21 Gallery Wall Ideas to Transform Your Space

There's no right way to create a gallery wall — or is there?

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March 20, 2023

By: Kamron Sanders

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Curate the Perfect Gallery Wall

Say goodbye to boring, blank walls and hello to stylish statement walls filled with personality and charm. That's right, we're talking gallery walls. From whimsical and flowy to perfect and polished, there's no one exact way to pull off the look. However, there are a few tried-and-true ways to use gallery walls to enhance your space. Check out our favorite gallery wall styles.

See More Photos: 20 Living Room Wall Decor Ideas That Are Anything But Boring

From: Lucinda Loya Interiors

Disguise Your TV With a Gallery Wall

There's something so unsightly about a blank wall with a TV on it. But, ditching the TV isn't the only way to usher style back into your space. Instead, disguise your TV with a gallery wall and reclaim your wall's stand-out style.

See More Photos: 14 Clever Hidden TV Ideas

From: Mel Bean Interiors

Achieve the Dark Academia Look

In love with the moody academia aesthetic? Say no more. Load up a dark gallery wall with all things thrifted, repurposed, natural and hand-crafted, and don't forget a few faux taxidermy animals.

See More Photos: Decorate With Dark Academia in Your Home

Start With a Centered Focal Point

Not sure where to start with your gallery wall? We suggest choosing a dramatic, centered item to serve as the focal point, then work in complementary pieces around it. Choosing a larger, more impactful piece for the center will anchor the space, making room for smaller pieces around it.

From: Judith Balis

Make Use of Weird Wall Space

The beauty of gallery walls is their adaptability. They truly can work in any space, big or small. So, what to do with the awkward wall space next to your stairs? A gallery wall, of course.

See More Photos: 10 Surprising Designer Tips for Wall Decor

Go for an Eclectic Assortment

If a great-looking gallery wall gives you goosebumps, the fastest (and cheapest) way to collect art for one is to scour your local flea markets, thrift stores and art fairs. Simply pick pieces you like and add to your wall as you find new additions. At first, you may be tempted to buy each piece you find, but you'll become an expert curator of your own personal art gallery.

See More Photos: Wall Art That Pops

From: Brian Patrick Flynn

Or, Stick to a Strict Theme

A gridded gallery wall with a strict theme and palette is a quick way to elevate your living space. To further enhance the look, opt for a wall color that complements the art, as seen in HGTV Dream Home 2023.

See More Photos: Living Room From HGTV Dream Home 2023

Who Wants a Perfect Gallery Wall Anyway?

Creating those perfectly positioned, satisfyingly spaced gallery walls is harder than it looks. So, if you're a perfectionist who is hesitant to start on your gallery wall, this one's for you. Floating picture ledges are your new best friend. Best of all, no pieces are permanently mounted, meaning you can swap them out until you achieve the perfect look.

get the how-to: How to Make Your Own Picture-Perfect Photo Ledge

From: Crystal Sinclair

Contrast a Dark Wall

An easy way to make your pieces pop is by painting your gallery wall's backdrop with a dark color. For even more contrast, choose frames with bold, white mats.

See More Photos: Dark + Dramatic Colors for Any Room

From: Studio Andreea Franca

Family Photo Feature Wall

While hanging family photos on the wall isn't a new concept by any means, the way you go about it can make a major style statement. Placing photos in matching frames and arranging them in a grid gives a formal feel to your space, prioritizing the photo's subject matter and letting each photo's personality shine.

Visually Define Different Areas

Everyone knows area rugs can effectively distinguish spaces within an open-concept home, but what about gallery walls? Designer Heidi Caillier uses a corner gallery wall to establish and anchor the dining area directly adjacent to this quaint living room, visually defining the room's two sides.

From: Heidi Caillier

Match the Frames

To give your gallery wall a cohesive look that accentuates the artwork, match your frames. Sizes can vary but stick with the same color and matboard. This is a great way to display your little artist's latest work, as it lends a formal quality to their colorful creations.

See More Photos: 11 Creative Ways to Decorate With Kids' Artwork

From: Erica Islas

Or, Mismatch the Frames

On the other hand, intentionally mismatching frames can lend beauty and intrigue to your gallery wall, especially when the frames are works of art themselves.

From: Urbanology Designs

Or, Skip the Frames Altogether

This kids' playroom displays art in a minimalist way, using black electrical tape to create a unique gallery wall look. The key to pull off a look like this is to maintain some kind of consistency. Here, the black tape in each corner of each piece maintains a cohesive look throughout the wall.

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Speak Your Mind With Slogan Art

While paintings, prints, and photographs can be great conversation starters, nothing gets people talking quicker than words themselves. Working textual elements into your gallery wall is an effective way to impart your personality in your space.

From: Studio Andreea Franca

Stylishly Showcase a Collection

Without an intentional display tactic, it can be a slippery slope from "collector" to "hoarder." To avoid this fate, create a gallery wall that artfully showcases your prized possessions and go from cluttered to curated.

get the how-to: How to Display Your Collection Without Looking Like a Hoarder

Play to the Space

In a room filled with interesting architectural elements, such as this stunning arched doorway, gallery walls need not steal the show. Instead, opt for a simple, neutral palette that complements the space, letting the built-in beauty of your home take center stage.

From: Brown Harris Stevens Residential Sales, The Hamptons

Combine Function and Form

Unsure of what to feature in your gallery wall? Let the room dictate the pieces. Here, the designers scoured flea markets and antique stores to find the European cutting boards that make a whimsical gallery in the kitchen.

See More Photos: Lakeside Cottage With Vintage European Farmhouse Charm

From: Kandrac & Kole Interior Designs, Inc.

Take It to the Ceiling

With exceptionally high ceilings, flowing upward with a gallery wall will accentuate the height by directing eyes upward. Here, the designer opted for many muted, large-format pieces resulting in a dramatic look that doesn't seem too cluttered or busy.

From: Antonio Martins

Beautify Your Built-Ins

Treat your built-ins like a gallery wall and hang art on the front of the shelves to give them depth and a unique look. Anyone can place books and decor on built-ins, but this trick gives your space a designer edge.

See More Photos: 20 Beautiful Built-Ins

From: Urbanology Designs

Go With a Monochromatic Look

Though this gallery wall has no defining theme in subject matter or frame design, its bold black and white scheme gives it cohesion.

See More Photos: 100+ Fresh Ways to Decorate With Black and White

From: Suzanne Childress

Or, Go All in on Bold Color

Hanging bold, colorful pieces with little-to-no wall space in between them makes for a striking visual. This mounting method results in each piece forming one larger piece, giving the wall a comic-book quality that begs to be read.

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