Gallery Wall Ideas: How to Plan, Hang and Style One

By Saad · Published 3 November 2026 · Curated Home Stories

Quick answer: A gallery wall works when it has a plan. Lay the frames on the floor first, keep 5 to 8 cm between them, share one element such as frame colour, and hang the centre at eye level, about 145 cm from the floor. Start with the largest frame and build around it.

A gallery wall is a collection of pictures, hung together as one display. It is a great way to show photographs, art and memories, and it can fill a large, empty wall. It is also easy to get wrong: uneven spacing, mixed frames and no plan make it look random rather than intentional. This guide shows how to plan, hang and style a gallery wall that looks like it was designed, not just assembled.

Plan the layout on the floor first

Never start by hammering nails into the wall. Lay the frames on the floor first, in the shape you want, and move them around until the arrangement feels balanced. Use paper templates, cut to the size of each frame, and tape them to the wall, so you can see the arrangement without making holes. Step back and look at the wall from the doorway, because that is the view you will live with. A gallery wall that is planned on the floor and tested with paper templates is a gallery wall that will look right when it is hung.

Choose frames that share one element

Frames do not have to match, but they should share one element, such as the same colour, the same wood tone, or the same mount. Matching frames look tidy and formal. Mixed frames look relaxed and collected, but they need a consistent element to tie them together. Use the same mount colour, usually white or cream, for every picture, so the pictures feel like a set even if the frames differ. Avoid a gallery wall with ten different frame colours and no mount, because it will look chaotic. One shared element is enough to make a mixed gallery wall look intentional.

Spacing and alignment

Keep 5 to 8 cm (2 to 3 inches) between frames, consistently, so the gallery wall looks like one display rather than a collection of separate pictures. Align the frames to an invisible grid, or align the outer edges so the arrangement has a clear shape, such as a rectangle or a square. Avoid a gallery wall with uneven spacing, because the eye notices the gaps before it notices the pictures. Use a spirit level, so the frames are straight, and use a tape measure, so the spacing is consistent. A gallery wall with consistent spacing looks professional, even if the pictures are simple.

Start with the largest frame

Start with the largest frame, placed slightly off centre, and build around it. The largest frame is the anchor, and the other frames should support it, not compete with it. Place the next largest frames beside it, and fill the gaps with smaller frames. Keep the arrangement balanced, with a similar visual weight on each side, but not perfectly symmetrical, because a gallery wall should feel collected, not rigid. If the arrangement feels lopsided, move a large frame to the other side, or add a small frame to balance it. Step back frequently, because the arrangement looks different from a distance.

What to include in a gallery wall

A gallery wall can include photographs, art prints, maps, postcards, and small objects, such as a mirror or a woven hanging. Mix photographs and art, so the wall feels personal and interesting, and use a consistent colour palette, so the pictures feel like they belong together. Include a few black and white photographs, because they add contrast and tie the colours together. Avoid a gallery wall with only photographs, because it can feel like a photo album on a wall, and avoid a gallery wall with only art, because it can feel impersonal. A mix of photographs and art, in a consistent palette, is the best combination.

Where to hang a gallery wall

A gallery wall suits a large, empty wall, such as the wall above a sofa, the wall in a hallway, or the wall beside the stairs. Hang the centre of the arrangement at eye level, about 145 cm (57 inches) from the floor. Above a sofa, hang the arrangement 15 to 20 cm above the back of the sofa, and make it about two thirds the width of the sofa. In a hallway, hang the pictures in a straight line, at the same height, so the hallway feels ordered. Avoid a gallery wall on a wall that is already busy, because it will compete with the other elements. One gallery wall per room is usually enough.

Hanging safely and correctly

Use a proper picture hook rated for the weight of each frame, and check the wall type before drilling, because plasterboard needs different fixings from brick. Use two hooks for a wide or heavy frame, so it hangs level and does not tilt. Mark the position of each hook with a pencil, and use a spirit level to check the frame is straight. If you are renting, use a picture ledge, which needs only two fixings, or adhesive hooks rated for the weight on smooth, clean walls. Avoid sticky fixings on fresh paint, because they can pull the paint off. Step back after hanging each frame, and check the arrangement before hanging the next one.

Gallery wall mistakes to avoid

The most common mistakes are no plan, uneven spacing, mixed frames with no shared element, and hanging the pictures too high. Other mistakes are a gallery wall that is too small for the wall, a gallery wall with too many small pictures, and a gallery wall that is hung without paper templates. Fix the plan first, because it costs nothing and makes the biggest difference. A gallery wall that is planned, spaced consistently, and hung at eye level looks intentional, even if the pictures are simple. A gallery wall that is hung without a plan looks random, even if the pictures are beautiful.

Note: measurements and spacing guidance in this article are general design guidance for typical homes, in imperial and metric. Check manufacturer instructions and local building regulations for your specific project, especially for electrical, plumbing and structural work.

← Back to all articles