Issue link: https://www.cominghomemag.com/i/1459209
VALUE«ADD For a look that's classic and fresh all at once, there's nothing quite like a gallery wall. These eye-catching collections of art, photographs, and 3D objects add personality to your space, showcasing a masterpiece that's uniquely you. A gallery wall fills a blank area with visual and textural interest, and produces a striking and dramatic effect. These steps will help you design and hang a gallery wall that'll delight even the most particular guest. 12 Step 1: Curate the Art You don't have to be a designer, artist, or big spender to create a beautiful gallery wall. When curating art for your display, take your time and carefully select pieces that speak to you. You can stick within a certain color palette, choose items that mesh in tone and intensity, or use art with complementary subjects—there are no hard and fast rules. Picture This How to create a gallery wall that never goes out of style. Step 2: Set a Staging Area After you've collected your art and décor, measure the space you want to fill. But don't grab a hammer and nails right away! Using painter's tape, outline a box of the same size on the floor to form a staging area. This staging area lets you play around with placement and avoid making unnecessary holes in the wall. You may want to find a few templates online for inspiration. Step 3: Design Your Space Next, start arranging items on your floor-based staging area. Use your largest piece as an anchor; place it first, then work around it. (Pro tip: don't center the anchor. Instead, offset it, so it doesn't draw all the attention.) Now comes the fun part: configuring the smaller features. The key lies in finding balance, so try to keep any other big items away from the anchor. Include a mix of horizontal and vertical art to create interest. Generally, you should leave two to five inches of space between each object. Too much room or uneven spacing can look messy. To ensure uniformity, use cut pieces of painter's tape as a guide. Step 4: Hang Everything Up Once you're set on a placement, snap a photo of your design to reference as you hang. Then, gather your tools: • Level • Small hammer • Picture nails or hooks • Stud finder • Drywall hangers for larger items • Pencil and eraser Use a level and mark your nail holes before hanging the first few things. If you begin on a slant, it can throw the rest of the gallery off and make it appear crooked. When hanging, start your gallery wall from the bottom up. Building from the lowest row prevents you from running out of room. Working over a sofa? Leave about six inches between the sofa back and the first piece of art. That's it! Four easy steps take your room from drab to fab! What to Include in Your Gallery Wall • Framed art • Family photos • Typography prints • Mirrors • 3D objects • Polaroid pictures • Vintage maps