8 Tips for Creating a Wall Gallery with Photos and Paintings

We share ideas for decorating walls with family photos and paintings, taking into account composition and proportions. Hanging pictures is simple, but creating an original and stylish composition can be challenging. We explain how to avoid common mistakes when creating a wall gallery and show successful examples.

Avoid uniform sizes

Let two or three large canvases be the center of your display—they draw attention and focus the eye. Place smaller pictures around them.

Pinterest

Plan the layout

Before hanging pictures and photos, plan their arrangement. Start by sketching the composition with a pencil on paper or laying out images on the floor. Begin hanging from the largest pictures, then group everything else around them.

Pinterest

Pick frames

Decide on their color and style in advance. Use monochrome frames or alternate between several neutral-colored frames. Remember that frames should complement, not steal the spotlight.

Pinterest

Leave space

The distance between framed pictures should be approximately equal. The only exception is thick frames: leave more space around them.

Pinterest

Add details

It's not necessary to hang only paintings and photos. Try adding such elements as mirrors, decorative plates, vintage items, clocks. This will give the gallery a unique look.

Pinterest

Choose the height

Even if a wall gallery consists of many pieces, try not to hang them lower than 60 cm from the floor. Don't overdo it with height: few people find it comfortable to crane their necks just to look at a painting.

Pinterest

Don't overdo the decoration

Filling all wall space is not a good idea—it's a living room, not a museum, and you shouldn't be dazzled by artwork.

Pinterest

Photo cover: Interior Design by Petr Grigoras