Gather your tools.

Before you start working on your gallery wall, make sure you have the necessary materials.

THE CHECKLIST:

• Tape measure 

• Pencil 

• Painter’s tape 

• Craft or butcher paper (printer paper will work in a pinch) 

• Scissors  

• Hammer 

• Nails, picture hooks, and/or wall anchors (if hanging heavy pieces or shelves) 

• Stepstool  

• Level 

Select your art (and décor). 

Variety is encouraged when choosing elements for your gallery wall. Don’t be afraid to mix and match: Ultimately, a balanced, cohesive look is the goal. Choose frames of different styles and orientations, mix in photos and art, and don’t be afraid to add in things like décor, small shelves, or memorabilia (like fabric signage). If you collect pieces that you love, there’s a good chance that they’ll add up to a cohesive look that’s all your own—trust the process. 

Now that you’ve collected your elements—you’ll need a minimum of three—choose a focal point. This is usually the largest piece, which will take its place in or near the center of your vignette. Once that’s in place, you can arrange the smaller elements around the focal point: Which brings us to layout. 

Plan the layout.

To plan your layout, we recommend starting with all of your elements laid out on the floor. Place your focal point in the middle and arrange the smaller pieces around it until you find an arrangement that you like. There’s no exact science here, just aim for an arrangement that feels balanced, leaving a few inches of space between each frame and/or element.  

The next step is optional, but very helpful in executing the layout and marking your nail placement. Trace each frame and/or element on paper and cut out your tracings to create templates. Now you can arrange your templates on the wall to preview the layout and mark nail placement (more on that in a bit). If your focal point piece is too large to trace out on paper, you can use painter’s tape to mark the outline on the wall and then arrange your smaller cut-outs around it. 

Prepare the wall.

Locate the center height for your gallery wall, typically around five feet from the floor. If you’re hanging your gallery wall above a piece of furniture, the lowest point should be 6-8 inches above. Start with the focal point and then move outward. If you’re using painter’s tape to outline your focal point, measure and tape accordingly, then hang your paper templates around it, leaving 2-3 inches of space between.  

To determine where the nail should go to hang a frame, measure between the top of the frame and the hanging hardware or wire when pulled up, taut. Measure that distance down from the top of your desired frame placement—indicated by your paper templates—and mark it in pencil. Don’t worry about getting this exactly right—mistakes happen and are easy to cover up (another benefit of the gallery wall). 

Hang and adjust. 

Once you’ve marked your nail placements, hammer the nails into the wall—through your paper templates, if you’re using—and hang your art, tearing any templates away as you go. Finally, use your level to ensure that your lines are straight.  

STAND BACK AND ADMIRE—AND CUSTOMIZE AS YOU PLEASE. You now have an impressive gallery wall! The best part is that you can add to it as your art collection grows, or swap pieces out. It’s customizable and evolves as your style does.