Putting up a gallery wall with photos + artwork

Full disclaimer, these gallery wall tips are coming from someone with ZERO framing/hanging/art experience so if you’re a professional in these areas… maybe look away now 🙈  

The most important thing in my view is DO NOT OVERTHINK IT. It’s easy to get caught up with all the design rules and “do’s & don’ts” – but this is your home, not an art gallery or a pinterest board – hang up whatever makes you happy!!

And anyway, why should YOU overthink it when I’ve already overthought it all for you?

For my photography displayed in our gallery wall, I have used Aeterna Lab (Geelong) & Prism Imaging (Melbourne) for printing; Kardinia Picture Framing (Geelong) & Prism Imaging were used for framing.

TIP 1

PRINTING

If you’re going to display photos somewhere you’re going to look at everyday, especially if they’re larger than 4x6, I BEG OF YOU, please don’t get your photos printed at k-mart (*can someone tag my mum in this*).   Find your local photo print lab or try one of these excellent online options. You will notice a HUGE difference in the quality, I promise (plus, isn’t it much nicer supporting small businesses?)

Prism Imaging
Aeterna Lab
Camera + Photo Ocean Grove
Digital Works

TIP 2

FRAMING

You can often get away with framing smaller prints yourself, personally though I think once you get around A4 size, you’re best to outsource (bonus tip- talk to your framers about getting non-reflective art glass, it’s AMAZING). I highly recommend the following framers, all of which have been used in this gallery wall!
Kardinia Picture Framing
Prism Imaging
The Frame Shop Geelong

Artwork - Jennifer Tarry-Smith, Framed by The Frame Shop (Geelong)

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GETTING THE LAYOUT RIGHT

Pinterest is your best friend for design layout inspiration.

Pick a few layouts that you like and if you can (and already have your artwork / prints ready), lay your photos/art out on the floor first to get a sense of what it will look like together. Then, measure some butchers paper to size, stick them up on the wall so you can see how it will all come together on your wall.

If you don’t have your artwork / framed photos yet, you can (and probably should) do this step in reverse.

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MEASUREMENTS

Artwork Jeff Raglus

Google tells me that around 5-7cm in between frames is ideal (and hanging height is around 20-25cm off a piece of furniture). We ended up going around 5cm between frames which I’m happy with.

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DESIGN  

Personal taste & style is going to dictate whether you mix and match frame colours/sizes, whether you go with all b&w photos or mix photos & artwork together.   What is eclectic to me, might seem cluttered to you and vice versa.

Personally, I tend to stick with 1-2 similar coloured frames; I don’t mind mixing up black & white with coloured photographs - but I think some people would say that’s a no-no! If you’re looking through pinterest for inspiration, it’s worthwhile taking note of what you DON’T like just as much as what you DO like.

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SUPPORT LOCAL (if you can❤️)

There are so many amazing local artists & photographers who put their heart & soul into their artwork, if you are in a position to consider purchasing from local artists.

If you’re in Geelong, I would highly recommend checking out Boom Gallery which is where I discovered the amazing work of artists Jeff Raglus & Jennifer Tarry-Smith displayed in my gallery wall.

If you have any questions at all, please let me know!