Create a personal gallery wall: smart tricks, hanging and stylish mix
A gallery wall should feel like your story on the wall – not like a random collage wall. When we at Artiley help clients build art walls, we see that the common thread is often in the rhythm between works, how the colors meet and how the light falls. Here we share our best tricks for creating a personal gallery wall that lasts over time, whether you collect abstract paintings, portraits or cityscapes.
Start with the room – not with the paintings
Stand in the middle of the room and note the lines of sight: where do you see the wall from? How does it interact with the sofa, dining table or a passage? Let the width of the furniture guide the composition. Above the sofa, it usually looks most balanced when the gallery wall takes up about two-thirds of the width of the sofa and when the bottom edge of the lowest painting lands about 15–20 cm above the backrest.
Eye level is a good rule of thumb: aim for a center point around 145 cm from the floor. In a gallery wall of varying sizes, place the center of gravity near this height and then build outward with smaller works.
Color palette and feel – creating a visual rhythm
Choose a palette where 60% is a calm base (neutrals), 30% is a supporting tone (warm or cool), and 10% is an accent (such as gold, red, or deep blue). A neutral, sophisticated painting can act as the palette’s bridge between warm and cool elements. One example is Echoes of Silver – a canvas painting in gray and gold tones that blends into Scandinavian decor while adding a subtle sheen.
We often use such a “bridge board” to tie together black and white photographs, naturalistic abstract art, and perhaps a colorful portrait. The result is a gallery wall that feels cohesive without being too matched.
Layout that works – three easy ways
- Grid: Symmetrical structure with equal-sized frames. Perfect in modern interiors, but requires careful alignment.
- Line of picture shelves: One or two shelves where you can vary the heights and easily change the motif. Especially good for those who want to rotate art by season.
- Organic salon hanging: Freer composition. Place the largest painting just below or at the center line and then keep an even distance, 5–8 cm, between the frames.
Our practical trick: cut templates out of kraft paper in the size of each painting, tape them up with low-sensitivity tape and move them around until the balance is right. Photograph the wall and squint – then the “visual weight” becomes clear. Does everything end up too heavy on the left? Adjust with a lighter, smaller painting on the opposite side.
Frames, passepartout and material mix
A personal gallery wall thrives on variety: wood, black, and a thin brass frame can go together – but repeat each frame type at least twice to avoid clutter. A white passepartout gives air to small originals and graphic prints. For canvas paintings with a clear texture, we often leave the painting unframed to emphasize the material feel.
Light that lifts the works
Lighting is crucial. Go for warm white light 2700–3000 K and high color rendering (CRI 90+). Expect 300–500 lumens per medium-sized work. Spot lighting from a track with adjustable spotlights provides flexibility, while an even wall wash creates calm. Avoid direct sunlight and use anti-reflective glass for photographs. LED reduces heat and is gentle on the art.
Hanging and durability
We like to use hidden suspension rails for larger, heavy canvases and two attachment points to keep them straight over time. In rental properties, quality, resettable wall hooks are a good option. Always check the wall type: plaster requires expanders or drywall anchors, while concrete is fine with plugs and screws.
Motifs that tell a story – without dominating
A gallery wall benefits from letting different expressions speak to each other: abstract paintings for movement and texture, a portrait for presence, a landscape for depth. Choose motifs that say something about the place you live in or the trips you've taken. And remember: you don't have to hang everything at once. Build slowly and change motifs from time to time. If you want to delve deeper into how to curate a small collection before hanging it, read our guide Building a mini art collection at home – curator's tricks, placement and light .
A concrete example from our customer projects
In a living room in Vasastan, we started with three color fields: sand beige wall, gray sofa and a graphite-colored rug. We chose a neutral centerpiece in the form of Echoes of Silver to bring together warm wood details and cool metal elements. Around it, we placed smaller city motifs and two nature-inspired canvas paintings. With 6 cm spacing, a center line of 145 cm and three directional spotlights at 3000 K, the whole ended up in a calm but lively wall.
Checklist – quick to get started
- Determine the width of the wall and aim for 2/3 of the width of the furniture underneath.
- Create a palette (60/30/10) and choose a painting that ties the tones together.
- Test the composition with kraft paper templates.
- Keep 5–8 cm between the frames and center around 145 cm.
- Adjust with light: 2700–3000 K, CRI 90+ and 300–500 lumens/work.
A personal gallery wall develops over time. With thoughtful spacing, conscious lighting and a little curatorial flair, you get wall art that feels both cohesive and personal – every day.