A Gallery Wall: The Final Touch

Photo Source: officialknife.tumblr.com

 

A Gallery Wall: The Final Touch

 

In the living room, the dining room, or the bedroom, a gallery wall is a great and fun way to decorate your interior! It will create a strong focal point, or turn a boring plain wall into a stylish one.

 

Plus, no need to own a collection of one of a kind pieces of art to create a unique and cool gallery wall: your children’s most beautiful drawings, your most cherished family photographs, or even vintage magazines pages will add style and interest to any room.

 

Today, I am sharing with you some of my favourite tips and ideas that will help you achieve a winning combination.

 

THE RIGHT SPOT

Before starting your very own gallery wall, make sure to select the right spot in the house.

 

Preferably choose a large wall where the accumulation of frames won’t be overwhelming. Above the sofa in the living room, or above the bed in the bedroom are good spots for example. Hallways, and stairways are another great spot to decorate with gallery walls.

 

It is best if the wall is painted with a solid color. A dark wall will create a great contrast with white frames and light images. A white wall is always a classic.

Source: Decoist.com

 

Less common, I also love the idea of a gallery wall in the bathroom (especially the kids’ one) for fun and style!

THE RIGHT DISPLAY

Once you’ve selected the perfect place, you need to think of the right display.  Aligning the frames vertically will make the ceiling seem higher.

Aligning the frames horizontally will make the room seem bigger. Hang your frames or objects following an imaginary line in the middle of your wall (you can even trace the line with a pencil first to help). The frames and objects don’t have to be the same size. Variety will create a more graphic result.

 

Source: https://www.ikeafamilylivemagazine.com

 

HARMONY

To achieve the best result, the group of frames, and/or objects should be considered as one unique element. Don’t mix items that are too different! It is best to group frames with the same style or shapes, and pictures or objects by theme, style or color. Whatever you decide to hang, the key of a beautiful gallery wall is harmony.

 

Source: https://www.drivenbydecor.com

I like to use identical frames for my own gallery walls with sets of 4, 9, 12 or 15 frames depending on the space available. The result is both clean and graphic and perfect above the sofa in the living room or in the entryway.

Another more casual alternative to this classic design is to display your collection within the boundaries of an “imaginary” shape – a square, a rectangle, or even a heart.

Source: Apartment Therapy

 

This will allow you some more freedom in the display, but you will have to work around your collection to make sure the result is successful. I suggest you place your collection on the floor before hanging it to adjust the placement of the different pictures, and make sure the final set up is the good one.

 

Below, a pretty collection of small drawings, photographs and postcards collected during different trips abroad are nicely hanged together to decorate the long hallway.

Source: CC interior design

 

LEDGES

Ledges are another great way to display your art or photographs on your walls.

Ledges are very popular now and come in different materials (wood/metal) colors, and prices, whether you buy them at Ikea, Target or Restoration Hardware!

If you don’t find one you like, you can always ask your carpenter to create custom ones. They will perfectly fit any specific space in your house.

 

Just display frames of all shapes and sizes, and even change them regularly according to your mood! Add a few objects and you have a unique décor.

Source: thedenimdaily.com

Source: https://myscandinavianhome.blogspot.com

 

I particularly love ledges above a bed to create a personal and changing bed frame.

PAINTINGS, MIRRORS, PLATES, HATS…?

A gallery wall made of pictures is very popular, but I think that hanging mirrors, baskets, or hats are a cool alternative. In fact, any kind of collection, really, is a good and very personal way to decorate your house!

Source: CC interior design

 

My friend Lilli bought a few years ago a beautiful collection of plates, but she didn’t know what to do with them. Why not use them to decorate her walls?? In her kitchen, or dining room, they would be so cool, and beautiful.

 

Source: apartmenttherapy.com

 

CONCLUSION

The fun part part of creating your very own gallery wall a reality is the many ways you can create collections. You can get really creative with your displays to make a space unique to your personal style and experiences.

As always imagination is a key element in creating a unique décor!

About the Author: Claire Cannesson

 

Claire was born and raised in Paris, France and grew up in an artistic home with frequent visits to art exhibits and cultural events throughout Europe. Art, culture and design made a serious impression on Claire from a very young age. After graduating from a top French Business School, which led to various marketing and communication positions, she worked for an architecture and landscaping firm in Lyon. This experience strengthened her passion for green, efficient, beautiful design and interiors. 

Claire moved to Southern California in 2009, where she now resides, and began to pursue design in a formal fashion and started her own studio: CC interior design.

 

To contact her: claire@cc-interiors.com or visit www.cc-interiors.com

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