Creating a gallery wall has been on my project list since we moved into this house ten years ago. I keep putting it off because it feels overwhelming–I don’t know where to begin! So I finally enlisted my daughter’s help. It’s always good to tackle big projects with someone else, especially someone you also happen to have fun with and love. She managed the exhibits at an art gallery in town for a few years, so she’s got some chops. With that knowledge and a little research, she figured out the best steps and tips for our space, and came over to help me get started. I hope this post will also help you if you’re trying to figure out how to create a family gallery wall.
Making a House a Home
I’m no designer, but I like to have a home that feels beautiful to me. Cozy. Personal. Welcoming. That means I add design elements slowly and make changes over time. I don’t like to rush into big decor decisions, and I like to hold changes loosely.
For example, a couple of weeks ago, I moved the piano from where it has been since we remodeled. It’s now in a different corner, and I finally took down a giant framed print I was tired of. Ah. I love rearranging furniture and decor. But now, I have this big empty wall, and I realized that THIS is where the gallery should go.
I had a photo wall in the home where we raised our kids. (I don’t call it a gallery wall because I used plastic frames!) My parents always had family pictures and photos of former homes hanging in the hallways. And my sweetheart’s mom put wedding photos from all six of her kids down the staircase across from a collection of other family photos. My kids always paused on the way down those narrow farmhouse stairs to study the faces of their grandparents, dad, aunts, and uncles when they were younger. I long to include that kind of character and history in my own home for my grandchildren.
A family gallery wall is the perfect solution, and I finally have the perfect wall for it. Let’s get started.
Choosing Photos and Artwork for Your Family Gallery Wall
Before you begin, think about the theme, tone, or color palette of your family gallery wall. Will it be all black and white photos of your parents and grandparents? Or will it feature pictures of your kids when they were little? Will you include any artwork? Your kids’ drawings from second grade or your sister’s artwork? Designers recommend creating a color palette and sticking to it rather than using the whole rainbow. Everyone agrees, though, do what makes you happy!
(If you don’t have artwork or photos already picked out, you may want to start with the frames. One blogger argues it’s simpler to create an arrangement with the frames, and then to find artwork to fit the frames. But I already know what pictures I want to include, so that advice wasn’t for me. Maybe it’s for you?
Start by gathering all of the photos and prints you might want to feature. First, pick out the most important–those you absolutely love and want to see often. Then, thinking about the color palette, mix and match photos until you come up with a collection that looks cohesive and feels meaningful.
Tip: Make sure you have a mix of horizontal and vertical photos!
Choosing Frames
You have three options for frames: 1) get all matching frames–same finishes, same colors, 2) go crazy and pick any frame you like or have on hand, or 3) pick 2-3 frame styles that are different but cohesive.
I decided to go with option #3. A suggestion I found really helpful for this approach:
- Frame Style #1: Choose black or white.
- Frame Style #2: Choose a light or a dark wood.
- Frame Style #3 (optional): Choose a more ornate or statement style like gold.
Deciding Your Strategy
The easiest way to layout your family gallery wall is to use a really simple grid layout. However, this only works if all of your photos are the same size. (It’s also really hard to hang. Those lines have to be perfect or you’ll get dizzy when you look at it!)
If you’re not using a bunch of square or 5×7 photos or a simple grid layout doesn’t sound right to you, have no fear. I found a couple of options for planning your layout:
- Use paper templates. Here’s a blog post on how to do this.
- Go simple and use tape to mark the area off on the floor.
We decided to go simple and tape off the floor. I found this blog post by interior designer Emily Henderson really helpful in explaining how to create a gallery wall. I think it applies to family gallery walls, too.
How to Create a Family Gallery Wall: Step-by-Step
Step #1: Gather Your Tools
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Painter’s tape
- Measuring tape
- Level
- Hammer
- Nails/hanging hardware
- Command strips
Step #2: Prepare Your Space
Determine where you will hang your gallery wall. Designers recommend having no more than one gallery wall per room, so that your spaces don’t feel too cluttered.
Once you’ve picked the wall, decide on the space the gallery will occupy. If you’re hanging above furniture, the bottom of your gallery should be about 7-10 inches above the furniture. If you’re hanging on an empty wall, keep the center of the gallery around 57-60 inches from the ground. Knowing this was super helpful for me!
Use painter’s tape to mark the space for your gallery and a level to make sure everything will be even in the end.
Step #3: Layout the Space on the Floor
Measure the box on the wall, and tape off the same size area on the floor nearby. Now you’re ready to start playing with layouts.
Step #4: Start Big
Start with your biggest piece to anchor the wall. If it’s a small gallery wall, place this piece in one of the four corners. If your wall is bigger, place it off-center but not in the farthest corners.
Why? Having the biggest piece off-center leads your eye around the wall, giving all of the photos attention instead of making the biggest piece the focal point. (Isn’t this cool to know!?)
Step #5: Stay Big
Now, place your second largest piece somewhere away from the largest piece for balance. Emily recommends placing it diagonally from your biggest piece, whether that’s close by or on the other side of the wall. Try some different placements and take a step back to see what feels best for balance. Trust yourself. Or a friend.
Step #6: Fill It In
Fill in the gaps with your other pieces. Play with the layout until you’re happy with it. Some tips from Emily:
- Mix your horizontals and verticals throughout the wall. If your biggest piece is vertical, put a couple of horizontals next to it. This is a good way to start moving in from your biggest pieces.
- Create grids within your gallery wall by creating mini collections of 2-4 pieces with similar styles or frames together in a grid.
- Aim to keep 2-3 inches between pieces so there’s enough room for each piece to breathe. If it helps, you can cut a 3” square out of cardboard to use as a guide.
Step #7: Take a Photo
Once you’re happy with your layout, take a photo for reference. Trust me here. Don’t rely on your memory, even if you are younger than I am. You think you’ll remember, and then you’ll forget your perfect layout and lose all your hard work.
Step #8: Hang Your Photos
There are a few ways to hang your photos. Pick what works best for you:
- Measuring and math. My husband’s choice. Too much work for me.
- Eyeball it. A completely valid way to go. (A good friend always helped me with this.)
- Use the tape method. Something new that feels like the perfect middle ground for me.
Step #9: Make the Final Adjustments
Grab your little level (some phones actually have a level) and some command strips. Place a command strip on the bottom of each piece. Use the level to make sure it’s just right, and then stick it in place with the command strip. That way, you won’t have to worry about anyone bumping your photos and knocking things off balance.
Finally, take a step back and enjoy your beautiful work and your beautiful family for years to come. And remember, you can always switch out the photos whenever you crave something different!
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