6 Common Gallery Wall Mistakes to Avoid for a Professional Look
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I’m obsessed with gallery walls! Give me a blank wall, and my first instinct is to cover it with picture frames. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME. My dad always jokes that if a home decor store ever runs out of stock, they should give me a call because I’ve got plenty to spare!
If you're anything like me and can't stop thinking about creating the perfect gallery wall, you're in the right place. In this post, I’m sharing 6 mistakes that are commonly seen. Follow these tips, and trust me, you’ll catch yourself admiring your gallery wall for hours, no exaggeration!
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1. Not Mapping Out The Layout
It’s often tempting to dive right in and start hanging your frames, but taking a moment to plan out your layout can make a huge difference. Without a plan, you risk uneven spacing and awkward frame placement, which can totally throw off the look you’re going for. Plus, given how pricey picture frames can be, this can be a costly design mistake.
To avoid this mistake, use painter’s tape or brown paper cut to the size of your frames to map out the layout on your wall. This way, you can visualize how everything will look before making any holes. Another great approach is to arrange the frames on the floor, just as you want them on the wall, to get a feel for the arrangement. This can save you a lot of time, energy, and frustration!
2. Too Many Frame Styles
If you’re a fan of the eclectic gallery wall style, where multiple frame styles and combinations come into play, avoid mixing too many different frame styles. Just because it’s eclectic doesn’t mean you can throw caution to the wind!
To keep things looking intentional and cohesive, stick to a maximum of three frame styles. For example, you might choose a black matte, a white frame, and a neutral or light wood tone frame. This approach will help ensure your gallery wall looks stylish and well-curated rather than chaotic.
3. Overloading Frames with Too Much Art
We’ve all fallen into the trap of packing every frame with art, thinking it’ll create a vibrant display. But too little negative space can turn your gallery wall into a chaotic jumble. Give each piece of art some room to breathe. Think of negative space as your gallery wall’s secret ingredient. It helps each frame shine and keeps the overall look clean and stylish.
4. Not Enough Spacing Between Frames
This is an easily overlooked aspect of a gallery wall. You might think, “How much could the spacing between frames really matter?” But trust me, it does! Proper spacing can make or break the overall look. As a general rule in interior design, remember to keep a distance of 2-3 inches between each frame. It’s a fool-proof way to achieve that polished, professional look once everything is in place! So when you’re in the layout stage, make sure to place the frames on the floor with 2-3 inches apart.
5. Hanging The Frames Too High Or Too Low
One of the most common gallery wall mistakes that even I use to make is getting the height wrong. I ended up either hanging the frames too high or too low. It might seem like a small detail, but it can completely throw off the balance of the room when you see it from afar.
I then learned that a good rule of thumb is to hang the center of your gallery wall at eye level, around 57-60 inches from the floor. If you’re creating a gallery wall above a piece of furniture, say a couch or a console table, leave about 8-10 inches of space between the furniture and the bottom of the frames. This way, your gallery wall feels connected to the room and not like it’s floating on its own or sinking too low!
6. Inconsistent Theme Of Pictures Or Art
A common mistake I see in a lot of gallery walls is mixing too many themes. There’s family pictures, travel photos, art, all jumbled together. Don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing wrong with grouping all your memories in one place. It’s totally a personal choice! But more often than not, it ends up looking cluttered and all over the place.
A better way to go is to group them into categories so there’s a consistent theme, and the whole thing feels more put-together. For example, a nice set of black-and-white family photos feels so much more sentimental than a colorful chaos that’s just hard to take in all at once. It keeps things clean, and the stories flow better too!
By avoiding these six common gallery wall mistakes, you’ll be well on your way to creating a display that feels cohesive, stylish, and totally YOU!! Whether you're going for a sleek, modern grid or an eclectic, asymmetrical arrangement, a little planning and attention to detail will make all the difference.
Now it’s time to gather your frames, art, and photos and get started! Once you step back and admire your beautifully curated wall, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. Happy decorating!
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