We’ve all been there, scrolling through Pinterest or Instagram and all of a sudden a perfect gallery wall catches your eye and you immediately turn to Google and before you know it you’ve added 50 prints to your basket. Gallery walls are an amazing way to bring a collection of your favourite prints together, they can really create a statement or change the look and feel of a room. The great thing is, it doesn’t matter what your style or taste is, a gallery wall can work for everyone. Now for a complete newbie, it can be hard to know where to begin...but, fear not, that’s what we’re here for. We’ve put together a little 5 step guide on how to create the perfect gallery wall, including some of our favourite prints for inspo.
Let’s get stuck right in!
1. Prep is key
Don’t be fooled by those picture perfect images, it may look like they’ve been thrown together with not much thought, but I’m sorry to tell you it’s not that simple. First you need to decide which room you want your gallery wall in. Are you longing for a gallery wall along the staircase, or as a feature wall in your living room. Once you’ve made your decision it’s time to get on the ole Google and Pinterest and get researching. This is useful in helping you pick different styles and colour-ways. Do you want prints with patterns, or quotes, colour or a more muted look? Are you picky when it comes to things looking put together, or are you a lover of all shapes and colours that clash and stand out? These are all things that are worth bearing in mind at the very start.
Lisa’s insta @_lisa_dawson_ is amazing for gallery wall inspo. She has some great tips in her blog, especially when it comes to struggling to find space. Lisa recommends using picture ledges which you can easily find at places like IKEA. These are perfect for moving prints around and if you’re one of those people that changes your mind all the time, this is just the solution for you.
2. Frames
Once you know the look and feel you’re going for, it’s time to think about frames. Using a range of different styles and sizes can really transform your gallery wall. Don’t be afraid to play around with different tones and textures. Memory Box have a great selection, from your classic frames in black and white, to beautifully bright colours like orange and green.
3. Mix & Match
We love to mix and match at EB which will be no surprise to you all. Anything colourful and bold is right up our street. When it comes to your prints and frames, using different sizes and colours is a fab way to really give your gallery wall that extra funk. You might want all of your frames to match, but also don’t be afraid to experiment with different colours and styles.
4. Choose your layout
Right so you’ve decided on your prints and frames, now comes the important part. This is where most people panic and think “where the heck do I even begin” but don’t worry, it doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. First find somewhere you have plenty of space and lay out all your framed prints so you can see them all visually together. Move each piece around and get creative with different variations until you feel completely satisfied with your gallery wall. Remember once they’re on the wall, it’s harder to go back...so no pressure.
TIP: Lay out your pieces on craft paper or newspaper, trace around each one and cut around them to create stencils. With the help of some tape you can then adjust the layout on your walls and see everything visually before you go all MC Hammer on your wall and, before you know it, it’s covered in small holes because you couldn’t decide on where to hang your frames (don’t make the same mistake we did).
5. Time to get hanging!
Once you’re happy with your layout, it’s time to grab your materials and get hanging. We always find it’s best to start with the largest pieces and this will act as your hug to hang the other frames around. Keep in mind the space between each frame and step back from your wall to see how everything looks from afar. Take your time and don’t overthink it! You can keep building out your gallery wall over time, so don’t feel like you have to go hunting through your home to find a piece that will complete a space.
TIP: Did you know the compass app on your iPhone actually has a level on it? Just swipe right on the compass and voila! Use this little guy to make sure each frame you’re hanging is straight.
And there you have it, our top tips for creating an instagrammable gallery wall. If you're looking for a selection of different prints we have you covered here. We hope you found these points helpful and please tag us in your pics!
