How to Create the Perfect DiY Gallery Wall for Your Home

Disclosure:  This is a sponsored post by UHS Window Tinting and Blinds. All opinions are my own.

 

Creating the perfect DIY gallery wall for our front room/entry way has literally been on my To Do list forever.  And this year, I’m finally going to check it off!

I love gallery walls because they’re a great way to display multiple pictures along with other miscellaneous pieces of whimsy like art work, signs, letters, numbers. Etc.

If you can think of it, you can make it work.

However, you’ve got to a follow a few simple steps to keep everything cohesive.

Just like the Dude in Big Lebowski—“That rug really tied the room together, man!”  You too need to add elements to tie the whole collection together.

How to Create the Perfect Gallery Wall for Your Home

Gallery walls are great because you can combine several pieces of art, photography, and personal mementos that might not normally go together, all in one place.  However, to do this well, you need to plan it out and consider all of your elements—colors, shape, theme, and even sunlight. I learned this from my dad who had a background in art/design and was pretty much a gallery wall wizard (well, gallery walls and imagination.)

 

The 5 Steps to Designing your Perfect DIY Gallery Wall

Step 1: Plan it out

Consider sizing, color, shape.

Then, create a quick sketch of what you want to see.  You may even want to add measurements.  It’s up to you.

I was short on time, so I just laid everything out on the floor, then I moved them around until I was happy.

 

 

Once I started hanging the pieces, I changed my mind and shifted some things around but the basic plan stayed the same.

 

Step 2:  Pick something of Interest as a Focal Point

Your eye needs a place to focus on.  This could be as simple as a large frame in the middle, maybe a whimsical letter, or a clock.

Or if you have a many matching items, use those as the focal point by grouping them together.  Arrange them in a patter or all in a row.

This is the strategy I used and arranged my four silhouettes together in a row as the focal point.

 

Step 3:  Combine Letters, Numbers, Frames, and Quotes

Combing elements that might not normally go together, adds whimsy and makes it more personal.

You may want to use a theme for inspiration, like love, family, travel, etc.

I was inspired by the silhouettes which we got during two of our trips to Walt Disney World.  (And if you read my series on How to Stay Safe in Theme Parks, you’ll remember how much we love Disney World).

 

Silhouettes are a tradition in my family that’s been going for at least 3 generations, and starting with my generation-they’ve been done at the Magic Kingdom.

So I decided to add pictures to the wall that were from various trips we’ve taken to Disney World over that last few years.

My daughters loved seeing those pictures on the wall—finally off my computer and on display.

 

Step 4:  Pick a Consistent Color Scheme or Style to Keep Everything Cohesive

Although gallery walls draw inspiration from real life art galleries, they don’t need to be made up of symmetrically lined, matching frames.

The great thing about contemporary gallery walls is that the sky is the limit—the more unique and personalized they are…the better.

The key to a really great gallery wall is using consistent elements to tie the whole thing together. (Ad) Share on X

I decided to use a color scheme to keep everything consistent, and chose to highlight gold, blue, black.

Additionally, I used matching frames (of various sizes) which, although it’s hard to see here, have subtle gold lines along the edge of the border.  This picked up the gold from the black silhouette frames.

Building on my blue element,  I decided to incorporate it into my scrapbook collage as the background. ( I also included gold elements in the scrapbook collage)  For more on how to make  your own scrapbook collage, check back tomorrow!

Step 5:  Consider Window Tinting, especially if your Gallery Wall is in a Sunny Room.

My parents learned this the hard way.  Years ago, my dad created a beautiful gallery wall in my mom’s favorite sun-filled room—it was full of windows-including a sky light which beat down right on the old photos.

When my mom realized what was happening, they moved the photos do a much less sunny room, but the damage was done.  The pictures were permanently faded.  You can’t even tell that my sister is wearing a bright pink dress.

 

 

So, I was thinking about this when planning my gallery wall.  And I went to Atlanta based UHS Window Tinting and Blinds website.

They specialize in window tinting to prevent fading—not just on your photos and gallery wall, but also your furniture and drapes.

Did you know that UV rays and solar heat are the leading causes of color breakdown among furniture, walls, drapes, and photographs?

However, window tinting blocks 98% of the harmful rays, while still allowing you to  enjoy the sunlight.

…So you don’t have worry about “drawing the blinds” like Amelia Bedelia to prevent the furniture from fading.  (Can you tell I have two young kids? We love classic silly books).

If you live in the Atlanta area and are interested in finding out more about window tinting, contact UHS Window Tinting and Blinds.  They offer a free consultation.  They’re locally owned and have top ratings on Better Business Bureau, Angies List, Kudzu, and Home Advisor.

Window tinting also helps reduce energy demands and your carbon footprint!

Follow UHS Window Tinting and Blinds on Facebook,  and be sure to check out their gallery.  I was really impressed with some of their super creative window tinting designs for corporate offices.

 

Here’s a look at the final result.

By the way, do you like the gemstone terrarium?  I wanted to add some organic elements to the space.

Make your own super easy gemstone terrarium. We sure had a fun time making ours.

Do you have a gallery wall? What’s your favorite element?  Leave me a comment below.

Until next time…always….Celebrate the Cocktail of Life! Cheers!