Gallery Wall Ideas — How to Create a Stunning Feature Wall
The Most Versatile Decorating Move You Can Make
A gallery wall works in virtually every room, at every budget, and in every style — from minimal Scandinavian arrangements to layered salon-style collections. It fills large empty walls, adds personality to hallways, and transforms a plain wall into one of the most talked-about features of any home. The difference between a gallery wall that looks intentional and one that looks random is planning — and planning a gallery wall is simpler than most people expect.
Browse our matching wall art print sets — designed by our team specifically for gallery wall use, with prints that are expert-paired for visual cohesion. Or explore our full art prints and framed art prints range to build your own curated collection from scratch. Once your pieces are ready to hang, see our guide on how to hang pictures perfectly for the step-by-step process.
Four Gallery Wall Layouts to Know
Before you start buying frames or marking walls, decide which layout approach suits your space and aesthetic. There are four main gallery wall formats, each with a distinct character and set of practical requirements.
The grid layout uses identical frame sizes arranged in rows and columns with even spacing throughout. It is the most structured and formal approach — works particularly well in contemporary and minimalist interiors, or in spaces where order and precision are valued. Three across by two down, or two across by three down, are the most common grid configurations. The grid is unforgiving of imprecision, so careful measurement and a level are essential.
The salon style — named after the large informal exhibitions of the Paris salons — mixes frame sizes freely, filling the wall from floor to near-ceiling with a dense, layered arrangement of works. It is the most expressive and personal approach, and the most forgiving of imperfect spacing and alignment. Start with your largest piece near the visual centre and build outward, mixing portrait and landscape orientations as you go.
The horizontal row is three to five pieces of equal or similar height hung in a single line — typically above a sofa, console, or bed head. It is the simplest gallery wall format to execute and looks particularly effective in rooms with lower ceilings or long horizontal wall runs. The key is maintaining a consistent top or centre line across all pieces.
The L-shape arrangement runs pieces along two adjacent walls — typically into a corner — or turns a corner on a single wall, creating an L-shaped cluster. This format is excellent for filling awkward corner spaces that would otherwise be difficult to decorate. It works best in medium to large rooms where the corner has enough visual prominence to carry a multi-piece arrangement.
Planning Your Gallery Wall
- Lay all frames on the floor and arrange until satisfied — photograph from above before touching the wall
- Trace each frame onto kraft paper or newsprint, cut out, and tape to the wall for a no-hole preview
- Keep spacing consistent: 5 to 8 cm between frames throughout the arrangement
- Start with one anchor piece — the largest work — and build around it
- Mix portrait and landscape orientations for visual interest in salon-style arrangements
- Use a matching print set to guarantee cohesion if curating independently feels overwhelming
See our complete wall art hanging guide for the no-spirit-level method and step-by-step instructions for transferring your floor layout to the wall with precision.
Frames, Mix, and Matching
The question of whether to match frames or mix them is one of the most common gallery wall decisions. Both approaches can work beautifully — what matters is intention. A set of identical frames in white or oak finish creates a clean, cohesive result where the artworks take centre stage. This is the approach most interior stylists use for Hamptons, coastal, and Scandinavian-influenced interiors.
Mixing frames deliberately — varying finishes within a complementary colour family, such as black, charcoal, and dark timber, or white, cream, and natural — creates an eclectic, collected feel that reads as personal and well-travelled. This suits maximalist, bohemian, and eclectic interiors particularly well. What to avoid is accidental inconsistency: frames that do not match because they have accumulated from different sources over time, without consideration for how they work together. If you are starting from scratch, choosing one frame colour and sticking to it is always a safe approach.
Our matching wall art print sets are designed with gallery walls in mind. The prints in each set are selected and paired by our team for visual cohesion — complementary colours, compatible subjects, and a consistent tonal register. They are ready to arrange as a gallery wall without any additional curation effort on your part. For individual prints that you want to pair yourself, browse our full art prints collection and framed art prints range.
Produced in Australia Since 2015
Olive et Oriel has been producing wall art for Australian homes from studio since 2015. All prints are produced in-house using archival UV-stable inks on museum-quality paper. Our framed art prints are assembled and quality-checked before shipping, and arrive with hanging hardware included. Our matching print sets are designed and curated by our team specifically for gallery wall arrangements — they are one of the most efficient ways to achieve a professional-looking gallery wall without a decorator's eye. Contact our team at help@oliveetoriel.com if you need help planning or sizing a gallery wall for your space.
Our Promise
Every print that leaves our studio is checked for quality before it ships. If something is not right when it arrives, contact us at help@oliveetoriel.com and we will resolve it. We want your gallery wall to look exactly as you imagined it — and we are here to help make that happen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gallery wall?
A gallery wall is a curated arrangement of two or more artworks displayed together on a single wall. It is the most versatile decorating approach available — adaptable to any room size, aesthetic, and budget, from a tight three-print horizontal row to a full salon-style arrangement.
How do I plan a gallery wall without damaging my walls?
Lay your frames on the floor and arrange them. Photograph the arrangement, then trace each frame onto kraft paper. Tape the paper shapes to the wall and adjust the layout until you are satisfied — all before making a single hole. See our full picture hanging guide for the complete step-by-step method.
How much spacing should be between gallery wall frames?
5 to 8 cm is the standard. Tighter spacing (5 cm) reads as structured and deliberate. Wider spacing (8 cm) gives the eye more room. Consistency throughout the arrangement is more important than the exact gap size.
What are matching print sets and why do they help?
Our matching wall art print sets are prints selected and paired by our team for gallery wall use. They share complementary colour palettes, compatible subjects, and a consistent tonal register — so the arrangement reads as curated without any additional effort on your part.
Should all frames in a gallery wall match?
Matching frames in a consistent colour — white, black, oak finish — create a clean and cohesive result. Intentionally mixed frames in a complementary colour family can create an eclectic feel that suits more informal styles. What to avoid is accidental inconsistency from frames sourced at different times without consideration for how they work together.
Where should I start when building a gallery wall?
Start with your anchor piece — typically the largest artwork — and position it slightly left of centre or at the visual centre of the wall. Build the remaining pieces around the anchor, alternating sizes and orientations as you go. Browsing our matching print sets is the easiest way to ensure all your pieces work together before you begin. For more on this topic, see thoughtful art gifts for any occasion.
