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Easy ways to
create a beautiful
gallery wall

Original paintings, old family photographs, fun souvenirs; why keep all the things you love stored away when you can display them all proudly on your walls? Add a little joy to every room (and make a real style statement) with our simple gallery wall guide.

Choosing picture frames for a gallery wall

What images or objects are you planning to feature?

Once you've decided on the look and feel you want to achieve, it's time to do some research; collect your favourite postcards, objects, photographs and prints in a folder for safekeeping, and really take your time to curate an eclectic mix of designs. After that, you can start thinking about the types of frames you'll need, from poster frames to deeper box frames.

Do you want your frames to stand out, or fit in?

Think about whether you want your picture frames to complement or clash against the colour of your walls. Glass or natural wood picture frames will work perfectly with neutral colourways, whereas salvage-inspired black metal frames will make a bold statement on brighter walls.

How big is the wall you want to update?

While a large collection of frames will look great on a big, plain wall, they may look very cluttered or suffocated in smaller rooms. When space is at a premium, opt for a single statement frame, and complement with simple cluster of smaller frames.

Gallery wall styling: ideas & inspiration

Once you've decided on the type of frames you want to use, it's time to decide on a layout. The perfect layout will depend on your wall size, the number and sizes of the frames you want to include and the type of images you want to display. Here are our top six styles:

Centered layouts

To create a centered shape above a sideboard or console, simply start with your largest frame and arrange smaller frames and wall accessories around it.

Formal layouts

For a sophisticated touch, arrange identical frames in a grid format, taking care to make sure the measurement between every frame is exactly the same.

Story layouts

Putting up wedding photos? From walking down the aisle to cutting the cake, show off your favourite memories with a line of matching picture frames.

Irregular layouts

Mixing bright prints, family photos and precious drawings? Create the ultimate feature wall with an informal collection of frame colours and sizes.

Shelf layouts

Make quick and easy changes with a picture shelf, with plenty of space for frames of all sizes, as well as small houseplants and treasured mementos.

Gallery walls with square and circle frames

Adding a large mirror, or a cluster of a small mirrors, to a gallery wall change the feel of a room in an instant, reflecting natural light from windows to create brighter feel. But what do you do if your favourite mirror is a circular shape? Adding a round frame into a gallery wall full of squares and rectangles is not as difficult as you think; use a large mirror as the focal point above a piece of furniture or in the middle of a blank wall, then create a centered layout by arranging smaller frames around it. If you have a number of small round mirrors, an irregular layout is best, placing the mirrors in the right-angled spaces created by two frame edges.

Picture frame hanging tips

So, ready to get started? Here are our three tips for creating the perfect gallery picture wall.

1. Make a mockup of every frame

Take the measurements of every frame you plan to use, and cut out the same shape from a piece of paper, clearly marking what will be in the frame, as well as the colour of the frame and any key colours in the print or photo.

2. Plan your layout

Add masking tape to the back of each piece of paper, then get creative, testing and experimenting with different frame layouts. You can refer back to the notes you made on each piece of paper to make sure colours and frame types are evenly spread out across your wall. When you've settled on a layout and noted the measurements between each frame, take a photo for reference.

3. Start in the centre

When you're ready to begin, start by hanging the frame directly in the middle of your layout, using a spirit level for guidance. Then work your way out, measuring as you go and standing back every so often to check the overall look.

Whether you want to bring a little extra colour to a neutral bathroom, or show off your favourite photographs in your living room, add a striking gallery picture wall to every room of the house with Next. Explore beautifully-designed wood, glass and metal frames in a range of shapes and sizes, as well as must-have accessories including picture shelves and decorative accessories. Find all this and more, including wall art, graphic prints and canvases from East End Prints, Arthouse, Art For The Home and Loveabode.

Easy ways to
create a beautiful
gallery wall

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Easy ways tocreate a beautifulgallery wall

Recently Viewed

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Easy ways to
create a beautiful
gallery wall