A gallery wall can transform a blank wall into the most talked-about corner of your home — but getting it right can feel daunting. The good news? It's simpler than it looks. Whether you're working with a hallway, a living room feature wall, or the space above your bed, this step-by-step guide will walk you through everything: layout, spacing, framing, and choosing the right art prints to bring it all together.
Step 1: Choose Your Wall and Vibe
Start by picking your focal wall. The most popular spots are above a sofa, along a staircase, in a hallway, or behind a bed. These are high-visibility areas where a gallery wall will have the most impact.
Next, decide on a style direction. A cohesive gallery wall doesn't mean everything has to match — it means there's an intentional thread running through the pieces. Some popular directions:
- Retro & geometric — bold shapes, warm tones, and a nostalgic feel. Our Mid Century Modern collection is a great starting point.
- Botanicals & florals — soft, organic, and timeless. Browse our Floral collection for inspiration.
- Nature & landscape — calming and grounding, perfect for living rooms and bedrooms. Explore our Landscape collection.
- Playful & eclectic — mix animals, patterns, and colour for a fun, personality-filled wall.
Step 2: Plan Your Layout Before You Hang Anything
This is the step most people skip — and the one that makes the biggest difference. Before a single nail goes in, lay your prints out on the floor in front of the wall. Rearrange them until you're happy with the composition.
A few layout rules of thumb:
- Odd numbers of pieces (3, 5, or 7) tend to look more dynamic than even numbers.
- Leave 5–8 cm of space between frames for a curated, gallery-style feel.
- Trace each frame onto paper, cut it out, and tape the templates to the wall before hammering. This saves a lot of patching later.
Step 3: Mix Sizes and Orientations
A gallery wall with all the same-sized frames can look flat. Instead, anchor your arrangement with one larger hero print, then fill in around it with smaller pieces. Mix portrait and landscape orientations to add visual rhythm.
When it comes to frames, you have two approaches:
- Cohesive frames (all black, all white, all natural timber) — looks clean and intentional.
- Mixed frames — works beautifully when the art itself is the unifying element.
Browse our full range of Art Prints to find pieces in a variety of sizes to build your arrangement.
Step 4: Create Colour and Theme Cohesion
You don't need to match colours exactly — you need tonal harmony. Pick 2–3 colours that repeat across your prints, even subtly. A terracotta in one print echoed in the warm tones of another is enough to tie a wall together.
If you're going theme-based, here are some combinations that work beautifully:
- Florals + botanicals for a soft, romantic feel
- Retro geometric + bold typography for a modern edge
- Coastal + landscape for a calm, airy vibe
- Animals + playful patterns for a fun, eclectic look — see our Animals collection
Step 5: Hanging Tips (So You Don't Ruin Your Walls)
Once you're happy with your layout, it's time to hang. A few tips to make it easier:
- Always use a level. Even a slight tilt is noticeable once the print is up.
- Renters: Use adhesive picture-hanging strips rated for the weight of your frames. They're removable and won't damage walls.
- Lightweight prints: A single nail per frame is usually enough. Use the paper template trick to mark your nail positions before committing.
- Eye level matters: Aim to centre your gallery wall at around 145–150 cm from the floor — this is the standard gallery height and feels natural to the eye.
Step 6: Finishing Touches
Once everything is hung, step back and assess. A few finishing touches can elevate the whole arrangement:
- Add a small shelf, trailing plant, or sculptural object at the base of the wall to break up the flatness and add dimension.
- Photograph it in natural light — morning or late afternoon light is most flattering.
- Refresh seasonally by swapping one or two prints. It's an easy way to keep your space feeling current without starting from scratch.
Ready to Start Your Gallery Wall?
The best gallery walls are built over time — you don't need to buy everything at once. Start with two or three pieces that speak to you, hang them, and let the wall grow organically from there.
Browse our Art Prints collection to find your anchor piece, or explore our themed collections for a curated starting point. And when you're done, we'd love to see it — tag us in your gallery wall photos!
