/size of your art and tape them on the wall so you can tweak the layout in its final space before hanging your art. You’ll save yourself from filling lots of extra nail holes!
Then all you have left to do is hang everything up!
2. Create a Gallery Wall of Kids Art
Another gallery wall idea is to let your kids’ (or your nieces, nephews, grandkids…) art take center stage! I did this over the daybed on our upstairs landing and was so happy with how it turned out:
I framed art that my girls had created throughout their years in school, including some elementary school pieces. One of the art pieces I wanted to use was too large for the frame that I had so instead of cutting down their original artwork, I made a color copy of it and reduce the size of the image too:
I planned out this gallery wall in the same way as my eclectic gallery wall, by laying everything out on the floor and rearranging it until I found an arrangement I loved:
3. Create a Gallery Wall in a Grid Pattern
If you’re still intimidated by the idea of creating a gallery wall, this simple gallery wall idea might be the one for you! Simply frame art prints in identically sized frames and hang them at an equal distance from one another in a grid-like pattern. This is exactly what I did on our family room TV wall:
Since everything needs to be lined up and evenly spaced for a grid gallery wall, a laser level like {this one} is key (if you’re a gadget person, check out other cool gadgets on Amazon {here}). To plan this gallery wall, I had Jeff hold the laser level while I adhered painter’s tape to the wall along the line of the laser beam. It only took about 20 mins for me to tape out this entire gallery wall:
The prep work was so worth it because my gallery wall was totally level:
You can see more about the art wall around my TV along with more pics of our family room makeover {here}!
I hope that this post has given you some inspiration to create a gallery wall of your own!
sherry hart says
Boom! Kris this is so great…I love all of the things you selected. You now have a perfect space right down to the color of the walls and that gorgeous credenza. Awesome.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks so much Sherry! Thank goodness for this Project Design series – without it I’d never have gotten my mojo together to get that sucker done.
cindy hattersley says
You are positively amazing!! This is beyond clever. I love the combination of elements and how they play against that gorgeous wall color. You really outdid yourself! Thank you so much for being our “den mother” and keeping us all in line!! As I said I want to be you “when I grow up”!!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Do I get a Project Design badge to go on my den mother sash 🙂 Thanks Cindy – it has truly been a thrill for me to be included in this talented group!
Garden, Home and Party says
Kris,
This is wonderful. I love the wall color and you’ve selected the perfect pieces to add interest and depth to that wall. I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and it’s been fun meeting new bloggers to follow. Wall galleries have always drawn my interest…they can do so much for a room.
Karen
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks for the sweet comment Karen – I really appreciate it! It’s been a fun series for me to follow to – I love all of the other bloggers involved!
Design Chic says
I can’t even imagine tackling this. It looks amazing!! Adore the eclectic mix of art, mirrors and wall decor. You make it look effortless!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks so much – that’s high praise coming from you!
classic casual home says
It all looks so pretty on that wall color…just awesome. A fun mix! Good idea about the post with sources. I love this gallery.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks so much Mary Ann! I loved reveal day – everyone’s walls were awesome!
[email protected] Stroll Thru Life says
Love your gallery, it looks amazing and I adore the dark color on you wall. This is really such an interesting and inviting space. Great tips for the gallery too.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Marty – the wall color was one I was really nervous about but it’s become my favorite color in the house!
Karbo says
Looks awesome. I love the sentimental twist with the boat print!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
You and your inside information 🙂
Leslie Harris aka Gwen Moss says
Kris I am in love with your wall. Seriously, I appreciate your collected mix of materials and artwork and it looks absolutely stunning against the dark wall. I agree about the spacing too, these are some wonderful tips. I’m so glad I met you through this project. 🙂
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Ditto Leslie – where has your blog been all my life? 🙂 Love your wall as well and look forward to following along with your future projects!
Taylor Greenwalt says
That looks so good….love the dark wall with all of your pictures.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Taylor!
Kerry says
I’m a sucker for a gallery wall and you did it up right!!! Loving every, single detail, seriously!!
Patty Day says
Looks so put together! Your pieces mix so well and their placement is perfect!!!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Patty – I was tweaking until the bitter end but I’m happy with how it turned out.
Sarah @ 702 Park Project says
Wow!! This looks fantastic! I’m so in love with your office. Now, when can you come do my gallery wall?! 😉
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Sure – you come gut and rebuild a room in my house and I’ll do a gallery wall for you – deal?!
Sarah @ 702 Park Project says
DEAL!
cathy kepley says
Perfection. I absolutely love this gallery wall! The elephant… awesome, the arrow…too cool, the tree slice and cleat….amazing. Thanks for sharing. I have not blogged in 2 years, but found you through the challenge today, so glad I did! Blessings!
