Gallery Walls

Displaying Framed Image Groupings

Traditionally when hanging pictures on the wall, one picture would be hung by itself, and that was that. While a single piece of art can be inspiring and lovely to look at, sometimes you need your wall display to do more. Does it need to tell a story? Is it a conversation piece? Does it continue to capture your attention?

When one picture is not enough, you can group images together for a more cohesive display. Framed groupings are very fashionable right now. No longer do you have to decide which piece goes on the wall – put them all up!

It’s easy to create a grouping that is completely unique to you, your style and your home. The good news is there are no rules, and lots of different ways to achieve an interesting grouping.

Framing is a great way to enjoy a collection of images. If the images are linked items, a series, or visually similar, consistency is the key to making this grouping feel like a collection. The images in our example are the same coloring, so it is easy to frame them all with the same matting and moulding. Consistent design emphasizes that the grouping belongs together and brings focus to the art.

An extremely long or tall wall can be intimidating to fill. For a wide horizontal space, consider multiple pieces hung side by side. Buy a panoramic print, cut it into three pieces, and frame each piece individually but in the same style.

A Symmetrical layout is even and organized, creating a formal, structured arrangement. They tend to be grid-based, with equal sizes and consistent framing styles. Images may either line up horizontally, vertically or both based on the number of pieces, shape of individual pieces and overall size. Treat a grouping of pictures as a single unit.

Balance: When creating the grouping layout for the wall, there needs to be a sense of balance. A general rule is to begin in the center and work outward, making sure that the larger pieces always have a counter balance. It’s ok to mix vertical and horizontal pieces. For symmetrical layouts, measure your available space to make sure your pieces are properly centered. If you have an uneven space to fill (like by a staircase), keep the heaviest piece to the bottom as your eye naturally goes from bottom left to top right. If your asymmetrical arrangement is in a normal sized space, the heaviest piece should be placed in the center.

Plan. It. Out. Having a set plan of how the grouping will hang will save you a wall full of nail holes! The ideal situation is to choose which pieces you want to have framed for this area, and get them all designed at the same time, so that you will have a cohesive look.

Spacing between each piece should be proportional to the overall size you have available. If pieces are placed too close it will make the art look crowded; too far apart will make it feel disconnected. Varying spacing can seem chaotic and random. Generally, 2” to 3” apart is a good distance between each piece. Correct spacing sometimes depends on the amount of room you can devote to the grouping.

After the images are framed, make a template of each piece to be hung. Trace around the outside of the frame on kraft paper, cut out the shape, and label it. Note on the paper whether the art is vertical or horizontal. You may also want to note which picture it is. Secure the templates to the wall with painter’s tape.

Stand back and look at the arrangement. Do you like it? Or do you need to rearrange? Once you have decided on a plan, leave them up there until the pieces are actually hung.