How to Create a Gallery Wall, The Clever Way

Above, the use of maps achieves this specificity. Perhaps they are places important to the person, or spaces significant to a relationship - either way, if there’s a story behind them it can show new sides of you. So gather your photos into groups, separate into sections of some correlation - it might make your life easier. See these photos of flowers? The orderly arrangement is calming, reminiscent of a garden one would present with pride.

We’ve talked about inspiration and we’ve considered how to get ideas, so let’s get practical. What are you working with? Measure the wall. Twice, just to be sure. Take note of windows and doors; you don’t want to have a door handle smash your hard work. It should also be said to measure your frames, but I’ll assume you’re smarter than me and know that A3 is bigger than A4). 

The largest of your selection should be seen as the centrepiece - it can be helpful to build around it, using it as an anchor of sorts, helping to ensure symmetry and balance.

Use graph paper or a dining table to map out the design. It should be stated at this point that at every step, take a step back (literally) and consider if it’s right or whether you’ve hit a wall (figuratively). It’s much easier to adjust things when the work is horizontal rather than vertical; it’s similar to why we learn to walk before we learn to mountain climb.

Measure the spaces - again, easier to do when the work is on the table in front of you. You want to show the approach hasn’t been scattergun: your goal is to clear the clutter. Observe below: every inch of space is used, without any unsightly space or feeling of claustrophobia. Work with the space you have, not against it. Equally important: no unsightly gaps, or strange spaces. It looks like you’ve ran out of ideas. 

Vary the heights of your pieces - it gives depth and dynamism. As you can see below, the different sizes mean the wall is less of a pyramid and more a presentation. It’s a wonderful way to keep visual interest. 

We’re at the home stretch now (maybe stretch if you’ve been putting all these up too - your shoulders will thank you). Add some lights to add ambience and, well, illuminate your artwork. You don’t want anything overpowering but a little touch can be perfect. 

Finally, step back and adjust. It’s your wall, your design, your place: is it working for you? Are you happy? If not, it’s easy to make a change. A beautiful aspect of this design is if one part doesn’t work for you, replacing it shouldn’t require planning permission or an extended issue - just taking an element down and substituting another in. 

There you have it - a picture perfect presentation that expresses personality, and will be utterly unique to you.