When you have a large, interior wall in your home, it can be difficult to find a big enough piece of artwork to fill the space without it looking awkward. When this situation arises, a gallery wall is a terrific solution. Instead of hanging a single photo or picture frame, display a number of pieces of various shapes, sizes, and subjects. It makes for an eclectic, attention-grabbing mix. Below are some tips to help you design a gallery wall for your home.

4 Tips for Constructing a Gallery Wall

1. Pick a Color Scheme

Not every painting or photo on your gallery wall needs to be precisely the same hue, but it helps if you choose a primary and secondary color and select pieces that fit them. Color unifies a gallery wall, so the contents appear intentional instead of as a random assortment of pictures. If you don’t have enough pieces that fit your colors, consider coordinating a color scheme with custom matting and framing. This can tie together various types of artwork, making a more cohesive and dynamic collection showcasing all your favorite treasures.

2. Build Around a Theme

Another way to create unity is to choose pieces that relate to the same theme. It could be abstract art, family photos, landscapes, or any other subject you like. You can unify the collection of pieces in coordinating frames for a cohesive look. Guests will find this type of gallery wall an adventure to peruse.

3. Choose a Variety of Items

Not everything you hang needs to be an image in a picture frame. Instead, experiment with other decorations, including mirrors, tapestries, collectibles, and even bowls or platters. Include little shelves for small boxes, figurines, LED candles, or dimensional art (note: It’s not a good idea to use even a tea light near artwork...even a very small flame can cause smoke or heat damage to nearby artwork). The more variety you include, the more visual interest your gallery wall will hold for observers.

4. Plan Before You Hang

It's very unlikely you'll find the ideal assortment and placement the first time around. Before hanging any items, lay them out on the floor or on a large workspace to see how they work together. You may wish to add, remove, or switch items around. If you’re struggling to make a pleasing arrangement, choose one key piece as a focal point and arrange other art around it.

For all the picture frames you need to create a gallery wall, stop by Seattle Custom Framing in Seattle, WA. The shop is run by a certified picture framing specialist with more than twenty years of experience. They also specialize in mirror framing, shadowboxes, and glass replacement. Visit their website to view a portfolio of their custom framing work or call (206) 838-7908 to ask about directions and store hours.