How to Build a Gallery Wall With Art You Love
Some prints make you smile every time you walk past them. Others remind you of a favourite place, bring a little colour into your day or simply feel right in your home. A gallery wall gives those pieces a place together.
You don’t need a huge collection or an eye for interior design to get started. With a few prints you love and a little planning, you can turn a blank wall into something full of personality.
If you’re wondering how to build a gallery wall in your UK home, here’s our step-by-step guide, from choosing your first print to getting the spacing right.
1. Choose your spot
Start by deciding where your gallery wall will live. Above the sofa, along a hallway or beside your favourite reading chair are all lovely places to bring a collection together.
Look at the space around it, too. A wide arrangement can sit comfortably above a sofa, while a narrower group can make the most of a small wall.
Measure the area you’d like to fill before choosing your prints. Leave some clear wall around the edges so the finished display has room to breathe.
A useful starting point: above a sofa or sideboard, try an arrangement around two-thirds the width of the furniture. Treat this as a guide and adjust it to suit your room.
2. Start with one print you love
Choose one piece you’d be happy to see every day. It might be a colourful abstract, a peaceful landscape or an illustration that makes you laugh.
Use that print to guide your next choices. Pick out a colour, mood or subject and look for other pieces that share something with it.
For example, a landscape with soft pink skies could sit beautifully beside a floral print with blush details and a simple burgundy illustration. They don’t need to match exactly to feel at home together.
3. Build a small collection
Three prints are a manageable place to start. Choose a favourite as your focal point, then add two pieces that complement it.
For a larger wall, try five or more prints in a mix of sizes. Varying the scale gives your arrangement interest and helps smaller pieces feel part of the whole.
A simple combination to experiment with is:
- One larger print to anchor the display.
- Two medium prints to build around it.
- One or two smaller prints to finish the arrangement.
Choose each piece because you enjoy it. A shared colour or repeated detail can bring different styles together without making everything feel too uniform.
4. Choose your frames
Frames help connect your collection to the rest of the room.
Matching frames create a consistent finish and work especially well when your artwork includes lots of different colours or styles. Mixing finishes can give the display a more collected feel.
If you’re unsure, start with one finish throughout. Or choose two finishes and repeat each across the arrangement.
Remember to plan using the outside measurements of the frames, rather than the print sizes alone.
5. Test your layout on the floor
Before you reach for the picture hooks, lay your framed prints on the floor within the measurements of your wall space.
Start with the largest piece, then arrange the others around it. Try placing it slightly off-centre for a relaxed layout, or centrally for a more symmetrical display.
Leave roughly 5-8cm between frames as a starting point. You can adjust this for your space, but fairly consistent gaps will help the collection feel connected.
Take a photo of each arrangement. Comparing them on your phone makes it easier to spot which one feels balanced.
Gallery wall ideas for your living room
Need a little inspiration? Try one of these combinations:
- Warm and cosy: soft landscapes, botanical prints and earthy colours with wood frames
- Bright and playful: colourful abstracts, characterful illustrations and a favourite quote.
- Calm and simple: photography, line drawings and a limited colour palette.
- Full of memories: prints of meaningful places alongside artwork that reflects your interests.
Pick up one or two colours from your cushions, rug or curtains to connect the artwork with the room.
6. Make paper templates
Once you’ve chosen your layout, trace each frame onto paper and cut out the shapes. Label them so you know which print belongs where.
Attach the templates to the wall using a removable tape suitable for your surface, testing it somewhere discreet first. Step back and look at the arrangement from the doorway and your usual seat. Check that it feels connected to the furniture below and leaves enough clearance above it.
Adjust the paper shapes until you’re happy. This is much easier than moving fixings later.
7. Hang your gallery wall
For hooks or screws, choose fixings suitable for your wall type and the weight of each framed print. Check for concealed wires and pipes before making holes.
Measure the position of the hanging point on the back of each frame and transfer it to the matching paper template. Hanging points can vary, even between frames of the same size.
Hang your anchor piece first, then work outwards, checking the spacing and using a spirit level as you go.
How to hang a gallery wall without nails
Picture-hanging strips can be an option for suitable frames and wall surfaces. Before using them:
- Weigh each complete frame, including its glazing.
- Check the product’s weight limit, maximum frame size and surface requirements.
- Follow the preparation, application, waiting and removal instructions.
- Check restrictions for wallpaper, freshly painted walls and other unsuitable surfaces.
Adhesive products are not suitable for every wall, and incorrect use can cause damage. Follow the instructions for the exact product you choose.
8. Leave room for new favourites
Your gallery wall can grow with you. Start with a small group you love, then add another piece when something catches your eye.
Keep a photo and the measurements of your arrangement on your phone. When you find your next print, you’ll have a handy reference for choosing its size and frame.
The best part is seeing your own tastes come together: favourite colours, meaningful places and little details that make the room feel like yours.
Find your first pieces
Ready to give that blank wall some personality? Explore our gallery wall collection and find prints you’ll love seeing together.