Gallery walls are an easy way to create personality on the walls of your home. Painting and wall covering a room can be a daunting task, so instead take a couple hours out of your day to curate a wall of frames! A collection of frames is a common occurrence in my projects, mainly because there are various ways to achieve a beautifully unique design.
DIFFERENT STYLES OF GALLERY WALLS:
THE PICK TWO LOOK: This look is simple and easy! Pick two style frames that are the same size and arrange them in a grid like format. For example, pick a size, lets say 11” x 14” frames, and choose 3 white frames and 3 wood frames. Arrange these frames to be in a 3x2 grid with three white on the top row and three wood on the bottom row. I achieved this look in my Rochester Avenue Project (shown below) and the collection is a show stopper in my client’s kitchen!
THE ECLECTIC LOOK: This is the easiest and quickest way to achieve a gallery wall (especially during quarantine) because you can use and mix what your already have. The gallery wall shown below from my office was created purely because I had so many different style and size frames and I needed to find a home for all of them! For an eclectic look, work with what you have and don’t fret over the fact that they don’t “match”. The key is to keep your frames close together to achieve a beautifully curated focal point on your wall. When trying to create this look, make sure to mix medias. For example, co-mingle family photographs with paintings, prints and graphics. My office gallery wall is a variety of frames, some of which include a canvas painting framed in a blonde wood floating frame, a photograph of my wedding bouquet framed in a burl wood frame and a water color painting framed in a washed white, wood frame.
THE MATCHING, SYMMETRICAL LOOK: Pick one frame style, color and size and mount your frames in a grid format. If you are looking for a linear, clean look, this could be a perfect fit for your space. An example of this repetitive gallery wall look is shown below using rectangular silver frames in my River Avenue Project.
EXAMPLES OF GALLERY WALL STYLES:
SPACING BETWEEN FRAMES:
My typical rule of thumb is to place frames 1”- 2” apart to achieve a clean, crisp look!
8 FRAMES TO ACHIEVE A GALLERY WALL:
ONE - I love a BURL WOOD FRAME! This is the exact frame I have in my office (image above). This framing company is so easy to work with and I love how you can easily frame pictures taken directly from your Instagram account, which is what I did when ordering a couple detail shots from my wedding. Their size options are endless and you can import a JPEG right from your computer or you can mail in your art.
ANOTHER BURL WOOD FRAME OPTION: If you are interested in burl wood frame that has the flexibility to be arranged in a gallery wall OR sit on your table, take a look at THESE FREE STANDING FRAMES that are available in 4x6, 5x7 AND 8x10 sizes.
TWO - This RESIN CORAL FRAME would look sick displayed in a gallery wall. I would recommend going with “The Matching Symmetrical Look” (explained above) and choose the 11x14 SIZE. Who needs wall covering when you can have these gorgeous, textured frames on your wall?!
THREE - This frame is from the same company as #ONE and #FIVE on the list. This GOLD, WAVED PATTERN FRAME would be my choice if you wanted to add a traditional element to the walls of your home. Custom sizes available.
FOUR - This oversized gallery picture frame comes in great sizes to achieve a powerful and statement worthy gallery wall. THIS NATURAL WOOD GALLERY FRAME comes in 20x30, 24x36 x 30x30 AND 30x40.
FIVE - Looking to frame a canvas? This WHITE FLOATING FRAME is a go to for a minimal, modern look! Custom sizes available.
SIX - I couldn’t share some of my favorite frames without including a WICKER SCALLOPED FRAME on the list! I have the same thoughts about this style frame as I do for #TWO; to create a gallery wall with these frames, I recommend “The Matching Symmetrical Look” (explained above) and choose the 11x14 SIZE.
SEVEN - This 11X14 WHITE WASHED WOOD FRAME is part of my gallery wall that is hung in my office! I love the finish and you can’t beat the price. Also available in a 5 x 7 SIZE.
EIGHT - I have these frames displayed in “The Matching, Symmetrical Look” (explained above) in the dining area of my home. I am a big fan of the BLACK WOOD OVERSIZED MATT FRAMES to achieve a clean yet dramatic impact in your home. LINKED HERE is the the 25 x 25 frame that I have in my home. Here is this gallery wall installed in my home:
