Six Easy Steps to Creating a Gallery Wall

All the hard work was worth it! Elle was so thankful for her "new" room.

I love this story because it’s really all about love. My 17-year-old daughter Elle left early one morning in November for Uganda. She had been working toward this trip since the 8th grade and it finally became a realization. She was off to do service work at a prison, a school, a safe house for trafficked girls as well as several other locations that desperately needed attention. I was crazy with worry. The concerned mother in me couldn’t help but be a wreck!

Weeks before she left we had begun talking about her room and creating a gallery wall over her new dresser. As a teenager, she had redone her room so many times it was comical. Elle always had great ideas and would look to me to execute her vision. Ha!

So shortly after she left, I decided I would surprise her with a room makeover! As I updated her room with things I knew she would love, I somehow felt closer to her. The room turned out oh so sweet and I had so much fun putting it together.

When she returned safely, thank goodness, she cried when she saw the updates to her room and especially her new gallery wall. So fun! Keep in mind, we move into our new home in less than six months so everything had to transfer.

Elle's pretty new dresser needed a dose of her personality.

Here are my six tips to creating a gallery wall in your home.

Make it peachy pink! I asked our photographer to create a piece from one of Elle's senior photos.

1 – Choose a color scheme to keep the art and photographs cohesive.

2 – Super important! Start by designing your wall on the floor before you pound one nail! Create your arrangement - moving the art around to get the best visual.

This abstract artwork from Hobby Lobby served as our anchor piece.

3 – Choose one large piece to anchor your wall of art.  It acts as the focal point. I typically place this piece in the center of the wall.

4 – Use art, frames and photos in different shapes and sizes. Hang these pieces both horizontally and vertically.

5 – Assure you have all the necessary tools and hardware to begin hanging. I like museum quality hangers that you can pick up almost anywhere from Target to Home Depot. After you hang that focal center piece, move out from there hanging each piece at an equal distance from the middle piece of art.

This world map art was so appropriate to hang knowing Elle was in Africa helping others.

6 – Hang one piece of art nearby on another wall or nestled on a surface that coincides with your gallery to make the room feel connected.

What a difference! Elle loved her bedroom transformation.

Voila! You have infused personality telling a story through art and photos. All my art (and accessories) were purchased from Hobby Lobby, West Elm, Target, and Marshalls. Most pieces were less than $30! Thankfully, you don’t have to break the bank to decorate, just have fun!