A few simple tricks for creating a perfect gallery wall.
I’m a tease. There, I admit it. I told y’all I was ready to share our gallery wall at the beginning of last week when my photos from Shutterfly arrived, and then typical perfectionist me decided to spend days picking and tweaking and analyzing. But hark! It is done!
I’m so excited about the naked-wall-that-is-no-more. Surprisingly, I tried a strategy that even hairbrained little me could do to prevent a bajillion nail holes going into our drywall, and that makes it even more exciting.
Two weeks ago, I shared my Distressed Frames that I gave a little makeover with chalk paint and Vaseline, and they worked perfectly to add a vintage flair to our wall. I had seen this gallery wall planning technique on several other blogs, and I gave it a go. And then tweaked it a bit…as I do EVERYTHING it seems. Life’s all about striving for self-betterment, right? That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it.
First thing, I used a roll of old dollar store Christmas wrapping paper to trace and cut out each of the frames for the gallery wall. The entire time I was doing this step, I kept thinking, “Really? Is this necessary? This seems like an obnoxious step. I could just wing it and nail holes where I think the frames look good as I go.” Don’t listen to that voice. This step is worth it to not cut corners. I’m glad I stuck it out, and you’ll see why.
Once your frames are cut out, lay the paper pieces over the frames and mark where to put the nail holes. I also wrote a short description of what the frame was so I could visualize it a little better as I planned.
I used clear tape once I started experimenting with the frame cut-outs on the wall so I could visualize the gallery. The colored painters tape was distracting to me, but if that’s all you have on hand, it still works.
Once I had all of my paper pieces up, I realized I still needed several more smaller frames to fill in the gaps. And I decided to move around a few of them. This was the part when I was SO GLAD I went through the tracing/cutting process of the paper. I would have hated to nail in those frames only to discover I didn’t really 100% love it.
Once I was happy with the frame placement, I recruited Robert, as I usually do (this man deserves an award for putting up with me), to hammer in my nail hole placements. (Okay, I honestly could have done this step but he insisted on helping me because he’s just awesome like that.)
When I was toying around with the frame placements though, I figured out the most efficient way to create the perfect gallery wall.
Staring at that blank wall can be daunting and really confusing on where to even begin, so I started with the biggest frames first as my anchor for the entire gallery. I put those five big frames (in blue below) on the wall first, leaving enough space between for at least a 5×7.
Then, I placed my smaller frames, 8×10 and below, to fill in the spaces between the larger ones.
Β For the last step, I made sure to space out my S initials so that I didn’t end up with any too close together. I paid attention to textures too.
And that was it! It took forever to decide on the photos I wanted for the frames, but it was so much fun taking a trip down memory lane as I sifted through all of them. Do you recognize some of them from our Beach Trip a few weeks ago? Waking up before sunrise was SO worth it for those!
After watching me tweak this thing for a week, even Lola got frustrated with me I think. And then I took about fifty photos of the wall as I marveled over it.
The lower wall of our stairs is still blank, but I’m in search of a dresser or console table of some kind for DVD storage before I can tackle that part. Once I get that figured out, we’ll be able to move the shelves under our TV to the office and start building our faux fireplace. (Did you think I’d forgotten? I told y’all, I’m a tease when it comes to this stuff.) Β This cookie cutter of ours is looking less and less basic, and I’m loving it! Our little home is finally developing some personality.
What do you think? Any tweaking I still need to do? Believe me, I’ll do it.***Update:Β You can check out the full stairwell gallery wall here!
You never cease to amaze! this is brilliant..and I want a cowboy handyman lol. Guess I am going to have to buy the hubby a hat lol. I cant wait to see what you bring this week!! see you tonight!! Jess @liverandomlysimple
Oh my goodness, this is GENIUS! You have just saved my future frustration and swiss cheese looking wall. Having a gallery wall going up my stairs is on my DIY list, but I was loathing starting it. This is such a great idea! Sharing today at The Handmade Hangout at Redouxinteriors and pinning. Thanks!
A lovely personality it is, too! The extra work and patience paid off. I totally agree about spacing things out – and would not change a thing in your final composition. π
Your gallery wall looks great and I you gave some great tips! Your project will be featured this coming Monday night at The Scoop. Thank you for linking up!
