How to Hang a Gallery Wall

A gallery wall turns a blank stretch of plaster into something personal: family photos, prints from trips, a child's painting, a postcard you could not throw away. Done well, it looks relaxed and collected. Done in a hurry, it ends up with crooked frames, uneven gaps and a wall full of extra holes. A little planning on the floor before you pick up a hammer makes the difference.

Choose the wall and the mood

Popular spots include the wall above a sofa, the length of a hallway, the area above a sideboard and the side of a staircase. Look at how the space is lit during the day and evening, and avoid placing delicate prints or photos in strong direct sunlight, which can fade them.

Decide on a theme or common thread before you start. It might be a colour, a type of frame, black and white photos only, or simply everything you love. A thread keeps a mixed collection from looking random.

Pick a layout style

Plan on the floor first

1. Gather every piece. Lay all the frames you might use on the floor in front of the wall.
2. Find an anchor. Place your largest or favourite piece first, usually slightly off-centre or at the heart of the arrangement.
3. Build outwards. Add the other frames around it, balancing heavy and light, dark and pale, so no single corner feels crowded.
4. Keep the gaps consistent. Similar spacing between frames ties a varied collection together. A spare piece of card cut to your chosen width works as a quick spacer.
5. Photograph the arrangement. A phone picture lets you rebuild it on the wall without guessing.

Test with paper templates

Trace each frame onto kraft paper or old wrapping paper and cut out the shapes. Turn each frame over, measure from the top edge to the hanging point when the wire or hook is pulled tight, and mark that spot on its paper twin. Tape the templates to the wall with low-tack painter's tape. Live with them for a day; you can shuffle shapes freely and see how the arrangement relates to furniture, light switches and doorways.

As a general guide, many people hang the centre of a group roughly at eye level, and leave a hand's width or so between the bottom frames and the top of a sofa or sideboard. Adjust to the people who use the room.

Pick the right fixings

• Light frames on plasterboard: picture hooks with angled pins, or adhesive strips rated for the weight if you rent.
• Heavier pieces on plasterboard: wall plugs or cavity anchors designed for hollow walls.
• Brick or masonry: a drill with a masonry bit and suitable plugs and screws.
• Mirrors and very large frames: two fixing points rather than one, so the weight is shared and the frame stays level.

Always check the weight rating on the packaging and choose a fixing with a comfortable margin.

Hang it

1. Start with the anchor piece and work outwards, exactly as on the floor.
2. Hammer or drill straight through the marked point on each paper template, then tear the paper away.
3. Hang the frame and check it with a spirit level or a level app on your phone.
4. Stick small felt or rubber pads to the lower corners to stop frames shifting and to protect the paint.

Safety notes

• Before drilling, use a detector to check for hidden pipes and cables, and avoid the areas directly above and below sockets and switches.
• Wear eye protection when drilling into masonry.
• Use a stable step ladder, not a chair, and ask someone to hold large frames while you mark positions.
• Above a bed or a child's cot, choose lightweight frames with acrylic instead of glass, and secure them firmly.

Finishing the room

A gallery wall often looks best on a freshly painted surface, and if the walls need a refresh first, our feature on residential painting covers what to plan for. To anchor the furniture beneath your new display, read how to choose the right rug size. Then step back, enjoy the view, and leave a little space for the next frame you fall for.