14 Gallery Wall Ideas and Layouts to Show Off Your Style

Sick of staring at the same blank wall? Or maybe you need a place for your knick-knack collection to live. A gallery wall is a great way to put your personality and style on display. The right gallery wall layout is the perfect way to liven up any common space without the need for a complete living room remodel. Get inspiration for your own display with these gallery wall ideas.

1. Add Depth and Light with Mirrors

This decorative mirror is a bright complement to the framed paintings arrayed on this gallery wall. Look for unusual shapes and sizes for a mirror, and it can double as a functional art piece. If your gallery wall lives in a smaller room, making a mirror the central piece can add the illusion of extra space.

2. Add Texture with Canvas Prints

Canvas prints and paintings add an extra level of color and dimension to any gallery wall. Online printers can easily convert your favorite photos into canvas masterpieces. As an added bonus, the canvas itself lends an eye-catching texture to bare walls.

3. Ditch the Frames with Picture Strings

If a framed print or canvas isn’t your style, create a unique art gallery with a string of photos. This collection of black and white photos hung from wooden clips adds a touch of minimalist flair to a bare wall. It can also be a great alternative to hooks and nails that might damage the wall. To get the most out of your picture strings, coordinate the style with the texture and hue of the wall itself.

4. Break the Monotony with Assorted Frames...

Your choice of frame is just as important as what goes in it. These assorted frames create a sense of rhythm and movement while displaying colorful artwork. When designing your gallery wall, consider what direction you want the eye to travel. Then, arrange your art to guide the viewer along.

5. ...Or Embrace Symmetry with an Orderly Display

If order is more your thing, then lean into it! Symmetry has been shown to be universally pleasing to the human brain. This cube-like arrangement of photos taps into that desire for geometric perfection while adding a splash of bright color to a gallery wall.

6. Make the Room Bloom with a Living Wall

Adding houseplants to a gallery wall can bring a living room to life and make it feel more inviting. Creeping vines and hanging leaves draw the eye in this minimalistic white space. They also provide vivid bursts of green that pair well with natural wood flooring and furnishings.

7. Tie the Room Together with Subtle Color Coordination

Color cohesion can amplify the impact of a gallery wall. The blues in the framed artwork of this gallery wall echo similar shades in the rug, curtain, and various decor. Consider the other objects in your room when deciding what color palette to draw from. Identify a highlight color in the rug, cushions, or elsewhere, then incorporate it into your wall art to make the whole room pop.

8. Display Your Collection on Floating Shelves

This sort of floating shelf arrangement allows for maximum customization. Hang your shelves in whatever way you like, then arrange an appealing display of knick-knacks and decor. Floating shelves have been called "the new gallery walls" because they can display more than just pictures and paintings. Plus, they allow you to move your collection around with minimal effort, so you can change up the display as the year turns for a dynamic, seasonal gallery wall.

9. Pick a Passion for a Themed Gallery Wall

Create a gallery wall that highlights your passions in life, such as the anime theme seen in this technicolor wall layout. A themed gallery wall can be a great addition to a hobby room, studio, or office space. Not only does it show off your interests, it also helps you get in a creative mindset!

10. Make Your Wall Pop with Accent Paint

Something as simple as a new coat of paint can make a gallery wall really pop. It’s also a great alternative to wallpaper, as wallpaper can be fairly expensive to hang. This minimal gallery wall still adds flair to the entire room with a splash of green. Coordinate your paint color with art and objects for an even stronger effect. In this case, the muted olive-green paint is highlighted by the vivid emerald of potted plants.

11. Mix and Match Art and Objects

Find pieces from multiple mediums to get the most out of your gallery wall. This layout combines frames, plants, and hanging decor objects for a look that is both eclectic and eye-catching. Experiment with small pieces and larger objects to find the perfect blend of color, texture, and dimension.

12. Add a Touch of Texture with Natural Materials

This arrangement accentuates a bare white wall with decorative macrame art hung on found wooden sticks. The art pairs with a jungle of houseplants for a dreamy boho bedroom look.

13. Turn Light Into Art with Neon Signs

Neon signs aren’t just for storefronts. This custom sign makes a bold statement while doubling as a source of mood lighting for the room. Many online retailers offer real neon and eco-friendly, less-expensive LED signs. They take custom orders, too, meaning the sky’s the limit when it comes to finding the perfect neon sign for your gallery wall.

14. Create a Playful Atmosphere for Kids’ Rooms

Turn your children’s room into an imaginative playland with bright and quirky gallery walls. This cheerful bedroom display transforms a simple arrangement of hanging art into a storybook scene with a friendly tree mural. Creating a gallery wall layout for children also lets you have fun with brighter color palettes and quirky room decor.

FAQs

What is a gallery wall?

A gallery wall is any collection of items arranged in a group on a wall. Decor could include paintings, tapestries, objects—anything that catches your fancy. They’re also known as “salon walls.” 

Are gallery walls in or out of style?

Thanks to the limitless options for customization, gallery walls never go out of style! It all comes down to your personal preferences. And, because they’re so dynamic, a gallery wall can easily be updated with the latest trends in decor.

What are the dos and don'ts of gallery walls? 

When designing your gallery wall, try to avoid options that are too permanent. Most gallery wall layouts feature paintings, mirrors, hanging plants, or floating shelves—all objects that can be easily moved around. This lets you explore and experiment without making a long-term commitment. 

The exception to this is paint. Explore all your options before settling on an accent color. You don’t want to regret your decision after going through all the trouble of painting a wall.

Can you mix photos and art?

Mixing photos and paintings can create a more visually interesting gallery wall than just sticking with one or the other. Multiple mediums let you discover complementary colors and textures that you might otherwise miss out on. Just remember, there really are no rules, and you should do what makes you happy.