Gallery Wall 101: How to Create a Maximalist Gallery Wall
How to mix art prints, break a few decorating rules, and finally do something about that empty wall.
I firmly believe decorating your space should be fun. Gallery walls are especially wonderful because they give you room to experiment with your creativity and bring a lot of color to your space. We've put together a few of our favorite recommendations for creating a maximalist gallery wall. Whether you've bought prints from us before or have a couple of unframed artworks waiting for permission to hang somewhere, we've got your back. The #1 rule is that there are no rules, not really—you can do whatever you want, and that your walls can change however many times you want them too. But here are some 101s that can help you get started:
1. Start with the art you actually love, or already own!
Before worrying about measurements, frame finishes, or whether your living room needs another shade of blue, start collecting artwork that catches your eye. Don't think about what matches with what you already have; just trust your gut and follow your heart. Maybe you're drawn to colorful food illustrations, travel art prints, or portraits of women who have inspired you—they can all live in the same wall space.
2. Mix and match art prints
When mixing and matching art prints, look for small visual connections between pieces. The red in a tomato illustration might appear again in a typography quote you love. A yellow background might pick up the same shade in a floral print across the wall. Those repeated colors help everything feel connected, even when they don't.
3. Play with different print sizes
One of my favorite things about a good gallery wall is the movement. Your eye travels from a large illustration to a tiny framed photograph, then over to something unexpected tucked into the corner, like a glass pendant or a vintage mirror. Start by choosing one or two larger pieces to anchor your arrangement. These will give the wall a visual starting point. Then introduce smaller artworks around them, experimenting with portrait and landscape orientations.
4. Frame or No Frame?
Personally, I love a good frame. But it's your maximalist gallery wall, and you get to make the rules! Which means you can skip the frames altogether, at least some of them... there's something fun and casual about prints pinned directly to the wall, especially when they're mixed in with framed artwork. You can always frame them later if you change your mind.
Just remember that unframed prints are more exposed to dust, sunlight, and everyday wear. For original artwork or pieces you want to preserve for years, I'd recommend a frame.
5. Plan before making holes!
Now for the part that requires a little patience. I know. I'm sorry. I don't have any myself! BUT before reaching for the hammer, lay your framed artwork on the floor and experiment with different arrangements.
The Organic Layout
Start with your largest piece slightly off-center and arrange the remaining artwork around it. This creates that collected-over-time feeling we love.
The Salon-Style Layout
Inspired by traditional salon walls, this arrangement brings artwork closer together and often extends across a large portion of the wall. It's particularly lovely for maximalist interiors.
The Loose Grid
Keep some edges aligned while mixing different print sizes. This is a good option when you want a little more structure without sacrificing variety.
6. Anything can go on the wall!
Get creative with what you hang! Mix your art prints with original paintings, handmade collages, or even one of our glass pendants. Frame a postcard from your travels, an old photograph, or make your own collage with concert tickets and little keepsakes you've collected over the years.
The wonderful thing about a gallery wall is that you never really have to finish it. You might come home from one of our markets with a new print, rediscover an old family photograph, or fall in love with an illustration you had absolutely no intention of buying. Make room for it! Rearrange things, experiment with different frames, and keep collecting artwork that makes you happy. Your home is allowed to change its mind.
And if you're currently staring at an empty wall, wondering where to begin, we recommend starting with four art prints. It's enough to experiment with different arrangements and get a little gallery wall going.
We're making that first step easier with our bestselling market deal, now available online: Buy 3 art prints, get 1 FREE! Mix and match across our collections, from Iconic Women and colorful botanicals to Counter Culture and Sobremesa. Pick your four favorites, and the lowest-priced eligible print is automatically free at checkout. No code needed.