Gallery Walls: How to Make Them & Make Them Your Own

Written & Photography By Madeleine Brady

At one point or another, you most likely have encountered a gallery wall. Whether you looked up “aesthetic wall decor” on Pinterest, saw a collection of framed paintings and certificates at your grandparent's house, or watched a movie where the cool older sibling character had a wall filled with posters. Gallery walls are a great way to add interest and personalization to any room.

My gallery wall journey began in late 2019. I was a high school senior on TikTok when my For You page was filled with people painting sunsets on second-hand records and Kermit the Frog on light switch covers. I hung what little decor I made on the wall in a blank space and hoped that eventually, a vision would come together. By March 2020, there was nothing better to do than create more things to add to the wall. By the time it felt complete, it consisted of printed photos of me and my friends, colorful drawings, records, The Breakfast Club movie poster, and paint swatches from Home Depot. Although it wasn’t big, it added life to a place where I was stuck during Covid.

Fast forward a year later, I’m a freshman in college and I’ve got an entire dorm room to myself. I had four blank walls that I was quick to cover with various posters, tapestries, and records. Being able to decorate my dorm room was such an important part of making that temporary space feel more personalized. Now, I’m a junior in college and I’m living with two of my best friends. When I moved in, I was finally able to have full control over what I wanted in my bedroom, and more specifically, my gallery walls. I mean, I could finally nail things to the walls! It was here that I finally learned just how much freedom you can have with wall space.

Some will say that a gallery wall strictly consists of framed artwork and photos. Although artwork and photos are a great place to start, you have the ability to add much more. There are several ways to flesh out wall decor, and it can be different based on who you are as a person. For some, it might seem better to decide everything you want to include on your wall, lay it out on the ground, find out exactly how you want it, and then tack each piece in place. Most people think this is the only way to create a gallery wall and that you need to be organized in order to make one. I am living proof that this isn’t true.

My advice for those more like me, who may be uncomfortable crafting an entire collection at once, is to start with something that feels like an obvious centerpiece. It can be something large like a mirror or TV, or something smaller that you feel drawn to. Creating a gallery wall is great practice in listening to your intuition. After you’ve chosen your starting point, hang that one item up. From there, you can build around and out until you’re satisfied. The most common misconception about gallery walls is that they are only for people who lean towards maximalist decor. In actuality, they have so much freedom and customization that they can fit your style, no matter what it is.

The biggest tip I've learned when creating my walls is that there are no limits to what can be added. As of now, my walls include a map, hats, a guitar, random pieces of paper from my friends, cool business cards, framed art from my childhood bedroom, and lots of my favorite records. Scarves, coats, and sunglasses are great things to include if you’re into fashion. Records, instruments, and old sheet music work for music lovers. Experimenting allows you to find your style.

At the end of the day, gallery walls are more than just busy decoration. They can act as an extension of yourself and a way to make a space you spend a lot of time in feel more like your own. Whether you’re an experienced curator or a beginner aesthete, crafting your own gallery wall is the perfect way to hone your creative instincts.