25 Designer-Approved Ideas for Modernizing a Gallery Wall

Gallery walls never go out of style, but there are a few tricks to keeping them of the moment.

Thanks to their ability to add character, color, and depth to a space, gallery walls have been popular in design for centuries. Originally known as salon walls, their history dates back to 17th century France, when walls were filled floor to ceiling with large collections of art.

Fast forward to the 2010s, when DIYers created gallery walls with evenly spaced, matchy-matchy framed art. “Today, we’re leaning into a more eclectic look with mismatched frames and art styles,” says Brad Ramsey, the principal and founder of Brad Ramsey Interiors. “The intent is to show more of a curated reflection of the homeowner’s style.”

Adding a touch of thoughtfulness by including personal mementos is now considered the hallmark of a well-appointed gallery wall. “With the right elements, a gallery wall can tell a story and turn a room into an immersive experience by allowing for more personalization and creativity,” says Tiffany Cobb, the principal interior designer at Tiffany Rene Interior Design.

Looking for a gallery wall refresh? Ahead, top designers share their reinvention tips.

Keep It Meaningful

“Gallery walls work best when the art feels authentic and collected over time,” says Leah Harmatz, the founder of Field Theory. One way to ensure this is to include imagery that tells the story of a space and its location. “At The Lodge at Sonoma Resort, my partner and I worked with an art consultant to ensure every piece in a gallery wall tied back to the heritage of the region, including portraits and landscapes painted by local artists,” says Mark Wilson, co-founder of Wilson Ishihara Design.

“A gallery wall grouping that speaks to unique interests or has personal significance can instantly set the tone for the rest of the room's design,” says Cathy Glazer, the founder of Artfully Walls.

Related: The 17 Best Picture Frames of 2024 to Display Your Favorite Memories

Paint the Wall a Bold Color

Don't be afraid to feature a daring backdrop. “A dark or bold wall color can make a whole collection pop and feel current,” says Kira Obermeier, founder and principal of Kira David Design. “You can even match your frame color to introduce unity.”

If you’re building your gallery wall against a bright color, "embrace the eclectic and opt for colorful art in shapely and vibrant frames,” suggests designer Beth Diana Smith, a spokesperson for HomeGoods.

Mix Art with Metals

Mixing materials is one way to achieve a modern effect when it comes to a gallery wall. “I love to hang whimsical metal sculptures alongside colorful abstract paintings to create balance and structure. The result is a fun-filled wall that feels fresh and purposeful,” says Nadia Watts, the owner of Nadia Watts Interior Design.

Stay Away from Lots of Small Pieces

Too many small-scale items can make a gallery wall feel frenzied, while using a few big items creates a dramatic and contemporary look that's both impactful and sophisticated. “Consider anchoring a gallery wall with a large, eye-catching piece that stretches from the floor to the ceiling to draw the eye upward, create the illusion of a higher ceiling, and introduce a sense of grandeur,” says Marie Cloud, the owner and principal designer at Indigo Pruitt.

Cover the Wall in Wallpaper

“I turn to pattern and layering to keep a gallery wall feeling fresh,” says Peter Dunham, an interior designer and owner of Peter Dunham & Associates. “People are afraid to pile art on top of a wallpapered or upholstered wall, but I think that’s when a gallery wall looks best. I love to layer a paisley print with art I’ve collected from around the world. It’s all about out with the blah, in with the hyper personality!”

Find a Common Element

When done right, a gallery wall can ground a room that has a lot going on. “Using a mutual thread within your work of art, whether that be a color, medium, or frame type, will help unify your entire space,” says Watts.

“Working a single thread such as a color or color temperature throughout your gallery wall can create unity and balance," says Barbara Montgomery, the gallery director at The Vendue. "I like to pull color from bedding, carpet, furniture, and draperies and feature it in the artwork.”

Turn the Corner

For a long time, it was understood a gallery wall needed to be centered on a blank wall. “But in 2024 we’re being more experimental,” says Alissa Johnson, the principal and founder of Alissa Johnson Interiors. “Try placing a gallery wall in a corner. Doing so will draw your eye inward to both walls and being decidedly unsymmetrical is what makes this look and feel modern.”

Embrace Texture

Texture is a powerful tool in modernizing gallery walls. “By incorporating a mix of materials—like woven textiles, dimensional art, or even layered frames—you can add depth and interest to a space,” says Cloud. “The tactile quality of these elements invites interaction, creating a more engaging and dynamic experience that transforms the traditional gallery wall into a contemporary statement."

Feature a Destination

Showcasing a place or destination allows the creator to share a journey while keeping the content of a gallery wall unified. “For a San Francisco-based client, I integrated structural and architectural drawings from the city’s famous landmarks including the Golden Gate Bridge along with maps of the Bay area. The vibe was both relative and current,” says Cynthia Tran, the founder of Cynthia Lananh.

“A successful gallery needs to tell a story while enhancing the design narrative of the room. I use gallery walls in many of the spaces I conceive for Oceania to help set the mood and transport guests to different parts of the world,” says Yohandel Ruiz, the founding partner of Studio DADO.

