Whether you prefer a structured, curated look or a relaxed, collected-over-time feel, creating a gallery wall is easier than you think.

“Gallery walls can feel like a hard project to start, but they are really worth it. Once you begin, you’ll see how easily it comes together.” — Brian MacShane, Creative Director of Beach House Art.

In this guide, on how to create a gallery wall, we’ll walk you through everything—from choosing your art prints and frames to planning layouts and hanging your gallery wall with confidence.

👉 Looking for an easy way to start? Our Art Print Sets make it effortless to create a stylish gallery wall.

Step 1: Define Your Style and What You Want Out of Your Gallery Wall

Your gallery wall should reflect your personality and home style. We don’t believe in strict rules.....your wall, your way!

So start by thinking about what you want to achieve and the look you want to end up with. This will guide you in choosing the art and which gallery wall layout to choose. We go through the different layout options below.

If you’re unsure where to begin, think about how you want your gallery wall to feel.

Do you want it to be bold, eye catching, or calm and cohesive? Would you prefer a structured layout or a more freeform, collected-over-time aesthetic?

Below are just a few styles of gallery walls and tips to help you achieve the look:

• Eclectic & Personal – Mix different styles of prints, photography, vintage pieces, and objects like plates or curiosities for a collected layered look.

Gallery wall layout recommendation - A feeform gallery wall layout, which is explained below, is perfect for this look

• Minimal or Monochrome – Stick to a refined palette of black, white, and neutrals for a timeless feel.

Gallery wall layout recommendation - Grid or linear layouts, explained below, work particularly well here. Our art print sets are also perfect for this look.

• Bold & Statement – Use large, vibrant pieces to add impact and energy to your space. Consider anchoring your gallery wall with one standout print. This could be a large-scale artwork, a bold colour, or a piece with a strong focal point. Then, build around it with complementary prints that balance the look.

Gallery wall layout recommendation - Freeform

• Coastal & Nature-Inspired – Think natural wooden frames and artwork featuring botanical prints, landscapes, or ocean-inspired themes. You can lean into nautical blues, summery coastal tones, or green botanical prints—each creates a distinct but equally stunning aesthetic.

Gallery wall layout recommendation - Grid, Linear and Freeform work brilliantly.

👉 Not sure where to start? Our curated Art Print Sets (sets of two and three art prints) make it easy to create a gallery wall that works beautifully together.

At the end of the day, art is personal, and there’s no single “right way” to create a gallery wall.

Our tips will help guide you, but the most important thing is to curate a collection that feels right for your space and style.

Before selecting prints, get a sense of your available space. This will help you determine the ideal number, size, and layout of your artwork.

How to Measure:

• Measure the full wall space you want to use to understand the total available space. So, this could be the whole area above a sofa for example.

• Define your “art zone”—the area where the prints will actually go. Depending on the room, furniture, and fittings, this will probably be smaller than the full wall space available.

• Mark key points with painter’s tape to visualise the size of your arrangement. You can now use this to organise layout and the amount of art prints you'll need.

• For walls above sofas & beds, aim for two-thirds the width of the furniture below it.

👉 Tip: A gallery wall doesn’t have to cover an entire wall—it can be a statement feature within a larger space.

Now that you’ve thought about the style you love and measured the available space, the next step is choosing the right layout. 

The way you arrange your prints will determine the overall feel of your gallery wall—whether it’s structured and refined, casual and relaxed, or bold and eclectic.

There are three main gallery wall layouts, each with its own unique appeal:

✅ Grid Layout – Structured, Polished & Smart

✅ Linear Layout – Simple, Effortless & Versatile

✅ Freeform Layout – Creative, Personal & Impactful

Let’s break each one down so you can decide which works best for your space.

As the name suggests, this involves laying out your art prints in a grid format, normally in two or three rows and three or four prints across.

✔ Best for: Modern, minimalist, or formal spaces.

✔ Works well with: Matching frames, black & white photography, or prints of the same size. We love photography or our ferns in a grid layout.

A grid layout is a great choice if you love clean lines and symmetry. It works particularly well in contemporary or structured interiors, where balance and uniformity are key.

We love the grid layout with square art prints. It makes any space look really high-end and luxurious. 

General tips on how to arrange and hang your grid gallery wall layout:

A grid layout is sleek, polished, and timeless. It’s a great choice if you prefer clean lines, symmetry, and a structured feel. This style works beautifully with matching frames and uniform print sizes to create a cohesive, gallery-style display.

📏 How to Arrange:

✔ Stick to even spacing between frames and rows. 5-10cm between frames is ideal. Before hanging, lay your prints on the floor or a table to test different gaps. Too close feels cramped, too far apart feels disconnected.

✔ Keep prints the same size for a sharp, uniform look.

✔ Use a level to ensure perfect alignment. A slightly off-grid will stand out in all the wrong ways!

✔ Position prints at the right height—if hanging above furniture, keep them about 30cm above a sofa (adjust slightly based on wall height).

✔ Start with a central print and work outward for balanced placement.

💡 Print Selection Tip:

A grid gallery wall looks best with prints that share a common theme—think black & white coastal photography, abstract geometric prints, or botanical illustrations. Matching frames enhance the structured, polished look.

A linear gallery wall is basically a set of prints in two, three or four quantities. They are the easiest to hang and probably the quickest way to create an impact with art. 

✔ Best for: Hallways, above sofas, beds, or console tables

✔ Works well with: A series of prints that tell a story, panoramic art, or typography prints

A linear gallery wall is pared-back yet incredibly effective. It’s ideal for anyone who wants to add art to their space without the complexity of a full gallery wall. This layout works particularly well above a sofa, bed, or long hallway.

✔ Best for: Personal, curated spaces that feel relaxed and expressive

✔ Works well with: Mixed frames, different-sized prints, and decorative objects

A freeform gallery wall is the most creative but also the trickiest to get right. The goal is to achieve a balanced, ‘collected-over-time’ look, without it feeling cluttered or chaotic.