Picture Perfect
Picture capture important moments in our lives, past memories, great people, places and life events. Interiors expert Emma Power shares some advice on how to create a great gallery wall to display your favourite photographs and artwork.
Creating a Gallery Wall can be as simple or as extravagant as you wish and is an easy way of adding some fun, glamour or drama to your home. You can show off your family, favourite holiday snaps (we all need these memories right now) or just your personality. No painting or wallpaper required. All you need is a hammer, measuring tape, frame hooks and a selection of your framed photos and artwork.
Its is all in the planning. Staring at that blank wall and wondering where you start is the most intimidating part, but this can be broken down into a couple of easy steps.
1. Take your time. Understand what you want to achieve, which pieces you want to display, what wall you want to use. A gallery wall should never look too planned, but the most captivating ones are always very well planned. Each piece chosen should feel collected and considered, a special memory or piece of art. There are no real rules here, art can be mixed with photography or landscapes, frames can be different sizes and finishes, styles can be traditional mixed with abstract.
2. Find the right space. You don’t need to live in a big Georgian house, gallery walls are perfect for any size house or apartment as it gives any room interest, depth and a decorated feel without using any floor space. You can hang around windows, doors, above headboards or fireplaces. Equally they work in hallways, kitchens, utility rooms or bedrooms. Be careful to ensure they are not hung anywhere that there is a lot of moisture or over radiators.
3. Pick your layout. This tends to fall into either a grid or linear arrangement, but any design that you like will work, remember this is primarily for your enjoyment so go with what feels good to you. Grids are clean and formal whereas linear is more relaxed and personal. Picture ledges are also an excellent idea if you are nervous about lots of hammering and holes. Arrange the picture ledges, resting your framed pieces in different sizes. You can then chop and change the pieces as nothing is fixed. There are some great layouts to copy on Dessio.ie or buy some pre planned from M&S. IKEA carry a range of picture rails in different lengths and colour finishes. There is a rule of thumb if needed, one extra large piece to two large pieces, two medium pieces to three small pieces and so on.
4. Find your frame. Using good matting and frames can really elevate a look. Mounting your picture also gives a professional and expensive looking result. If you wish to use different frame finishes, try to have some cohesion like a colour in the artwork or a matching mount to the other pieces. But again, this is an individual preference. Go with what you like and suits your home.
5. Get down on the floor. Measure the space on the wall you have and outline this on the floor. Arrange your pieces, usually starting from the middle working out helps, using the largest frame and re arrange until you get the balance and look right. Now its time for the tape measure making sure that all frames have the same amount of spacing. Two inches between frames is a good guide. It also helps to take a picture at this point.
6. Hanging. If you are not comfortable with banging nails into walls, you can use mounting strips easily. These can be bought at any home ware store and are an excellent idea if the thought of lots of nails going into your walls terrifies you. If you are using hammer and nails be sure to check where your electrical cables are running behind your walls.
6. Enjoy. Sit back an enjoy your own gallery wall full of your precious memories and artwork.