By creating a beautiful gallery wall, you can exhibit your favorite photos, works of art, travel souvenirs and collectibles at a point where you can see and appreciate you every day and add a completely personalized element to your room. But while the concept of an art gallery is timeless, the implementation increases an experienced eye – exactly what you keep in the place and how you hang it. Otherwise, your arrangement may look boring and outdated.
We asked experts to weigh up whether gallery walls are a fading trend and how they can style their walls in order to create focus and visual interest with or without a gallery.
What is a gallery wall?
The official definition of a gallery wall is pretty simple: it is a collection of works of art that are arranged on a single wall, similar to a setup that you may see in an art gallery. However, applications in the real world can include other pieces than works of art such as objects, collectibles and even fashion. “A gallery wall is simply a collection of objects that are carefully arranged on a wall,” says interior designer Nadia Watts. “You look best with a mixture of shapes, sizes and textures: you can hang woven baskets, architectural salvages, vintage objects or even straw hats. Contains mirrors, shelves with decorative objects, plants or anything that your heart desires.”
In order to create a coherent design, the articles you have selected must be carefully observed. “Not only anything can be hung and qualified as a successful gallery wall: parts have to be distributed and placed in relation to each other and have a meaning of importance as well as a visual attraction,” says interior designer Kristina Phillips. “A common denominator in all parts -when it comes to frame, the topic, the finish or the style -serves and creates cohesion as a gallery.”
The story behind gallery stands
Watts points out that the concept of a wall with several works of art can be attributed to prehistoric cave paintings, but the approach really came to itself during the European Renaissance period.
“Gallery walls have been used for a long time to show art, starting in France in the early 17th century,” says Phillips. “Earlier called walls called salon walls, framed pieces were hung from the ground to the ceiling in a random way. The same idea led to wealthy houses, since the owners were interested in showing their abundant art collections.”
Are gallery walls on your way outside?
After centuries as a basic food approach for the display of multi -part collections, designers do not expect that gallery walls should ever really go out of style. “The attraction is on the occasion of telling a story through art, which is why I love it to include it in designs,” says Low. “While design trends can stop and flow, a well-curated gallery wall will never go out of fashion.”
Galer reviews are a proven way to create a focus in a living space, to earth an oversized space and add texture and interest, says Watts-Alle without devoting the floor area of your collection required for a shelf.
According to Phillips, however, it is essential that the scale, the elements and the layout are correct. “I believe that gallery walls will always have a place in the interior, especially in houses that reflect personality and interest,” she says. “Nowadays, hanging family photos and school portraits can read as a gallery (especially along the staircase walls!) How dated and a bit of design not, but the hanging curated and meaningful pieces together will always pass the test of good taste.”
When do you avoid a gallery wall
Although gallery walls are still a common way to display estimated art collections, antiques or other objects, they are not really suitable for every room. Phillips encourages customers to avoid galleries in narrow halls and tiny powder rooms in which it is impossible to see the entire collection at the same time.
Watts do without walls that are already hanging or complex storage. “You want your gallery wall like a gallery – that means that you have to start with a beautiful empty space,” she says. “Make sure that the space keeps away from other disorder and decor so that the objects in your gallery wall stand out. I would stay away from gallery stands right next to bookshelves or other exhibition areas.”
The interior designer Shaolin Low often decides with a minimalist design of gallery descriptions in rooms. “If you strive for a quieter or more focused atmosphere, I would recommend a design selection that matches general aesthetics,” she says. Note how much natural light your room also gets, she says: dark rooms can be overwhelmed by large, elaborate collections.
So styles your walls without creating a gallery
If you have not issued a collection or are not sure that you can set up a curated and coherent gallery, it can feel like an overwhelming task of decorating a huge, empty wall. Try one of these other approaches approved by experts for alternatives to a traditional gallery wall.
Go big
Johnny Miller
However, the obvious opposite of a multi-part gallery wall is a single work of art-it is important to select one that has the right size. “The rule of thumb in the determination of how big or small a work of art should be related to the wall is that art should take about 60 percent of the empty wall,” says Phillips.
However, this is not a precise science. You do not have to measure your wall and find a percentage up to the centimeter, as the placement of the furniture can change the visual size of the wall. “A work of art that is placed above a sofa can be somewhat smaller than the width of the sofa and hanging eye level,” says Phillips. “A trained eye is often needed to do the proportion correctly.”
Create a mini collection
Instead of moving together a different group of elements that can be displayed together, select parts that can be displayed as a series or set. “A few large works or a triptych that is together works well on a large wall,” says Watts. “A triptych is a great option. You can hang it horizontally or vertically. It is a nice choice if you want to fill your room but wish for an optimized look.” If you use an odd number of frames, you will receive your layout of dynamic energy and movement – even if the parts are hung together. “Hang three or five pieces linearly with the same distance between every piece,” says Phillips. “If you make a number of parts, you can run the entire length of the wall.”
Include furniture
An armchair, a closet or a console table can break up a large wall and create a focal point. “These are also great starting points for hanging your art,” says Watts. “Use your furniture to determine where your art will hang. Create a grouping around the furniture to anchor the room and arouse personality and interest.” Higher furniture – such as a tier or a bookshelf – can be flanked by works of art that are hung in a vertical line, suggests Phillips. “Even a single chair with a framed work of art can make a statement,” she says.
Get out
Laure Joliet
Phillips and watts recommend both houseplants, pot trees and leaf green as alternatives to frames and objects d'Art. “Interior trees and plants are a wonderful way to take a seat and at the same time give interest,” says Phillips. Place your plant pot on a pedestal table (or choose a hanging planter) to arouse visual interest at your preferred height.
Add mirror
Dana Gallagher
A well -placed mirror turns an empty wall into a surface inspired by windows that takes a small room of dark and narrow and spacious and spacious. “Large mirrors can be a good option for an empty wall,” says Watts. “They bring light in and make their room feel larger and brighter.”
Work with texture and patterns
By adding a decorative screen, a wallpaper or tactile wall covering, your space can convey visual interest without the variety of a gallery wall. “Count the structured art – factory, rope, weaving – as an alternative,” says low. “The key is to achieve a balance between personal style, the function of the room and the general aesthetics that you strive for.”