If you’ve never created a gallery wall – or if you just want some inspiration for designing your next one – then I hope you’ll enjoy this DIY Gallery Wall Bedroom Guide for Beginners!
*Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Opposite Wall. As always, all opinions are my own. See my disclosure policy here.*
Most of us love gallery walls, but where do we begin? Everyone seems to have a different approach. And – I suppose – that’s the way it ought to be. After all, we each have different tastes that reflect our personal style at home.
But if you’ve never created a gallery wall, the whole thing can seem really intimidating! I feel your pain ‘cause I’ve been there!
So in today’s tutorial, I’m breaking down the steps to creating a simple, minimal gallery wall – one that you can duplicate at home.
I’ll show you TWO BASIC DESIGNS that you can easily recreate.
And to make things extra easy, I’ve chosen a small wall space – above a bed – to show you how:
LOOK #1
LOOK #2
Once you’ve read the ‘how-to’ then watch it all come together in my YouTube tutorial at the bottom of this post.
Okay, let’s get started!
~The following contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure policy here.~
DIY GALLERY WALL BEDROOM GUIDE FOR BEGINNERS
MATERIALS NEEDED
TO CREATE LOOK #1
- Prints & Frames:
- All Prints & Frames featured in this tutorial are from Opposite Wall. Each comes in a variety of sizes. I selected the following:
- “Movement” (I chose 12 X 16 inch)
- “Target” (I chose 8 X 10 inch)
- “Figures” (I chose 12 X 16 inch)
- “Contemplation in White” (I chose 16 X 20 inch)
- “Blowing Grasses” (I chose 8 X 10 inch)
- OTHER MATERIALS:
- Postal Wrapping Paper
- Pencil, Ruler, Scissors, Painter’s Tape
- Tape measure
- A small level
- 3M Command Strips (narrow size)
TO CREATE LOOK #2
- I used the same prints and frames from Look #1 to recreate Look #2 (see links above)
- Photo/Picture Ledge (I purchased a 60-inch one which came with hardware)
- Screwdriver
- A punch tool
- Mallet
- Long Level (e.g., 24 inch level)
STEPS
STEP 1: SELECTING PRINTS & FRAMES
To make things REAL SIMPLE – for the beginners – I suggest keeping your colour palette and frame selection minimal, clean and closely matching in colour or tone.
For example, because our guest bedroom is a mix of white, cream, grey, and beige, I chose prints that replicated these colours closely.
Opposite Wall:
It was easy to find this soft, minimal aesthetic online at Opposite Wall. They are a Canadian-based, direct-to-consumer design studio that produces the most beautiful prints – and frames – at affordable prices.
They’ve got everything from floral to landscape to abstract to black and white, photography, illustrations, kids’ posters, and more.
You may remember a previous gallery wall that I created in our Great Room. It is a black and white statement wall with touches of green using prints that I purchased from Opposite Wall.
(See that tutorial here: The Modern Minimalist Gallery Wall Guide for Beginners)
The results were SO STUNNING that when Opposite Wall reached out to me about a collaboration, I jumped at the chance to partner with them!
Okay, onto the next steps.
STEP 2: MEASURE, MEASURE, MEASURE
Before purchasing your prints and frames, measure the space you wish to cover.
Again, I suggest keeping things simple.
In this case, it’s easiest to focus on the space directly above the headboard. Here is how our wall space appeared before adding a gallery wall.
- Measure the width of your headboard.
(I suggest the gallery wall be approximately ¾ the width of the headboard).
- Measure the height available above the headboard.
(If you have a low-profile headboard – as I do – then I suggest creating a gallery wall that’s also low-profile. Meaning, don’t feel you have to fill the entire space from the top of the headboard to the ceiling. That’ll just create a disproportionate appearance to your statement wall gallery.)
Okay, read on to see how I put together Look #1.
LOOK #1: HORIZONTAL FLAT LAY
The absolute SIMPLEST design would be a “Horizontal Flat Lay.”
For this design, all you need are pieces that line up horizontally – more or less. Just imagine a horizontal line running through from left to right.
TIP #1: Lay Artwork On The Floor
Play around with the design by laying your pieces on the floor before committing to a design on your wall.
TIP #2: Choose a focal point
Use one large piece to act as a focal point, then use smaller pieces for contrast.
To create balance, place that one large piece close to the midpoint.
TIP #3: Attach Cut-Outs Above the Bed
Before hanging your framed prints, place them on postal paper, trace around them, cut each piece, then tape your cut-outs above the headboard.
Then, play around with the placement until you are happy with the look.
TIP #4: Design as one cohesive unit
Measure 2-3 inches between each piece so that the gallery wall feels like one cohesive statement, as opposed to several prints hung at various points.
This will make it feel like one cohesive unit.
If you are feeling brave, allow a couple of your pieces to be slightly off-set, to create interest.
TIP #5: Use Command Strips To Hang Your Prints
Nothing is worse that realizing that your carefully-crafted gallery wall is crooked or mis-measured after it’s all hanging up.
My advice? Using 3M Command Strips to hang your artwork. If you make a mistake, no problem! Simply remove from your wall and start again.
(Watch the video below and see how easy they are to use).
Replace Cut-Outs With The Real Thing!
Once you are happy with the design on your wall, begin replacing each cut-out, one-by-one.
LOOK #1: FINAL RESULTS
LOOK #2: PICTURE LEDGE DISPLAY
STEP #1: Determine the Height of the Picture Ledge
Measure the height that you’ll want your ledge to hang at.
If the headboard is nearly flush with the wall, then hang the picture ledge high enough so that no one’s head accidentally collides with the edge of that ledge!
STEP #2: Attach Picture Ledge to Wall
Most picture ledges come with hardware and instructions. Follow the instructions closely.
The picture ledge I purchased was 60 inches (with invisible brackets), but if you cannot find one that long, line up 2 or 3 picture ledges to create the same effect.
SOME TIPS
TIP #1: Use a Long Level
Keep a level on that picture ledge to ensure that it is perfectly horizontal before attaching to the wall.
TIP #2: Ask Your Spouse or A Friend To Assist
Hanging up a picture ledge is difficult to do on your own, so be sure to ask your spouse or a friend!
Fur-babies don’t count! They are cute, but unhelpful 🙂
TIP #3: Arrange Your Gallery Using A “Mountain Range” Design
Have fun and be creative, but if you are not sure how to create a look that’s aesthetically pleasing, you may want to try using the “Mountain Range” effect.
This is when you hand a larger piece next to a smaller piece next to a larger piece, and so on.
Don’t be too precise about it (after all, mountain ranges are not symmetrical) and play around with heights.
LOOK #2: FINAL RESULTS
I hope today’s blog post was useful, especially for those of you who have yet to tackle your first gallery wall.
My advice? Start with just one easy statement wall and then – with a little bit of confidence gained – try your hand at creating one large gallery wall 🙂
If you’d like to see how I created these two looks, watch the tutorial below from my YouTube channel:
SHOP THIS POST
PRINTS & FRAMES:
-
- All Prints & Frames featured in this tutorial were sent to me by Opposite Wall. Each come in a variety of sizes. I selected the following:
- “Movement” (I chose 12 X 16 inch)
- “Target” (I chose 8 X 10 inch)
- “Figures” (I chose 12 X 16 inch)
- “Contemplation in White” ( I chose 16 X 20 inch)
- “Blowing Grasses” (I chose 8 X 10 inch)
PICTURE LEDGE:
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