Gallery Walls

By Colleen Sullivan  | Published on September 4, 2024

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!”

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.”

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.”

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.”