Gallery wall ideas for every room, from a simple grid above the sofa to a nursery wall above the cot. Pick the idea that fits your wall, then follow the quick steps at the end to hang it.
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Jump to: Living room · Bedroom · Kids' rooms · Home office and small spaces · How to hang · FAQs
Living room gallery wall ideas
1. A mix of sizes around one big photo
The classic gallery wall: one big photo in the middle with smaller ones around it. Put your favourite shot in the biggest piece and keep the gaps between them even, so the mix of sizes still looks planned.
A mixed canvas set has the sizes worked out for you.
2. A neat grid
Same size, same gaps, rows and columns. A grid looks tidy even with very different photos in it, so it's the easiest gallery wall to get right. Twelve 8" x 8" squares in three rows of four fit nicely above a three-seater sofa.
Photo tiles stick to the wall without nails, so you can straighten the grid as you go.
3. A 3 x 3 family wall
Nine square photos in three rows make a big, bold family wall. Pick one day, like a beach trip, or one favourite photo from each year.
Choose a set of 9 square canvases.
4. Baby's first year above the sofa
Tiny feet, the first smile, the first bath. Two rows of three photos turn the blur of the first year into something you see every day.
A set of 6 canvases keeps every photo the same size.
5. One view across three canvases
Got one photo you love more than any other? Split it across three panels for a wide, calm wall that still feels like a gallery.
See our split canvas prints in 3 or 4 panels.
Bedroom gallery wall ideas
6. Your wedding day in three photos
Getting ready, the vows, the first dance. Three photos in a row tell the story of the day without crowding the wall. Above a bed, leave 20 to 30 cm between the headboard and the bottom of the frames.
A set of 3 canvases keeps the sizes and spacing even.
7. A black and white wall
Black and white makes very different photos look like one set. It works for old family photos, city shots or a mix of both, and it suits almost any wall colour.
Print them as canvas prints in two or three sizes.
8. One statement print above the bed
Not every wall needs ten frames. One large print of a favourite photo, with your names or a date, is calm enough for a bedroom and still personal.
Try a high-gloss metal print.
Kids' room gallery wall ideas
9. A nursery wall above the cot
One soft newborn photo spread across three panels makes a gentle wall for a nursery. Keep it to one photo so the room stays calm.
A 3-panel split canvas works well here.
10. A wall they can change
Kids change their minds often. Restickable tiles need no nails, so you can swap the photos every school term. They're a good choice for renters too.
Make your own photo tiles in black, white or pinewood frames.
Home office and small space ideas
11. A travel wall above the desk
A wall of places you've been is a nice thing to look up at between emails. Mix wide city views with close-up details like doors, windows and streets.
A set of 6 canvases fits above most desks.
12. A shelf you can restyle
Lean a few prints on a shelf or sideboard and swap them around whenever you like. No measuring, no nails.
 Framed prints |
 Photo tiles |
Framed prints can hang on the wall or stand on their own.
13. A wall for the pet
The puppy photos, the favourite spot on the sofa, the silly faces. One big pet portrait above a bookshelf gets a smile every time you walk past.
Make a pet portrait print of your own.
How to hang a gallery wall
- Plan the size. Make the whole wall about two thirds as wide as the sofa, bed or table below it.
- Lay it out on the floor. Arrange the pieces and take a photo of the layout you like.
- Tape up paper templates. Trace each piece onto paper, mark where the nail goes and tape it to the wall. Hang the centre of the group 145 to 152 cm from the floor, or the bottom row 20 to 25 cm above a sofa. Keep 5 to 8 cm between pieces.
- Nail through the paper. Hammer through each mark, tear the paper away and hang everything. Straighten each piece with a level.
Renting, or don't want holes? Use drill-free photo tiles instead.
Frequently asked questions
What is the rule for gallery walls?
Keep the gaps between pieces equal (5 to 8 cm), hang the centre at eye level (about 145 to 152 cm from the floor), and make the wall about two thirds as wide as the furniture below it.
Are gallery walls still in style?
Yes. Walls of personal photos don't go out of style. The look is getting calmer, with fewer, bigger pieces and one frame colour.
How many pictures should be on a gallery wall?
Most use 3 to 15 pieces. Start with 3 to 6 on a smaller wall and add more over time.
What photos look best on a gallery wall?
Photos with a shared theme, like one family, one trip or one year. Mix wide shots with close-ups, and put your favourite photo in the biggest piece.
Start with your favourite photo
Every good gallery wall starts with one photo you love. Pick an idea and build the rest around it. Browse framed prints, canvas, metal prints and photo tiles to start planning your wall.
More ideas for your walls: 10 wall decor ideas using your own photos.
