The gallery wall — a composition of several pieces on the same wall — is one of the most expressive ways to decorate. Done well, it looks like a curator's work; done at random, it becomes clutter. The difference lies in a few rules.
Start from the floor, not the wall
Before drilling, lay the prints on the floor and try different combinations. Photograph the arrangements you like: it's the quickest way to decide without risking pointless holes.
A common thread
The pieces can differ in subject, but something must hold them together: the colour palette, the style of the frames or the theme. It's this invisible link that makes the whole feel intentional.
Spacing and alignment
Keep a consistent gap between frames, usually between five and eight centimetres. You can start from an imaginary central axis and grow the composition in a balanced way, or align the pieces along a common baseline.
The right height
The centre of the composition should be at eye level. In a lounge, also consider the seated position: the piece is looked at mostly from the sofa.
