HOW TO BUILD AN ART WALL
Interior notes
CREATE AN ART WALL
Art wall, poster wall, gallery wall. Whatever you prefer to call it, creating a display of multiple framed pieces of art isn’t as difficult or intimidating as you might think. All you need is some preparation, a few tools, and our simple step-by-step guide.
An art wall is a great way to display your favorite pieces of art in a vibrant and interesting way. It adds a focal point to the room and can be designed to fit into any space in your home. Whether it’s delineating a reading nook or hanging art in your dining room or decorating your entryway.
However, there is an art to creating an art wall that cohesively creates a visual statement, with each piece contributing to the final aesthetic. Your artwork may be carefully chosen and cherished, but it doesn’t necessarily go together, even if it’s all your favorite. There are a few things to consider, including choosing the artwork and frames, as well as how and where to hang it.
So, before you start hammering, read our simple step-by-step guide on how to create an art wall – and get tips and insights from our creative team.
YOU ARE JUST 4 EASY STEPS AWAY FROM YOUR NEW ART WALL
1 — SEARCH SEARCH SEARCH
This is perhaps the most important step: determining the overall style and theme of your art wall and sketching out an initial layout.
2 — MEASURE
Play around with different layouts and determine whether the frames should be aligned or hung asymmetrically. Also, be sure to measure the spacing between art prints.
3 — FINAL SELECTION
It’s time to select and purchase your final art prints, whether it’s a few pieces or a full wall of art. Remember that choosing the frame is just as important as choosing the artwork.
4 — HANG YOUR ART WALL
Arrange your framed artwork on the floor for a final look at your future art wall. Now hang your artwork — and remember not to hang it too high.
STEP 1/ RESEARCH
The first and most important step in creating an art wall is finding inspiration. You don’t just want to research the prints and artwork you want to buy. More importantly, you should start by thinking about different color palettes or an overarching theme. Think about whether you want a subtle pop of color like a blush tone or whether you want to keep things neutral with delicate lines and organic shapes.
Different themes, colors or styles can be mixed endlessly, but keeping a cohesive element for all your rooms will help your art wall blend together elegantly.
The key tool for this is to create a mood board. The best places to find inspiration are Instagram and Pinterest. And if you need a starting point, feel free to visit our own Instagram feed or check out our current Pinterest mood board for endless inspiration for your gallery wall.
When gathering your research, be sure to consider different sizes as well as different art styles. Mixing delicate drawing and bold graphics can create a completely new dynamic.
STEP 2/ MEASURE
Knowing the size of your wall is a good place to start. Measure the space you want your art wall to take up before purchasing new pieces or hanging your treasured heirloom. You can get a better visual idea of how your art wall should look (and how big it should be) by taping “empty frames” to the wall.
If you are an artist or know how to use a professional drawing tool, you can have fun sketching different arrangements before applying the empty frames to your wall to inspect the result. And if drawing yourself or with a professional tool is out of reach, don't worry - you can also use a standard writing program on your computer. Try inserting images found online of your future artwork to get an idea of how different patterns and textures interact with each other.
STYLE TIP Don’t forget to consider the distance between each piece of art. This is essential because it allows the artwork to breathe and stand out separately while still being part of a whole. Ultimately, it’s up to you how much space you want between each piece, but we recommend a space between 3 and 10 cm to ensure an overall look that’s pleasing to the eye.
Take your time and remember that Rome wasn’t built in a day. Make the process enjoyable and try out lots of different layout options. Should the edges of the frames be aligned to create a sense of symmetry, or do you want everything to be slightly off-center? The possibilities are truly endless.
Once you find a layout you like, take a picture of it and save it for future reference.
STEP 3/ FINAL SELECTION
At this point, you should have a clearer idea of how many prints will make up your art wall, the sizes, and the overall vibe you want to bring to your space. Now comes the fun part: shopping for the prints and art pieces that work best. Whether you’re creating a full art wall or adding to the artwork you already own.
When planning your art wall, also consider frames. Whether you opt for a modern look with monochromatic frames or mix and match different frame colors and types, your framing can bring just as much style and personality to your space as the artwork itself. Considering different textures or colors—and choosing well-made, high-quality frames—is an essential step in achieving the art wall of your dreams.
If you're feeling creative, The Poster Club offers a range of beautiful frame paint colours, created in collaboration with File Under Pop. Frame Paint allows you to renew old frames and transform the expression of any artwork.
At The Poster Club, we want to make it easy and enjoyable to assemble your art wall. That’s why we always offer free framing when you purchase one of our frames with the art print of your choice. Browse our selection of wood and aluminum frames and find the style that suits your home.
If creating a gallery wall yourself seems too intimidating – or you just need a spark of inspiration to get started – be sure to check out our curated art wall designs.
STEP 4/ SET UP YOUR ART WALL
Before you decide where to hang your art wall, start by laying your framed artwork on the floor in your chosen layout. Pay attention to cohesion and spacing, and don't be afraid to change things up if you don't feel like it.
It’s time to decide where the centre of your gallery wall will be. It’s easy to be tempted to hang your artwork too high. However, the centre of your art wall should be about 5 feet off the floor. This is the average height of the human eye and is often used as a standard in galleries and museums. By doing this throughout your home, you’ll create a sense of balance as all of your artwork will share a visual centre line.
Now all that's left is to hang your well-planned, perfectly measured, and beautifully matched art wall. All you need is a good pocket ruler, a spirit level, and patience.
STYLE TIP Use low-tack tape to maintain consistent spacing between frames
When the last nail is hammered into the wall and every piece of art is leveled, pour yourself a well-deserved cup of coffee, sit back and enjoy.