DIY Gallery Wall Tips

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I {heart} gallery walls. Seriously, folks, it might be heading toward a gallery wall addiction. Or maybe the “collected” gallery look is just completely my style.

{living room gallery wall – i need one more thing to go on the left side}

Gallery walls are an amazing and easy way to deliver huge impact for a reasonable price. I’ve designed gallery walls for clients and family members and I’ve done a few for myself, so I thought I would share a few tips that I’ve learned along the way.

1. Use kids’ artwork or family photos

I’m a huge fan of using what you have! Don’t go out and buy everything new for your gallery wall. Let it reflect you and your family.

2. Find photo frames in your attic or at yard sales

If you have picture frames stashed away in your attic, dig them out, clean them up and even give them new life with a coat of spray paint!  Yard sales and thrift stores are great places to score photo frames. I also love to hit up Hobby Lobby when they have frames 50% off!

3. Shop your house for other objects to hang with your frames

I love the impact that a combination of frames and architectural elements delivers, but you can design your gallery wall any way you want to! It’s your house! 🙂

4. Use Paper Patterns

When I first started designing gallery walls, I traced each photo frame or object onto unprinted newsprint or butcher paper. Then I cut out the shapes and taped them on the wall where I wanted them to go. I love this method because you can stand back and visualize the design and still have freedom to move things around without putting holes in the wall! Easy peasy!

Recently, I fell prey to the gallery wall bug in my bathroom. Ahem. Yes, even in the bathroom. Ha!

{we’re not quite finished with the outlet and light switch – apparently}

I used architectural elements including a piece of the 6o year old hardwood flooring that we tore out of the bathroom, yard sale and thrift store finds and photo frames. I think the vintage medicine cabinet mirror counts too. I love being creative with gallery walls!

I know that decorating with gallery walls might seem intimidating, but it’s really not. Trust me. Start out with the paper pattern trick and you’ll soon be hooked on gallery walls in your home!

Have you decorated with a gallery wall in your home?

Linked to Melissa’s Gallery Wall Party

38 Comments

  1. Yes, I’m working on mine now and am *so close* to revealing it. Just waiting on a photo order to arrive so I can fill the frames. I love how you used lots of other objects as well.

  2. Hi Myra,
    Just popping over from The Inspired Room. It is great to see your gallery wall. Mine is #10.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Gg – Notes on the Journey

    PS. Thanks for the great advice and I love your green desk.

    1. Thanks Glenda! I’m so glad you stopped by! I’m going to check out your gallery wall right now! 🙂

  3. I LOVE your arrangement and all the amazing pieces! One thing I do to make it all easier is to lay it all out on the floor first. That paired with the paper templates will make my next gallery wall MUCH easier! Thanks for the tip!

    1. Thanks Faith! I should have mentioned about laying it all out on the floor first. I do that too and then draw the paper patterns. 🙂

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