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!
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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.
Need help arranging your art? See my post on gallery wall layouts for ten templates you can steal for your own!
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!
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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!
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!
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!
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 🙂
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!
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!
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.
Kerry says
I’m a sucker for a gallery wall and you did it up right!!! Loving every, single detail, seriously!!
Taylor Greenwalt says
That looks so good….love the dark wall with all of your pictures.
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
Thanks Taylor!
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!
Karbo says
Looks awesome. I love the sentimental twist with the boat print!
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
You and your inside information 🙂
Marty@A 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!
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!
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!
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!
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!
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.