Though curating a gallery wall with your most-loved artworks is a joyful task, it can be a challenge to strike the right balance between perfectly homely and a museum-worthy masterpiece. But any expert curator will tell you that an exhibition is simply telling a story, and every piece of art you choose to display is a chapter in that story.
In this guide, we have gathered some of our best gallery wall ideas and advice so that you can tell your own unique tale. Just remember though, your life isn’t a permanent display. There are no hard-and-fast rules, so feel free to switch up the look when your style and creative influences change. That way you’ll always feel inspired.
Before you start making holes in the walls, take inventory of what you have to work with by photographing each piece and arranging them into a mood board. This will help you visualise how it will look together.
With the images in front of you, look for the common threads that create a unifying theme. They can be as abstract as you like, but by doing so you’ll find the collection feels natural and cohesive.
Alternatively, start with your furniture as the main inspiration. If the space you’ve designated for your art collection sits above a favourite sideboard, sofa or console table, use this to guide your gallery wall style. A colourful cabinet could be the starting point for a series of vibrant prints. Or a minimalist sofa against a white wall can be the ideal neutral background to showcase an eclectic mix of art.
It’s well-known in the design world that opting for a palette of neutrals and natural materials in the bedroom will have you feeling calm and relaxed – and, speaking from experience, we couldn’t agree more. Bring textures such as raffia, rattan and exposed timber into your room to create that outdoors-in feel, and blend them with cosy blankets, greenery and subtle pops of accent colours with home accessories such as candles and cushions.
The finest museum curators will tell you that lighting is key when it comes to showcasing artwork. Choosing a bright light adds an open feel to the space and can be great for larger rooms or anywhere you want to create the illusion of space. In contrast, darker moodlighting creates more of an intimate feeling, great for a cosy living room or bedroom. Incorporate decorative lighting into your chosen theme will make the entire display feel unique to you.
Match the colour, depth or material of the mirrors to the picture frames you are displaying to lend your gallery wall a sense of cohesion. You can also try positioning a mirror on the opposite wall to a favourite piece – that way it can be enjoyed twice over.
Unless you go for the same size pictures and the same frame sizes, no gallery wall will slot together perfectly – and that’s fine by us. Make the most of those awkward spaces with miniature works of art in the gaps.
We hope you are now ready to take on the challenge of curating a gallery wall of your own. For more artistic inspiration, discover which modern art movement suits your personality on our Pinterest.