Tone on Tone Loi Thai says
What a beautiful, eclectic gallery wall you’ve curated!! And how awesome are you to share those tips! Fabulous, Kris 🙂
Tammy says
AWE – SOME. Love it! I am currently struggling to do not one but two gallery walls, so I needed this post. As a favor to you, I looked at all the other loggers walls, but yours was my fave. Jus’ sayin 🙂
Tammy says
I meant blogger’s walls, in case that spelling faux pas wasn’t obvious!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks so much Tammy – I would still be struggling and tweaking mine (for weeks probably) without this little Project Design challenge – it gave me the kick in the butt that I needed to knock it out. Good luck with your walls – you’ll have to share a pic on IG as part of Best of the Nest at the end of this month or next!
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
Kris, I love how it came out!! The wood tones and organic feel to it, both the items and the shape, is so great against the dark grey and with your console!!!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks so much Lisa – I’m glad I didn’t paint that console in the end!
cassie says
kris, it is AMAZING!!!! i love all of the elements- the texture, metallics, and art!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Cassie – I appreciate it!!
Monica says
Amazing!!! Can you share the color on the wall? I’ve been looking for a great dark color.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Sure Monica – it’s Benjamin Moore’s Nightfall – it’s a nice soft dark gray/light black.
[email protected] says
I looooove this black wall and how the artwork just POPS! So striking – and the wood tones really look amazing as well. Great job!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Jenny – I love that you love it 🙂
Stacey says
Looove the wall color and you did a fab job with the gallery wall! Thumbs up!!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Stacey – now I’m motivated to FINALLY wrap up this room!
Pam @ Simple Details says
Kris, what a beautiful statement for your office! Love how you incorporated the perfect balance of elements to give it such great character! And, that credenza ~ love!!
debra @ 5th and state says
and you are not a professional? i audibly sighed when i saw your wall kris, really interesting, it made me stop and stare. well done!!!
debra
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Wow – what a huge compliment. Thanks so much!
Kelly - Talk of the House says
THIS…this is what I am talking about when I say a “creative gallery wall!” Fabulous job, and I love the three dimensional-ness of it all. And the tone of all your pieces works wonderfully with that dark and handsome wall color. You nailed it girl!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Kelly – so glad to have discovered your blog through this little Project Design series – I love your style!!
Becky // This Is Happiness says
This is amazing Kris! One of the best gallery walls I’ve seen! You rocked it!!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Wow – that’s such a nice compliment. Thank you!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
Kris, I can’t stop looking at this! It’s the perfect mix of colors and tones and textures, and full of so many interesting pieces. Fabulous job!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Jennifer – of course I started out using colorful art and then gravitated back to my neutrals – probably a good thing since I pretty much threw everything but the kitchen sink up on that wall 🙂
[email protected] says
Wow!!! I love everything about this wall and it’s already pinned for future idea stealing! The dark wall and all the different textures while keeping it neutral. This is gorgeous!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks so much Kate – I really appreciate it!
Tracy Laverty says
You had me at the deep dark color on the wall, but then you went and added such a beautiful arrangement of textures and prints too. I love it! It all looks so great above your credenza find. Where did you find your antique gold round mirror? I’ve been looking for something like that. Great job yet again Kris.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Tracy! I got that mirror at the Ballard Outlet years ago but they have a “new” one now that is almost identical to it.
annie diamond says
Kris,
This is amazing! Love your creative mix of art and objects. The dark wall and the beautiful credenza and the little pops of green with the succulents, the branches and the Kate Spade Style book…..all looks so beautiful together.
annie
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
You sure have an eagle eye spotting that Kate Spade book 🙂 Thanks so much – I really appreciate your nice comment.
[email protected]J says
So well done Kris! And, now I am so glad you didn’t paint the side board.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thank you Lauren – I am too!
Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door says
It turned out so great! I love it!! What a great mix.
Dianne says
just wondering how you hung your pictures. command strips, nails? thanks.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
I have an old house with crazy thick walls that are a layer of plaster covered by a layer of drywall covered by a plaster skim coat so I just use regular nails and they hold up even heavy objects really securely. If I was doing this in our previous home that had typical drywall, I would have used screws with anchors (Cobra “wall drillers” always worked really well for me).
Kim Wickert says
Love all of the tips! The wall gallery looks great. I have a wall in my office to try this on and this is great inspiration:)
MilfordsIpswich says
This is just lovely! The pieces, their placements and everything – we especially love the arrow. The change in wall colour was such a good choice too!
Dana Sellers says
I just love this whole thing, Kris. The gallery is beautiful. I was wondering where you got the credenza? This would match the desk in my home office perfectly. Then I could also tweak the gallery in my office to be similar!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks so much Dana! The credenza was actually a Craigslist find so unfortunately I don’t have a source of you. Sorry I can’t help! Good luck decorating your office!
Anonymous says
Shucks. I haven’t struck out completely. Your gallery is awesome! Thanks for sharing it.
Anna says
Love your gallery wall! It’s amazing! My living room accent wall is nearly the same color. What size frames did you use?
Angela says
Hi Kris,
I’m in love with that cabinet but having such a hard time finding it. Is it something you restored or did you buy it? I don’t even know how to identify it but it would be just perfect for my home office as well.
Kris Jarrett says
Thanks Angela! Unfortunately I don’t have a source for you because it was a lucky Craigslist find. I really haven’t seen a similar piece out there – the person I bought it from had had it for over 30 years.