12 Gallery Wall Inspirations

butterfly plates hung on wall with blue console table
Photo: Carson Downing

Gallery walls may have been trending for awhile, but there's no reason you should feel stuck in the same rut with your own art collection. Let these ideas inspire you to add unique character and new layouts to a gallery wall in your living room, bedroom, stairwell, and more.

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Neutrals Feel Natural

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In the past, on-trend "anything-goes" gallery walls had a tendency to feel a bit overwhelming. It's easy to combat the chaos by choosing, instead, to run with nothing but neutrals. Here, a collection of black, white, and wood-tone pieces feels cohesive and modern.

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A Delightful Distraction

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Today's updated gallery walls are an excellent distraction from the must-haves in your space—like a television. Just don't go overboard with the overall design. Base the rest of the room in neutrals, as seen here with the simple white drapes and neutral wall color. They help balance the bold artwork.

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Old Made New

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While the design of your gallery wall often drives the aesthetic appeal, the art itself is something to carefully consider. This collection of vintage pieces pairs playfully with new ones for a look that feels fresh and modern. To break up the hard lines, consider taking another cue from this gallery: Add in round plates and other whimsical accessories.

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Make It Flow

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Think outside the box when it comes to hanging your next gallery wall collection. Although hallways and blank walls are natural spots, consider other places, for instance, above your headboard or in the bathroom. By situating the framed pieces in a free-flowing format around furniture and fixtures, they seamlessly integrate into the surroundings.

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A Stairwell to Stare At

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Half the work of building a gallery wall is finding where to put it. Consider working with the often-overlooked stairwell wall for an eye-catching arrangement. The dramatic ascending collection will wow your guests from the moment they spot it.

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Floor to Ceiling

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Why not take things to an entirely new level with your next gallery wall? By hanging pieces in a tight floor-to-ceiling configuration, this complex composition begs to be browsed. It's a great solution for those who have an extensive art collection that would otherwise be collecting dust in storage.

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Mix Large and Little

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There's a misconception that large-scale art should remain separate from small-scale pieces. Not so: There's visual power in the pairing. Extra-large 40-inch framed pieces can sit nicely alongside tiny 8-by-10-inch pieces. To ensure balance, just make sure to limit both your color palette and frame styles.

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Supersize Your Art

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Even when your budget is tight, you can enjoy the fun effects of a gallery wall. Add contemporary appeal by limiting your art to just three or four large-scale pieces. This maximizes the impact of your small collection, but keeps costs low, as you'll only need a few prints or photos to ace the look.

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A Hint of the Unexpected

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If you're looking to add a clever edge to a standard gallery wall, try hanging one unexpected piece to break up the uniformity. In this art collection, a hand painted letter brings a hint of whimsy to the otherwise all-white-framed grouping.

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Tighten the Configuration

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A common mistake in galleries is in the spacing between frames. Instead of giving a wide berth, tighten the configuration so the individual artworks read almost as one large composition.

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Add Inspiration

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A gallery wall doesn't have to be all about you. Instead, make it about what inspires you the most. Pick out a few of your favorite prints from the local crafts store, then hang them in an imperfect arrangement for a gorgeous mix-and-match feel.

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Kids Gallery

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Take the literal route with this DIY gallery wall for your children. Create a space (other than the fridge) where kids can proudly display their artwork. Movable clips make it easy to switch out old creations for new.

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