How to Hang a Gallery Wall

Learn how to hang a gallery wall to create an attractive centerpiece in the room of your choice with these simple steps.

Introduction

A gallery wall can be a stunning design centerpiece in a living room, bedroom, staircase or hallway. With these simple steps, create a masterpiece look with any combination of framed photos, artwork, heirlooms and other hanging décor.

Materials Required

  • Art pieces
  • Hammer
  • Nails
  • Pencil
  • Roll of paper
  • Screws and Anchors
  • Tape
  • Toothpaste

Project step-by-step (7)

Step 1

Gather Your Supplies

Gather your gallery pieces and needed supplies. A gallery wall can look orderly with consistent photos (such as all black and white) or frame styles (such as all wood or metallic), or it can take on a collected look with a variety of hung artwork, colorful photos, frame styles and three-dimensional décor. Just make sure each piece is ready to hang with a proper hanger or hook.

Pro Tip: Gather a variety of sizes of objects from large to small to create an interesting visual hierarchy. 

Gather Your Supplies

Step 2

Prep the Wall

Prep your designated wall. This may mean a fresh coat of paint or a simple touch-up or wipe-down. It may be helpful to move furniture away from the wall temporarily. Use these tips for how to paint a wall quickly.

Pro Tip: Mark where any furniture rests against the wall. This will help to avoid overlapping when determining your gallery layout.

Prep the Wall

Step 3

Make Templates

Trace and cut out all gallery pieces on paper to create templates. Simple wrapping paper will all do the trick.

Pro Tip: Write the name of each paper template after cutting it out to avoid any confusion as to which gallery piece it corresponds to.

Make Templates

Step 4

Mark Nail or Screw Placement

Mark the nail placement on each paper template by laying it over the backside of the frame or artwork and tracing the hanger’s edge. Mark this nail spot with an X.

Pro Tip: You can also place a small dab of toothpaste on the hanger and then press it against the template once it’s on the wall. Remove the frame, and the spot of toothpaste on the template will mark the nail’s placement.

Supplies:

  • Variety of gallery wall pieces
  • Roll of paper
  • Tape
  • Nails or screws and anchors
  • Hammer
  • Toothpaste
  • Pencil

Mark Nail or Screw PlacementPhoto: Teresa Odland

Step 5

Lay Out the Templates

Use tape to layout the templates on the wall, making adjustments until you are satisfied with the overall placement. Anchor larger pieces towards the middle and then fill in outward with medium- and smaller-size pieces.

Pro Tip: It may be helpful to arrange the actual gallery pieces on the floor first and then tape the templates to the wall, copying the floor arrangement.

Lay Out the Templates

Step 6

Add Nails or Anchors and Screws

Once your template arrangement is final and taped on the wall exactly where they will hang, hammer a nail through each template’s marked X. Tear away the paper template and the nail is ready in perfect position to hang each gallery piece.

Pro Tip: Use anchors for heavy pieces and nails for lighter pieces. 

Add Nails or Anchors and Screws

Step 7

Remove Templates and Hang Art

Hang each item in its spot and enjoy your masterpiece!

Remove Templates and Hang Art