A gallery wall can be the perfect way to bring focus to an otherwise boring wall, but when you have multiple frames to style, it can be difficult to know where to put what.
Deciding where to hang a piece of art in your home is a challenge in itself. Whether you believe in Feng Shui or not, placement can make or break the value of your space.
Pictures and artwork can be a great way to inexpensively transform your living room and breathe some life back into the room. The right placement is key.
Luckily, interior designer Kelly Hoppen has shared some valuable advice to help you get your wall hangings perfect the first time, with minimal changes.
Kelly Hoppen’s trick for placing on gallery walls
When it comes to interior design trends and expert tips, Kelly Hoppen is the best person to turn to. On Instagram, Kelly shares her tips and tells how she perfected the gallery wall when decorating musician Boy George’s house.
“You’ll see all these pictures lying around here. We had just started hanging them here for Boy George and even for me it was quite disheartening to see all these pictures suddenly being brought out,” she says.
And although Kelly can envision the exhibition she wants to create thanks to her years of experience in interior design, she points out that there are other ways.
“Another option is to lay everything out on the floor. That way you can see how you want to position everything. No matter how big or small your wall is, that’s probably one way to figure out how to hang everything,” Kelly adds.
If you’re not sure how to combine traditional heirloom frames with modern style, Kelly has some advice for this design fusion, too.
She says, “Another question that is often asked is what happens if some of them are not in the same frame. That’s fine. But then make sure the look is there. Don’t just use any frame, use several different frames mixed and matched so you can see them.”
Sticking to a similar theme for the entire gallery wall will keep things consistent and look effective, but there are other ways to bring your vision to life before you commit to a placement.
Kelly explains: “I would say something else: I always rely on instinct with a piece of art. I look at a wall and think about what I want to see and what size it should be. Then I go and hold it there or have someone hold it so I can look at it and take in the whole space.”
(Image credit: Future)
Now, if you’re wondering how to create an entrance to your living room or perhaps make a statement in your hallway, using the right picture frames can be a brilliant and effective option.
“When I walk in the front door and there’s a wall, it’s very important that what you see means something to you and that you want to see it every day. Because once you hang things up, people generally don’t move them unless you put the art on it, which is another way to do that,” she concludes.
So if you’re having trouble getting yourself to hammer the picture onto the wall, start with test floor plans to determine positioning. You can even test measure your floor plan and see how it will fit on your wall when it’s finished.
If you’re finally ready to take the big step and start creating your gallery wall, here are some of the most helpful products to ensure the whole process goes as smoothly as possible—and, more importantly, that you don’t have to rehang the pictures anytime soon.
Command Picture Hanging Strips, 14 Pairs
RRP: 11,49 € | Whether you rent your home or not, adhesive strips are perfect for temporary decorating, especially if you change your mind frequently. They allow for damage-free hanging and both removal and installation are incredibly easy.
RRP: £6.79 | Nobody wants a crooked gallery wall, and with a spirit level at your side, that’s guaranteed not to happen. This one from Amazon is the perfect size to carry around the house and correct crooked frames.
RRP: 9,99 € | If you’re low on supplies or have never hung a picture before, this picture hanging kit contains everything you need. All parts are made of high-quality stainless steel and the hanging wire is sturdy but flexible.
If your walls are decorated, why not try Kelly’s tip to brighten up your home? The way she uses flowers as decoration will instantly make you want to buy and style bouquets.
