Gallery walls are having a moment and here at thosewhobloom we are firm believers that they’ll never go out of style. Introduced in France in the 1600s and originally termed the Salon Wall, these groupings of beloved pieces of wall art are a timeless way to tell the story of you.
Creating a gallery wall is a great way to add a personalized touch to any room. Striking that perfect balance between cohesion and having just enough inconsistencies for a depth of visual interest can be a challenge, especially considering how many different genres and types of wall art are out there! To ease the tricky and overwhelming process of choosing the perfect pieces for your space, we’ve created this guide full of tips and tricks for selecting artwork that harmonizes just right for a gallery wall.
"Roots", "On my Mind", and "The Fear of the Thing" blend with vintage decor and create fun pops of bright color
Consider the Room’s Aesthetic & Color Scheme
When it comes to selecting artwork for a gallery wall, one of the most important things to consider is the overall vibe that you’re trying to achieve because the artwork you choose should complement the room’s aesthetic. You’ll want to look for art prints that complement the existing style and decor to create a cohesive look that ties everything together. However, don’t overthink this! In modern-day practical homes, you likely have a mix of different styles and types of furniture, but you can absolutely still incorporate a gallery wall and create an eclectic, but still cohesive space.
It’s all about finding a unifier. Think of the feeling you’d like the room to evoke, something like “natural”, “black and white”, “relaxed” or “macabre” and use that to craft your space. It can be anything you want and as broad or specific as you’d like. For example, maybe you’d like your bedroom to help you feel relaxed, the walls are already painted a light sky blue, and you have wooden elements in your furniture. Perhaps your gallery wall theme becomes “Natural Forest” because you feel most relaxed when you are in the forest and your existing decor will harmonize with that theme as well.
If you’re having trouble visualizing what direction you want to go, take a look at our Genres. They’re a great place to start if you’re not sure what type of vibe, theme, or color scheme you’d like to go with, because they pull out like topics and group together some of our many different themes and styles. Our best advice is not to overthink it–it’s ok if your theme is an obvious choice!
Variations in Art Styles and Frame Types
While one very valid way of creating a gallery wall is to stick to artwork from one single artist or medium (We love to see groupings of Rosalie Haizlett’s nature illustrations or Suburban Avenger’s Golden Age Series), varying art styles can add interest and depth to your gallery wall. You can mix and match abstract art prints with illustrations and photography, for example, or consider combining a vintage botanical illustration with a modern screen print of a nature scene to create a unique juxtaposition.
When it comes to framing your art prints, there are a few things to keep in mind. Using a single frame color and style can be a nice way to pull everything together, but it’s not always necessary if you stick to a color palette in your artwork that is unifying already. Sticking to a consistent color palette, such as all black frames or all white frames will create a cohesive look even if the frame styles are different, and picking something commonly found, like black or white frames can make shopping for frames easier. Experimenting with different frame widths, depths, and matting options can be a great way to add visual interest to your gallery wall. thosewhobloom carries the modern, Architect Frame line that comes in nearly every standard size and is a great option for creating a simple, unified, modern gallery wall with either black or white frames.
Consider Size and Placement
When selecting artwork, it’s important to consider the size of the pieces and the placement on the wall. In regards to your space, the size and shape of the wall can change the direction you go when selecting the artwork, as well as the surrounding furniture and decor. A larger wall might accommodate several larger pieces mixed in, while a smaller wall might require a more compact display.
You should also consider the viewing angles from different parts of the room to make sure everything reads well from any angle. Try to avoid hanging pieces too high or too low, unless you’re trying to fill the entirety of the wall. Keeping the center of your gallery wall at around eye level and hanging the most detailed pieces as close to eye level as possible will help increase the visibility of each piece. Pieces with less intricacies will do well towards the top and bottom of the arrangement because they help focus your attention to the center, and you don’t miss out on details that are too far away to see.
Before you start hanging anything on your wall, it can be helpful to lay out your gallery wall on the floor first. This will give you an idea of how the pieces will look together and allow you to experiment with different arrangements without committing to anything. Don't be afraid to leave some breathing room between your pieces to help each piece stand out on its own and prevent your gallery wall from feeling too cluttered. As a general rule, you’ll want to leave at least 2-3 inches of space between each piece. You could try a more symmetrical or gridlike layout with evenly spaced prints, (however, that will likely involve math and measurements to make sure everything is exactly in line) or go for a more organic and free-flowing arrangement, which will give a more whimsical and eclectic vibe.
Creating shelves out of old drawers adds depth and the ability to display beloved treasures alongside thosewhobloom art prints: "The Fire in her Heart...", "Courage" and "The Snake and Fern"
Don't be Afraid to Experiment
One of the best things about creating a gallery wall is that there are no hard and fast rules. You have the freedom to experiment and try something new, so don't be afraid to get creative! The beauty of a gallery wall is that it can be easily changed and updated over time, as your interests, passions and personal taste evolve.
One way to create interest and depth is to consider mixing in other decorative elements, like plants, display shelves, or mounted objects, which can create a unique and eclectic display with various textures. When a friend of mine was creating a gallery wall in her kitchen, she framed recipe cards handwritten by her grandmother and hung them among other pieces of art that fit her colors and decor theme. It was such a cute and personal way to showcase something meaningful to her!
The key here is to have fun and not be afraid to try something new. Your gallery wall should be a reflection of your personal style and taste, so don't worry too much about following rules or trends. By experimenting and being creative, you’ll naturally create a truly unique and personalized display that adds character and interest to your space. And remember– it’s ok if something doesn’t work out! If you select a piece or add an object that just doesn’t look right with the rest of your gallery wall, that doesn’t mean you can’t still hang it elsewhere in the room or another place in your home.
Conclusion
Selecting artwork for a gallery wall can be an exciting process, especially when the options are almost unlimited. If selected carefully, the pieces we add tell a story about who we are as people and what is important to us. Consider the room’s aesthetic, color, art styles, size and placement, and experiment with different combinations to create a unique and personalized display that brings joy to your home every day.
Now it’s time for the fun part! Once you’ve chosen a theme for your gallery wall, and considered the placement and size of the wall you have to work with, it’s time to get shopping! We believe that creating a stunning gallery wall is all about expressing your personal style and showcasing the art that speaks to you. Check out our online shop here at thosewhobloom to browse our collection of 1000+ art prints and start building your perfect gallery wall today!
Bonus Examples!
Here are a few jumping off points for getting started with your gallery wall. These are just ideas–remember to select pieces of wall art that speak to you and represent your personal interests and taste!
For a Natural Appalachian Gallery wall:
These prints harmonize through warm beiges and earthy greens and blues, with a shared subject matter of the appalachian outdoors.
- Reclaim from Jennifer Sneary
- Morel from Rosalie Haizlett
- Walk in the Woods from Jessica Roux
- Stronger from Rosalie Haizlett
- WV Creekbed Stones from Rosalie Haizlett
- Blue Ridge Mountains from Base Camp Printing Co.
- WV Opossum from Logan Schmitt
For a Macabre Gallery Wall:
These prints share a common dark theme and color palette of black & white and muted reds and blues.
- Cauldron's Bottom from Brian Serway
- God of Quiet minds from Brian Serway
- Prudence & Patience from Jessica White
- Apothecary from Veronica Steiner
- Fearherweight from Brian Serway
- Le Diable from Fennec Design
- La Mort from Fennec Design
- Petrified from Brian Serway