Whether you’re displaying artwork on the walls of a hotel or a living room, here are some tips on how to choose art for gallery walls. Generally, keep in mind the following: Mix up sizes, orientations, and media. Consider lighting and color palette. Choose a consistent frame color to keep the art cohesive. Then, choose a variety of mediums to complement the overall look of your room.
Mix up sizes and orientations
You can mix up size and orientation when choosing art for a gallery wall, so that the artwork stands out from one another. Don’t feel like you have to use the same size and shape for each piece; just eyeball the spacing between them to create a pleasing look. If you’re unsure of how to space the artwork, use an anchor piece as a guide. In a gallery wall, you can hang three to four pieces at a time, which is great for hallways or above a couch.
If you are putting up a gallery wall, try mixing up sizes and orientations. Choose pieces that complement each other. Choose pieces that have some common element, such as the same color or style. Mix up sizes and orientations to keep the gallery wall feeling cohesive. Also, make sure to leave room for other items such as family momentos. For example, if you’re planning to hang black and white artwork on your wall, mix up their sizes and orientations.
When selecting art for your gallery wall, mix up sizes and orientations. If the gallery wall is above furniture, the center point of the lowest frame should hang approximately seven to 10 inches from the floor. If the gallery wall is on an empty wall, the center should hang at 57 inches from the floor. The bottom of the lowest frame should hang at eye level. If the gallery wall is hanging over an empty wall, it should hang at eye level.
The key to creating an attractive gallery wall is mixing up sizes and orientations. Ideally, your gallery wall will include some pieces that are horizontal and vertical. You might even want to use an oddly shaped piece, like a framed canvas. You can also rotate items around to make sure they stand out. But keep in mind that the more unconventional the piece, the better. In general, this rule applies to all types of art, including gallery walls.
Include a mix of media
Incorporate a mix of media in your gallery wall design. While you can use any medium to create a stunning gallery, make sure the foundation is sturdy. Before selecting artwork, experiment with how the different mediums interact with each other. For example, a piece that features ink on top of a watercolor will appear completely different than if it was painted on top of a canvas with watercolour.
Depending on the size of the space you have to decorate, consider the style of your gallery wall. If you’re going for a modern and clean aesthetic, make sure the frames are the same size. If you’re going for a more eclectic look, mix frame styles and colors and include both modern and vintage art. If you’re trying to make a bold statement, use a combination of abstract and traditional art.
Choose a variety of frame widths. A gallery wall can look too perfect with identical frames. Instead, choose a mix of frames and art pieces with different widths. Try to space each piece between two and four inches. While a gallery wall doesn’t have to look perfect, it should be well-curated. For best results, eyeballing the layout of the art will help you achieve the look you’re after.
Frames don’t have to be present on all pieces of art in your gallery wall. However, frames can add to the visual impact of your gallery wall. Choosing frames is an important part of the art, so choose them carefully. Many people hang big canvases unframed, which saves them money on framing. However, it can be difficult to balance the various types of frames and finishes of the artworks.
Consider lighting
You can choose a variety of lighting options for your gallery wall, including recessed lights or monopoint fixtures. Both types of lighting can provide balanced illumination and can be adjusted for different works. Choose a type of fixture that matches the size and style of your art, or you can choose to purchase one specially made for the space. For long-term installations, you may want to consider installing hard-wired fixtures that draw power from hidden wall wires. These fixtures can be controlled by a wall switch, but will require an electrician’s services. Ceiling-mounted track lighting can provide even, balanced illumination.
Lighting can help enhance your art. Keep in mind that light is important when you’re hanging pieces of artwork. Choose a light fixture based on the size of the piece, as a small light source might obscure the piece. A seven or nine-inch fixture is a good choice if the pieces of art are 16-24 inches wide. If you’re hanging over a couch, ensure that you have at least 8-10 inches of clearance.
Beam spread is an important concept when selecting gallery lighting. Different lamps have different beam spreads. Beam spread is the distance the light beams extend away from an object. Spotlights are typically less than 15 degrees wide, while flood lights have a beam spread greater than 30 degrees. Beam spread is important because you want the direct light of a spotlight to hit the center of the canvas, not the surrounding area.
Besides color temperature, lighting intensity should be appropriate for each piece of artwork. For best results, the light source should be three times brighter than the ambient lighting of the space. In addition to being bright enough, the light should be narrow enough so that it doesn’t overshadow the frame. In addition, you should choose light sources that have a low CRI (Color Rendering Index) percentage and don’t emit a lot of heat or ultraviolet radiation.
Consider color palette
When creating a gallery wall, the color palette you choose should complement the overall theme of your space. Select pieces that are close in color and style, and choose the ones that complement one another. Choose pieces that are bold, abstract, or a combination of all three. Your final gallery wall will be the product of your hard work and creativity. Here are some tips for choosing the right color palette. Before you buy art for your gallery wall, consider its color palette.
Color schemes help tie different rooms together. Use analogous, complementary, or monochromatic colors. Try to choose two or three shades of one color to create a balanced look. A color scheme should be based on the dominant color of the room and accent colors should be two or three different shades. You may also use a combination of colors. Choose the colors based on the theme of the room and the art on the wall.
Consider repeating color schemes among the pieces on your gallery wall. It will help tie in existing pieces and add depth to the entire ensemble. However, remember that each piece does not have to be the same color. Select similar colors and a mix of styles to create a dynamic gallery wall that allows each piece to shine. Moreover, consider your budget when choosing art for your gallery wall. You may want to invest in expensive pieces, but you can also opt for inexpensive pieces that represent your favorite memories.
When choosing art for your gallery wall, consider the theme and color palette. You can use a dark color, such as Georgian black, to highlight the nuances of the painting. Or, you can opt for a lighter one like Stiffkey blue, which pairs beautifully with French-inspired furniture, lighting, and sculpture. Remember that darker colors are best complemented by paintings that aren’t strongly represented. In this case, Deborah Oropallo’s “Napoleon, 2001” would look best against a rich gray wall.
Consider frame style
Before deciding on which pieces to include on your gallery wall, consider the frame style. A clean, modern gallery will stick to a limited number of frames of the same size. A vintage, eclectic style will incorporate several frame styles and sizes. You can even mix original art and photography to create a more eclectic gallery. A gallery wall can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be. Just remember to keep the theme in mind when choosing frame style.
If you’re using a gallery wall in a modern space, you may want to use a variety of frames. While there’s no need for all pieces to be framed, it’s important to mix and match. Different styles and finishes create an eclectic look, so it’s important to choose carefully. Some people prefer to hang large canvases unframed, which can help them save money. In any case, you want to choose a frame style that complements the rest of your room. If you’re working with a natural space, try to stick with white or off-white frames.
You can measure the space before choosing frames for your gallery wall. This will help you plan how many pieces you’ll need to fill the wall. A general rule of thumb is that you should fill two-thirds or more of the wall with your pieces. If you’re working with a small area, however, you can leave some space and have a more open and airy look. Just make sure that you measure your space to determine how many frames you’ll need, and that you’re choosing the right size frames.
The style of your frames should also influence your overall design. A classic, minimalist look is usually complemented by a more modern style. You can use different frames in different sizes to achieve the look you want. A gallery wall can be large or small, depending on your budget and design. In general, however, you should keep the size and weight of your pieces in mind. In order to create a gallery wall that looks cohesive, it is important to keep a balance between the size of the pieces and the spacing between them.