How to create an Instagram-worthy gallery wall: Interiors experts on framing and displaying your art

Gallery walls, featuring a curated display of photographs, paintings, prints, maps, or even embroidery, continue to be a popular trend for transforming home spaces, adding color, personality, and intention. During lockdown periods, the Affordable Art Fair saw a 145 percent increase in sales, with a significant portion from Londoners, as people sought art that evoked a sense of calm, such as birds, woodland, and natural landscapes. Deborah Allan, director of Wychwood Art, emphasizes art's positive impact on mood, especially during challenging times. Creating an effective gallery wall requires careful planning to achieve an effortless look. According to Kate Bryan, art historian and head of collections at Soho House, a captivating gallery wall should appear connected. She suggests starting from the middle and adding pieces organically, ensuring that edges don't perfectly align to allow each item its own space. Alternatively, for a more structured approach with a complete collection, one can use masking tape to define an imaginary perimeter and fill the space, placing larger pieces in the corners to provide a visual foundation. Bryan advises tailoring the display to the specific space: for small walls, she recommends a circular arrangement of similar-sized works radiating outwards; for narrow areas, emphasize height; and above a sofa, emphasize width. Larger, open-plan spaces offer more freedom for playful and diverse arrangements. Affordable art sources include prints, which offer a simple way to add personality and are ideal for those unable to purchase originals or seeking trend-led pieces. Desenio, a Scandinavian interior design company, provides a wide range of posters in various sizes, from block-color palm prints to abstract line drawings. Print Club London specializes in limited edition screen prints, while Nine x Nine offers illustrated designs by emerging artists. For original works, Bryan suggests exploring the #artistsupportpledge tag on Instagram, where artists sell pieces for £200 or less, with a commitment to purchase another artist's work after earning £1,000. Other sources for original art include the Jealous Gallery for editions under £100 and The Other Art Fair for direct purchases from artists. Charity editions from museums, like those from Hospital Rooms featuring artists such as Anish Kapoor, also provide accessible original art. Building relationships with young galleries such as Blue Shop Cottage, Bosse and Baum, Arcadia Missa, Sunday Painter, Sid Motion Gallery, and Soft Opening is another avenue. Graduate school shows, now often online, also offer opportunities to support emerging artists. Lisa Dawson, an interiors writer, advises trusting one's gut when sourcing art and emphasizes buying pieces one genuinely loves rather than following trends. She recommends King & McGaw for limited edition prints and Homeplace for mid-century art. The key to a dynamic gallery wall is variety, mixing different media like unframed canvases, framed photographs, float-mounted drawings, prints, embroidery, collages, painted wood, or plates. These diverse elements should be spread out to create visual interest. Dawson suggests juxtaposing textures and art types, incorporating old family photos, limited edition prints, and even tapestries, noting that the collection doesn't need to be expensive but should reflect personal taste. Interiors stylist Joanna Thornhill suggests framing non-art pieces like fabric drops, wallpaper sections, old newspaper cuttings, or vintage vinyl floor pieces on canvas to add unique touches. Regarding framing, Bryan recommends against using identical frames for every piece to achieve a more organic, accumulated look. She advises consulting local framers for advice on mounting and frame types. For valuable pieces, museum-level framing with acid-free backing board and UV-resistant glass is crucial, though it doesn't significantly increase cost. For inexpensive art, ready-made frames from stores like Ikea or Wilko are practical options. Preparation is vital before hanging: measure the wall, lay out the pieces on the floor to arrange them, and take an aerial photo to visualize the final display. Use a pencil to mark nail spots, a tape measure, and a spirit level. For renters, Command picture strips offer a nail-free hanging solution, provided the correct strips are chosen for the weight and size of the frames. Ultimately, the process should be enjoyable, focusing on investing in people and the creative community. #GalleryWall #HomeDecor #ArtDisplay #InteriorDesign #FramingArt #AffordableArt #HomeStyling #PersonalCollection #GalleryWall #HomeDecor #ArtDisplay #InteriorDesign #FramingArt #AffordableArt #HomeStyling #PersonalCollection