Break from the Traditional Grid

Not everything on a gallery wall needs to be in a frame. "Embrace organic shapes and mediums to maintain interest,” says Laura Tribbett, the principal and founder of Outline Interiors. “Painting, photography, textiles, needlepoint, mirrors, and clocks are some of my go-to formats when curating a gallery wall to help create a visual break from traditional grid patterns.”

“Breaking away from traditional grids introduces a sense of spontaneity,” adds Kari Bennett, the founder + CEO of EDGEiD. “Mixing scales adds dynamism and visual interest.”

Stage with Sculpture

“If your gallery wall is huge, dare to install sculpture alongside it using pieces with a strong material presence, which will contribute to a dramatic yet playful look,” says Valentina Ferrari, the gallery director at Grand Hotel Bristol.

“Be generous with scale for a dramatic effect,” says Eddie Lee, an interior designer and owner of Eddie Lee Inc. “I love to incorporate an oversized grid pattern to keep things feeling fresh and symmetrical. Adding a three-dimensional element like a sculpture or sconce to a gallery wall creates depth.”

Tap Into Your Collectibles

Gallery walls allow you to showcase collections or quirky decor. “I once filled a gallery wall with whimsical shell masks featuring unique shapes,” says Watts. “The scale of the masks called for multiples, and the result was a harmonious balance where the eye has room to roam and take in the beauty of the handcrafted art.”

Consider Sleek Framing

If your space features eclectic furniture and elements, consider framing your art with modern frames made of smooth wood or metal. "Their clean lines introduce a contemporary touch to a gallery wall, creating a striking contrast with the more intricate decor in the room," says Glazer.

Switch Up Mat Styles

A gallery wall filled with black-and-white photographs is both classic and timeless. The key to keeping it modern is switching up the interior framing. “Not all matting has to be exactly the same or, alternatively, wildly different on a gallery wall. “I often vary mat styles in my work for Viking, where some images feature a traditional mat while others bleed to the edge,” says Richard Riveire, a founding principal at Rottet Studio.

Play Into Symmetry

Experts suggest letting symmetry and balance guide your placement when modernizing a gallery wall. “Art or sculptures hung with symmetry in mind create a feeling of structure,” says Watts. “The repetition is comforting and pleasing to the eye.”

Consider Slightly Different Frames

“Choosing frames in the same metal or wood family but slightly different shapes is one way to create a unified look that doesn't feel like you're stuck in the 2010s,” says Megan Pflug, the principal designer at Megan Pflug Designs. “My favorite way of doing this is by framing sections of wallpaper. I love choosing what part of the pattern falls within the frame so I can highlight different parts of the paper.”

Incorporate Vintage Pieces

“Antique elements add a playful touch while maintaining a minimalist, timeless aesthetic," says Julija Stoliarova, the creative director and co-founder of Eastwind Hotels.

“Gallery walls work best when the art is collected over time,” agrees Harmatz. “For a redesign at the Hotel Lilien, which was built in the 1890s, I sifted through antique art discovered in the building and grouped together pieces that felt like they were revealing a story.”

Related: 10 Ways to Add Vintage Decor to Your Interior Style

Allow for Breathing Room

In the past, gallery walls were created on solid walls and featured items hung within an inch or two of each other. “A modern approach is to present a gallery wall in sections,” says Glazer. “A room with windows is an ideal way to achieve this goal.”

Add Side Pieces

“A four-top gallery wall looks simple and chic. However, adding two larger works on each side can bring drama to the space and help balance the scale of the large wall,” says Watts.

Continue to Reimagine

A gallery wall should be an evolving collection of items reflective of your tastes and experiences,” says Harmatz. “It could include a mixture of paintings, drawings, photographs, even old maps yet for it to remain fresh, it needs to grow with your interests and family.”

Select and Uncommon Spot

Gallery walls feel fresh when they appear in unexpected places, like over a doorway, bed, or fireplace. “A headboard tends to be the design focal point in most bedrooms,” says Montgomery. “I like to fill that space with contemporary artwork that includes bright colors reflective of the other hues in the room.”

Celebrate Controlled Chaos

“Gallery walls rooted in lots of eye candy should be placed where they can be easily seen, like an entry, stairwell, or dining room,” says Beth Diana Smith. “Incorporating objects from your travel in these eclectic walls becomes both a reminder of where you’ve been and a conversation piece for guests.”

Mix and Match

“Utilize art of different sizes, colors, mediums, shapes, subjects, and frames,” says Christine Carney, director of design at Blackberry Farm Design. “Your collection should be something you can’t resist curating, one that makes it so you’re not sure where to look next.”

Play Up Words

In the past, an expression of thought was never part of a gallery wall. "Today, mixing words, names, and phrases gives voice to a gallery wall,” says Tribbett. “Consider featuring letters and words on things like wood paddles, fabric pendants, or even a letter board for the flexibility to swap phrases over time.”

Gallery Wall Hanging Tips

Once you’ve selected the pieces you’d like to feature on your wall, lay and arrange them on the floor. Cut papers in the same shape as the items you’ll be hanging, then adhere the papers onto the wall so you can visualize the overall display. When you’re ready to hang, avoid nail holes by using a tool like Command Picture Hanging Strips.

Related: How to Hang a Gallery Wall in 5 Easy Steps

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