Friday, August 1, 2014

Creating A Gallery Wall

Gallery Wall

A project that I have always wanted to tackle in my bachelorette pad is a gallery wall. Since I'm most definitely staying at my apartment for at least another year, (before embarking on owning) this is a home decor assignment for myself that I would definitely like to tackle before 2014 comes to an end.

Now, where to begin? There are lots of things to consider when creating a gallery wall. What type of art/prints to choose? What size of frames to use and do they all have to be the same color? Where is the best place to put a gallery wall? I like to layout the ground work first and do as much research as possible before pressing the start button. It becomes way less daunting and stressful in the long run. 

I've put together the ultimate list of the Top-Six things to consider when creating a gallery wall.

1. Where is the best place to house a gallery wall?
Gallery Walls make for great statement pieces in your apartment or home. Usually the best place to put them is either in your entry way or above your couch in the living room/family room. Some people even consider along the wall of where their staircase is. I've got my sights for mine above my kitchen table. You always want to make sure the wall is big enough to house at least 5 to 6 pieces of art in order to make the best statement.

2. What size frames should I use?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. I say, the greater array of different sizes, the better. This gives the overall aesthetic more dimension and flavor. I like one large piece and then several 4x6 or 5x7 sized frames surrounding.

3. Where can I find affordable frames?
You should never break the bank on picture frames. I wouldn't spend more than $10. The art inside of the frames is really where you should be investing. If you do a little research, you will be pleasantly surprised that there are a lot of outlets that sell inexpensive frames. I've picked up quite a few frames on from 2Dogswoodworking or Ikea or even vintage flea markets if you are willing to dig.

4. Where can I find affordable art that are still awesome and fun?
The Internet is a wonderful source of information. There are so many independent designers out there that make unique pieces; you just have to find them. Society6 & Etsy are some of my favorite sources around. You can even get framed art off of these websites too.

5. What type of prints should I choose?
Find what speaks to you and you only. I usually pick prints based on my hobbies or things that I love. You don't even have to stick to just prints, sometimes famous quotes or sayings that are printed into art, make unique touches. I've got my eye on using Shutterfly for printing some of my own photographs, even my Instagram shots, and then have them put on glossy paper or even canvas prints

6. What is the ideal layout for hanging your pictures?
Again, there is no right or wrong answer to this question. What makes a Gallery Wall truly special is how it is hung on the wall. Nothing should ever be in a straight line or structured. In fact, the best Gallery Walls have the prints displayed randomly, and not aligned. Having different sized frames helps with constructing the overall layout. The best way to decide how you want to display your prints is first laying them all out on the floor and arranging. Because, once that nail hits the wall, it becomes more challenging to re-arrange.

Do you have any tips you consider for Gallery Walls?

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