Credit: Kristy Noble
Home and interiors
How to build a gallery wall, however big your space
By George Wales
Updated 2 years ago
From the pieces to choose to the frames to hang them in, this is everything you need to know to build the ensemble of your dreams…
Whether you’re a fan of watercolour landscapes or feel more at home with monochrome line drawings, displaying your art on a gallery wall is a guaranteed way to add some personality to your space.
Better still, you don’t need a massive expanse of blank wall to make it work, because smaller pieces lend themselves to the gallery treatment just as well as bigger ones.
That said, there are a few things to consider before you start hammering your walls full of picture-hooks, which is why we’ve consulted Helen Armon-Jones, founder and owner of The Art Buyer, to help you bring your vision to life.
This is how to build your very own masterpiece in three simple steps…
1. Choose your pieces
Before you pick up your hammer and your measuring tape, you’re going to need to work out which artworks are going to work well together.
“Just like colours, furniture and accessories, different art pieces can do different things,” explains Helen. “A large landscape painting can create the illusion of space and light, while a bright, zesty and boldly coloured artwork can bring in warmth and the feeling of eternal summer.”
The best rule of thumb, however, is to vary your pieces so it doesn’t look too ‘matchy matchy’.
“Prints mix beautifully with paintings when hanging a gallery wall,” continues Helen. “Space out monotones and add in colourful works, then add in anything with texture – think textiles or wall sculptures – to really break up the look.”
“For example, if you’ve got a mix of crisp contemporary prints and fresh modern art, try adding some faded floral chintz to give the whole thing an interesting twist.”
“Then add in some line drawings or pieces with text to visually punctuate the hang.”
You don’t have to restrict yourself to traditional wall art either – you can think outside the box.
“You could frame any favourite greetings cards you’ve been hanging on to,” suggests Helen, “and scatter those in for a completely unique and characterful look.”
2. Think about frames
Once you’ve worked out what you want to hang, you need to consider your framing options.
Even if your pieces are ready-framed, it’s worth considering whether a different colour or material might work better with the hang as a whole.
“If you’re looking for a clean contemporary look then opt for a neutral colour like black or white,” says Helen, “or try a frame in a natural wood.”
“Shades of coral, sage or even lollipop red are also proving really popular at the moment – strong colours like these make a bold statement and can really help your pieces to pop.
“If you’re keen for the room to have character then mis-matching frames can add a really charming look,” she continues.
“I particularly love vintage and ornate frames, mixed in with clean white or natural wood frames. Just make sure that the more characterful frames are spread out and not grouped into one cluster, to ensure the eye is drawn across the wall as a whole.”
Clever framing means you can even incorporate other accessories into your hang – the Samsung Frame TV for example comes with a selection of detachable coloured bezels, available to buy in a choice of 40 different colours so you can match or contrast with your other pieces.
With a huge range of artworks to display on-screen* when the unit is on standby, it will slot into any gallery wall with ease.
3. Hang according to space
Now your pieces are chosen and framed, it’s time to map out your hang. However, before you start banging any nails in, try laying all your artwork out on the floor first.
“That way you can play around with the shape and organisation of your gallery, allowing you to see what works best with the space available.
“I’d advise starting with a central work, hanging all your pieces reasonably close together, and fanning outwards,” says Helen.
“Add the pieces you’re less sure of to the outer edges, knowing you can swap them out when you add to your collection.”
If you have a particularly small space to work with, there are a couple of tricks you can use to make the most of it.
“If space is at a premium, try hanging works very close to each other,” explains Helen, “with as little as a 3cm gap between pieces.”
“This look works best with an eclectic mix of art – think framed postcards, prints and small paintings.”
“Try to mix paper pieces with canvas and be creative with frames – hang a couple of bright frames with a few simpler ones to add real character.
“Minimalism can also work – try using uniformly matching frames, hung so tightly they almost appear as a collage.”
Whatever you decide to go with, be sure to use a spirit level to ensure a level, symmetrical hang, and above all, don’t get too stressed by trying to follow all the rules.
“Gallery hangs are all about a joyful collection of moments, memories and colour,” says Helen. “Think of them as a way of breaking the rules and adding character to your space.”
Ready to start constructing your own gallery wall? The Samsung Frame is designed to adapt to your space, whatever your aesthetic, thanks to a new range of detachable coloured bezels available in a choice of 40 colours. With a powerful QLED 4K TV display**, a Slim Fit Wall Mount that lets you hang it like an actual picture and with no distracting cables** in the way, the view is always a stunner, whether you’re watching something or not. Shop the range here.
*Separate Art Store subscription required to access full selection.
** Applicable to 43” and above Frame
Artwork credits:
Hero image - Adriana Jaros Kirstine Dahl Studio, Modern Art Hire, Kassl Editions x Zara Home, PSTR Studio; Body image 1 - Oyoy, Rose England, Wrong at Paper Collective, PSTR Studio, Laura Wickstead; Body image 2 - Mason & Painter, Richard Graham, Lucy Giles, West Elm, Aeand Studio, Adriana Jaros, Paper Collective, Holly Mills, Atelier 101, Leo Bruno Todd, Modern Art Hire; Body image 3 - Ekaterina Koroleva, The Poster Club, Wrong at Paper Collective, PSTR Studio, H&M, Chiara Perano, Kassl Editions x Zara Home, Modern Art Hire, Kirstine Dahl Studio Poster.
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