5 Tips on Hanging a Growing Gallery Wall

I love a gallery wall but as a collector, I am constantly adding to the gallery. I don’t want to wait until I am done collecting all my beautiful art to actually get it up on the wall. So, I developed a system with 5 tips to help hang a constantly growing gallery wall.

Update

I first posted this tutorial in 2015 and it has been one of my most popular posts. I thought I would repost it with an update on how my gallery wall (and my photography) has evolved over the last few years. The photo below was the original photo from this post back in 2015. The first photo is what it looks like today.

Below is the master bedroom in our previous house back in 2015

and our master in the current house back in 2017 (look how my Bird of Paradise has grown.)

When I moved to Germany in 2013 I had just a few paper-cut silhouettes but have since added quite a few pieces to the collection.  I wanted to share with you a few of my secrets on hanging a growing gallery wall without having to rehang the whole group every time you add a new piece.

First, have a look at how my gallery wall layout has grown, and then I’ll share my 5 tips.

Tips

1. Similar size – Use art pieces of a similar size. It will be hard to add a substantial piece to a growing collection of small pieces and keep the gallery balanced.

2. Hange largest pieces first – If you do have large pieces it is best to begin with those first and add in around them.

I have always started this hanging with this larger square piece.

3. Spacing – Keep the distance between the pieces close and consistent, about one to two inches. If you are working with larger pieces you can add a little more. By doing this you give the feeling of one large piece of art rather than a bunch of random pieces floating around the wall.

I started my gallery with just these few pieces and added them as I collected.

4. Adding – As you add pieces, work in a circular pattern adding around the edges on each side to keep the balance as you go.

5. Alignment – Line one edge of the new piece you’re hanging with the edge of one already up, creating several axes. This will give a more organized look.

Have another look at how my gallery grew. Notice that each frame of the GIF can stand alone as its own gallery still looks balanced as pieces are added over time.

Now get out there, start collecting, and use these 5 tips to hang YOUR perfect gallery wall!

I just added a new beauty to mine this month.

Here are a few other gallery wall ideas.