Picture This: How to Curate a Gallery Wall
Looking to showcase your art collection in style? Discover our expert's guide to maximising your favourite pieces
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Picture This: How to Curate a Gallery Wall
Looking to showcase your art collection in style? Discover our expert's guide to maximising your favourite pieces
By: Madeleine Killick
Autumn has arrived and with it, the season of staying in. As you adjust the thermostat and dig out our cosiest knits from the wardrobe, it’s the perfect time to revamp your home and embrace days spent indoors as the temperature drops.
If you’re itching to revive a neglected living room corner or an empty space without requiring a full-blown renovation, a gallery wall is an easy yet effective way to add colour and character to your living space.
Before you grab the hammer, let Liberty’s creative stylist, Hannah Edgar, guide you with tips and tricks to transform your walls into an exhibition space of your own
Loation, Location, Location
The placement of your gallery wall is an important factor, as it will dictate how many pieces of artwork and frames you need to cover your allotted space. Living rooms are a popular choice, but you might perhaps have a neglected spare bedroom or study that could do with a little zhuzh? Don’t forget about landings and staircases that are often an overlooked placement too.
“I personally love to adorn any connecting spaces with pictures and prints.
It then gives you a whole other room to decorate that you usually might not put much thought into.”
Build Your Base
Once you’ve chosen the perfect spot, the next crucial decision is selecting the appropriate wall colour. The right shade enhances the cohesion and balance of your art, creating a personalised and stylish environment that influences the overall atmosphere and mood.
Bold and on-trend, hues like chartreuse, vermilion, and peacock blue immediately capture attention and infuse joy into the room, providing a vibrant contrast against colourful frames and imagery. For an eclectic look, consider turning your wall into a statement with striped or floral wallpaper. If you have a collection of colourful artwork, let those pieces shine by opting for neutral tones that create a balance.
“In my own home, I’ve built gallery walls onto both varnished wood and painted stripes, so don’t be afraid to paint a stripe or use a wallpaper as your base.
Alternatively, it’s always nice to use a colour that’s hinted throughout your chosen artworks. Whether you choose the wall first or the art first, both give you a nice starting point.”
Select Your Art
If curating a gallery wall were akin to styling an outfit, then the pictures, prints, and frames would serve as the perfect accessories, enhancing the overall aesthetic. Just as every outfit draws inspiration from various influences, a gallery wall can reflect a unique blend of styles and personal stories. Whether you’re displaying cherished photos or paintings you’ve thrifted from antique markets, a unifying theme is essential for creating a structured and impactful gallery wall.
“Eclectic gallery walls are a favourite of mine. I’m always on the hunt scouring car-boot sales and charity shops for beautiful frames.”
For a truly polished look that fuses various mediums, consider using the same frame style for all your art. Alternatively, if a vibrant mix of colours feels overwhelming, opting for a simple black and white theme can create an effortlessly sleek aesthetic.
Finishing Touches
Just as you would expect to find more than just paintings in an art gallery, there's no reason you can't add a few extra elements to your own gallery wall. From masks and tapestries, to clocks, antlers and cowboy hats, think beyond art and pictures. Do you have any special ceramic pieces tucked away in the cupboard that could be rescued and proudly displayed? You could also add a mirror to enhance the light of the room, making it feel lighter and brighter.
“I like to mix things up with photos, favourite artworks, and beautiful cards from friends. I’ve even framed poignant pages from my favourite books.”