Awesome! I just started following you too. I’m diving into your blog right now. Loving it! I’m so jealous of your “Fauxplace”. We’re working on a project similar to something like that.
This looks fabulous! I want to do a gallery wall on the stairs to my finished basement. You have just given me the courage to do it! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Amber! I can’t wait to finish it with the lower wall. I’ll be sure to update as it progresses. Please let me know if you do give it a go too. π
Yay! Thanks for pinning π It took me about 4 months to collect the frames with frequent trips to thrift stores, but part of the fun is the hunt. Let me know when you do one. I’d love to see!
You never cease to amaze! this is brilliant..and I want a cowboy handyman lol. Guess I am going to have to buy the hubby a hat lol. I cant wait to see what you bring this week!! see you tonight!!
Jess @liverandomlysimple
Perfect! By far, one of the best I have seen.
That’s a huge compliment, Tasha! Thanks so much!
I love it and a fabulous tutorial. Can’t wait to feature this next week. Thanks for linking to Inspire Me.
Yay! Thanks so much, Marty!
Your wall looks great! I’m still working on mines and have been FOREVER…lol. I keep changing my mind.
It was definitely hard deciding on a plan. π Thanks for the love, Erlene!
Oh my goodness, this is GENIUS! You have just saved my future frustration and swiss cheese looking wall. Having a gallery wall going up my stairs is on my DIY list, but I was loathing starting it. This is such a great idea! Sharing today at The Handmade Hangout at Redouxinteriors and pinning. Thanks!
Yaaaaay! Thanks so much! Gallery walls are tricky enough but it’s really challenging on stairs. I’m so glad this could help you.
Great tips! Love how your wall turned out…saw it featured at Stone Gable Blog π
Thank you! (Woo hoo! Insert happy feature booty dance.)
Love this!!!
Thanks!
Great wall. I love the frames and finishes. Great tutorial.
Thank you, Katie. I love it too. π
A lovely personality it is, too! The extra work and patience paid off. I totally agree about spacing things out – and would not change a thing in your final composition. π
Thanks, Revi!
Your gallery wall looks great and I you gave some great tips! Your project will be featured this coming Monday night at The Scoop. Thank you for linking up!
Yay! Thank you so so much! You just made my day. π
I absolutely love it. I’m one for “winging it,” so I love the paper set up idea. Now to choose between a million photos to put up π
Thanks! Glad it could help. Choosing the photos was the hardest part for me too but it’s fun to look through all of the fun memories. π
Love it! I think we have similar tastes in style! I followed you so I could keep up!
Kristin
http://Www.thehedgehoglife.blogspot.com
Awesome! I just started following you too. I’m diving into your blog right now. Loving it! I’m so jealous of your “Fauxplace”. We’re working on a project similar to something like that.
Hey, some of your image map links are broken in your social media photo button thingy:(
Oh no! Fixing now! Thanks for letting me know.
I <3 your wall and great technique! Pinned:)
Fabulous gallery wall and wonderful tutorial! Pinning!
~ Ashley
Thanks, Ashley! And thank you so much for pinning!!!
The wall looks fab!!. Great post Lauren. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Michelle!
This looks fabulous! I want to do a gallery wall on the stairs to my finished basement. You have just given me the courage to do it! Thanks for sharing!
Yay! I’m so glad it helped!
Brilliant way to organise it and I love your frames too – must have a go at this. Thank you for sharing Lauren:)
Thank you, Amber! I can’t wait to finish it with the lower wall. I’ll be sure to update as it progresses. Please let me know if you do give it a go too. π
Great tutorial and I love your wall. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Thanks! It was a great link party this week (then again…it is every week). π
I LOVE how it turned out!! I am pinning so I can re-visit once I gather all my frames for my gallery wall!! Thanks for sharing the tips. π
Yay! Thanks for pinning π It took me about 4 months to collect the frames with frequent trips to thrift stores, but part of the fun is the hunt. Let me know when you do one. I’d love to see!
Love the ceiling fan.. Where was it bought? You did a fantastic job. And love all your great finds
Thank you, Carrie! Our ceiling fan is called Harbor Breeze Twin Breeze. I wrote all about it in my post today along with several other ceiling fan favorites: https://www.blesserhouse.com/2015/07/10-stylish-non-boring-ceiling-fans.html I get lots of questions about it.