Gallery wall guide
How to Create a Gallery Wall That Looks Intentional
A good gallery wall is planned as one composition. Choose an anchor, map the outside frame sizes on paper and keep the gaps consistent before you put holes in the wall.
01
Choose the anchor first
Start with the largest or most important piece, then build around it. The anchor can be centered over furniture or placed slightly off-center when the surrounding frames balance its visual weight.
Use a mix of portraits, landscapes and graphic pieces only when there is a shared thread: frame color, mat color, subject, palette or spacing.
02
Work from outside dimensions
Cut paper templates to the finished outside size of every frame, including the moulding and mat. Tape the templates to the wall and adjust the arrangement before hanging the real pieces.
Gaps of about 2 to 3 inches create a calm rhythm for many arrangements. Tighter spacing can feel collected; wider spacing gives each piece more independence.
03
Make different pictures feel related
Repeating one frame profile or mat color helps a mixed gallery wall feel deliberate. If you mix mouldings, keep their visual weight compatible and let the art provide the variety.
Photograph the paper layout before removing it. That gives you a reference for the order and helps you remember which frame belongs in each position.
See it before you order
Put the advice into a real frame.
Upload your picture, compare frame profiles and mats, and check the finished proportions before you commit.
Open the frame builderCommon questions
What is the best spacing between gallery wall frames?
Two to three inches is a useful starting point. Keep the gaps consistent, then adjust if a particular frame needs more breathing room.
Do gallery wall frames need to match?
No. Matching one or two elements—such as mat color, frame weight or subject palette—is usually enough to create cohesion.