Turn your home into an art gallery with these creative tricks

A gallery wall is a collection of art, photographs, or mementos in a grouping. Curating your gallery wall can be a very personal expression of yourself or your family.

Whether you just moved into a new home or apartment or have been in your home for years, a gallery wall can be a low-cost, flexible approach to decorating that blank wall.

Tips for creating a gallery wall

Planning

Gallery walls can be more than a simple assortment of paintings or photos. A little planning will help you to design an attractive, well-balanced wall. While optional, having a theme for the wall may be a way to begin your curating process.

• Choose the items you want to hang on the wall. An art collection, photos of the family, a sports collection, or pictures of your favorite places you have traveled are all good places to start. Remember, you make the rules!
• Subject matter can also come into play. If you have chosen a specific theme, you should ensure all the parts work together to reflect that theme. Consider colors, frames, and subject matter that augment your theme.
• The variety of sizes, shapes, and even the colors of the works to be displayed can add character to your creation. You can vary frames in size, shape, and color. You can also use the same frame throughout. Use what appeals to you!
• You can add other things to hang for interest and texture, like a woven mat or wooden or ceramic shape.

Deciding the placement of each piece embodies the heart of the curating process. Some general considerations are to aim for leaving 3″ to 6″ of space between smaller pieces and a bit more space for larger frames. Since holding them up to the wall to determine placement is difficult, here are some ideas on how to determine the layout of your gallery:

• Templates. Measure each frame or lay that frame on a piece of thick paper, such as butcher paper. Trace the frame or draft the frame size on the paper. Cut out the template. Using blue masking tape (this tape will hold the paper up without damaging the painted wall), tape the paper templates to the wall in various patterns until you come upon one you like.
• Floor or Table Layout. Depending on the size of your pieces, you might arrange the frames on a dining room tabletop or the floor in front of the intended gallery wall. If your flooring is too dark or colorful, lay a sheet down first to have a neutral-colored background. This method allows you to move the frames into different patterns more quickly and with less effort.
• Wall Color. A complimentary wall color can enhance your chosen pieces and give your gallery a unique look. Paint Stores provide paint samples and chips. Take the time to lay the samples close to your pieces to see which ones give them an eye-catching pop.

Hanging frames on your gallery wall

Since you will likely hang your gallery on a drywall surface, only some pieces can be centered on a stud. If you’re hanging a piece in front of a stud, then simply put a screw in on a slight angle where you want the piece to hang. If you are hanging pieces on the drywall where there is no stud, here are a couple of techniques:

Consider the weight of the piece to help determine the best hanging method.

• Adhesive hooks. These can work for light objects, typically less than 2 or 3 pounds. The advantage here is that this method does not create holes, which comes in handy if you are in an apartment or dorm.
• Drywall Anchors. These anchors are plastic devices that expand when sunk into a predrilled hole to secure pieces. This method is recommended for heavier frames.
• Monkey hangars- we love these single wire hangars as they are simple to use and leave a small hole.

Curating your own #GalleryWall can be a rewarding way to display your personality for family and guests. We would love to see your Gallery Wall. Share pictures with us at info@rosieonthehouse.com.