My gallery wall clients usually reach out because they need help starting at the beginning of the process (finding art). But oftentimes they already have the art and are looking for help with gallery wall layouts.
These questions and comments come up in our consultations:
“Vanessa! I’m sending you a pic of all the art I have. Would any of this work together on my walls?”
“Help, I can’t figure out how to hang the art I already have!”
“I don’t even know how to get started with a gallery wall.”
Can I tell you a secret? I love helping people figure out gallery walls with their own art.
Of COURSE I like creating art for you. I like finding art for you. But the art you already have in your home? You chose it for a reason.
It’s something that speaks to you, and you shouldn’t keep it in your closets taking up space because you aren’t sure how to hang it on the walls.
I can come up with infinite gallery wall layouts, most likely because I’m a Tetris addict and have enjoyed solving puzzles from a ridiculously young age.
You shouldn’t keep art you love in your closet just because you aren’t sure how to hang it in your gallery wall. Try one of these 14 layouts to get started.
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In this post, I’ve pulled from my mind 14 of the most tried-and-true, basic gallery wall layouts that you can apply to any wall in your home.
Let’s get started!
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Baseline
Remember when you were a kid and you would practice drawing your letters starting at the baseline? This is kinda like that.
You’re going to tape off a straight line, then hang art atop and below the line. The art on top is like your ascenders (f, h, l) and the art on the bottom is your descenders (j, g, p).
This division makes your gallery wall look organized, even with different frames or sizes.
Works best with: variety of art, variety of frames, mismatched art, a growing gallery wall (you can keep adding to this).
Try it in the: living room, over the sofa, hallway
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Box
This gallery wall layout is not for the weak of heart. You’re gonna have to have some patience, friend, because you’re going to measure out several different shapes into a perfect box.
You know what, though? It’s going to look really nice when it’s done.
I would start with the biggest piece of art, put it in top righthand corner, then build the rest of the box around it.
I highly suggest planning this one out on the floor before putting any nails in the wall.
Works best with: a cohesive collection, family photos in black & white, one frame color
Try it in the: entry way, foyer, formal dining room, hallway
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Climb
The best way to think of this gallery wall layout is that the bottom should resemble staggering steps … like a stairwell, which is typically where this design looks best.
You can also attempt it around furniture of varying lengths, or above a credenza that has a lamp and plant on it (as seen above).
Works best with: variety of art, variety of frames, mismatched art, a growing gallery wall (you can keep adding to this).
Try it in the: stairwell
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Crown
Welcome to gallery wall layouts, youngling!
This is how you get your feet wet. It’s easy, not intimidating — but if played right, you can make a big impact with this layout.
You’ll need one extra large piece of art, and several smaller pieces that you hang above like diamonds in a crown. I suggest matching frames. Gold if you’re fancy.
This layout is nice for showcasing a painting that you don’t plan on swapping out, plus 3-5 smaller pieces of art that can be seasonal or whimsical and swapped out often.
Works best with: one frame color, one anchor piece + 3-5 transitional pieces
Try it in the: entry way, foyer, living room, children’s rooms, bedrooms
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Eclectic
Depending on your personality, you’re either looking at this one like “YAY” or you’re breaking out in hives at the thought of it.
If you’re saying, “YAY,” then grab all your shapes, all your frames, all your art, and get to it.
Definitely plan it out on the floor first, and leave a couple of inches of space between each frame to let the gallery wall breathe.
Works best with: variety of art, variety of frames, variety of shapes, mismatched art, a growing gallery wall (you can keep adding to this), floor-to-ceiling gallery walls
Try it in the: living room, hallway, a large feature wall
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Grid
If The Eclectic gave you hives, you might be more into The Grid.
My favorite way to use the grid is with family photos, either all color or all black & white.
It’s an easy way to make a family photo collection look cohesive, especially if you use a mix of vintage and new images.
Works best with: one frame color, family photos, concert posters, album covers
Try it in the: living room, hallway, den
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Lean
I’ve been into The Lean lately. If you’re noncommittal about your art, this might be the best place to start.
Just frame it, lean it, and admire it.
You can lean your art on a credenza or shelves on the wall, but be careful of placement if you’re in earthquake country.
Works best with: variety of frames, variety of art, variety of sizes, seasonal or transitional art
Try it in the: living room, hallway, children’s rooms
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Mirror
Here’s a little more of an avant-garde, asymmetrical layout for you.
I like to run a line of smaller art up the middle, then mimic mirror image shapes on either side.
Works best with: one frame color, artwork such as paintings
Try it in the: formal living room or dining room, above a bedroom dresser
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Organic
Otherwise known as the gallery wall classic!
You start with one big piece of dominant art. Then you bring in smaller pieces and wrap them around as you see fit. Leave a uniform space in between frames to keep it cohesive.
This is the best layout for incomplete gallery walls. You can always add another frame to the outside!
Works best with: variety of frames, variety of sizes, mismatched art, a growing gallery wall (you can keep adding to this)
Try it in the: living room, hallway, den, above the sofa, above credenzas, dining rooms, bathrooms, bedrooms … any room
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Pyramid
Another gallery wall lite, friends.
The Pyramid layout is best for a tiny collection of similar art or photos from the same photoshoot.
Works best with: one frame color, cohesive collection of art
Try it in the: bedroom, formal living or dining room, foyer
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Spiral
The Spiral is like The Organic, but more organized.
You’re literally going to take one piece of focal art, then wrap all your other art around it in a circle.
If you look at the image above, you’ll see that I’ve used eight frames of two different sizes to wrap around the center image. Spaced apart just right, this frame size symmetry will make your spiral appear controlled.
You do not have to be so regimented, but just keep in mind your spiral will be less symmetrical if you use a variety of frame sizes.
Works best with: one frame color, 2-3 frame sizes total, variety of art
Try it in the: kids’ bedrooms, living room, hallway, large open walls so you can use large frame sizes
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Stacks
Guys, if you love Tetris, you’ll love this one.
The only way The Stacks looks good and not crazy is if you limit it to three uneven columns.
Works best with: 1-2 frame colors, variety of art, identical frame sizes for each stack
Try it in the: entryway or foyer, above sofa, living room, dining room
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Triptych
If you thought The Crown and The Pyramid were awesomely easy, you’re really going to love this one.
The Triptych is a classic above-the-bed move, and it works especially well for three cohesive pieces of art.
For instance, I have three beach aerial shots above my bed!
Works best with: one frame color, cohesive collection of art
Try it in the: bedroom over the bed, formal living or dining room, foyer
Gallery Wall Layouts: The Waterfall
Let’s get asymmetrical, shall we?
Generally, you center a gallery wall over a piece of furniture. This time we’re going to break the rules and start it slightly off-kilter. Then you’re going to let the art hang down off the side.
Like a waterfall!
Break all the rules with this one. Have fun!
Works best with: variety of frames, variety of sizes, mismatched art
Try it in the: informal, quirky spaces
Gallery Wall Layouts: Where to Find Art
If you need art for your gallery walls, you’ve come to the right place.
- My ultimate free printables resource page!
- Premium printable art in the Little Gold Pixel shop. Download, print and hang it today!
- Check out my style guides, in which I curate art depending on the kind of decor you love (like modern farmhouse, boho or midcentury modern)
- Browse previous versions of the Frame Game, in which I curate free art for readers.
- Swipe my gallery wall process for finding freebie art.
- Don’t know where to start? Book a consultation!
Gallery Wall Layouts: Bookmark for Later
Here are a few images you can pin to find this post later!
