How to Hang a Gallery Wall - With Nest Effects Acrylic Photos

Creating a beautiful gallery wall in your home can be an exciting and rewarding project, whether you're a seasoned DIY home décor enthusiast or are just starting to dip your toes into the interior design pool. Hanging a gallery wall allows a unique expression of your style and personality. But if the thought of having to measure, level, cut, and hammer multiple frames into your walls has you feeling overwhelmed then don't worry; we've got the solution you need so that you can hang a stunning gallery wall with ease!

Step One.

If you haven't ordered your photos yet, you will first need to decide on the location and layout that will work best for that space. Measure your wall so you know how tall and wide your gallery can be.

Choosing the right place and arranging it properly is key, so start by assessing different spaces in which you could put your gallery wall. Consider places like staircases, entryways, living rooms, bedrooms and dining rooms. Think about hanging your photos near furniture you want to emphasize or hang it above something low lying like a sofá, desk or console table for maximum impact. When arranging, don't feel compelled to hang everything at the same height; break it up with odd heights and different photo sizes.

Starting from scratch? Check out these 18 Layouts for a Photo Gallery Wall to get you started!

If you are pairing your photos with other wall art or décor, we recommend gathering all pictures and wall art and arranging them on the floor. This is the easiest way to rearrange and decide on spacing for a mixed-media gallery wall.

Tip - take pictures with your phone of different configurations to review different layouts side by side.

Step Two.

Select your photos. Once you have decided on a location and layout for your photo gallery wall, next choose which photos you want to include as a part of your gallery. This is the hardest part! With thousands of photos stored in the cloud or on our mobile devices, how do you choose which photos are print-worthy? A great way to hang a gallery wall is to pick out photos that complement each other. Look for similarities in the way photos are represented, like how the colors, lighting, and subjects all work together. Here's a short list to help you narrow down your favorite pics:

• Decide on the purpose of your gallery wall. Are you wanting to showcase family photos, travel memories, or wedding pictures? Deciding on the purpose will help you determine the overall look of your gallery.
• Choose a color scheme. You can select photos that reflect a visual style and complement your décor. Think about how colors will interact with other artwork and décor that is already in the room. For example, do you want photos to be bright and colorful or dark and moody? A well-selected gallery wall can provide an impressive finishing touch to your space!
• Hang a gallery wall with a common theme for an impressive visual impact! It’s a great way to enjoy photos either from a recent event or photos taken over time. Choose a theme such as family, wedding, travel, music, or nature; whatever speaks to you and puts your best memories in focus. Common themes are a great way to tie a gallery wall together!
• Think about creating balance with subjects. For example, look for photo perspectives that are both close-up and far-away. Or, try pairing portraits with family group photos. Lastly, consider grouping together photos of people with pictures of landscapes or architecture. This can help create visual balance so your photo gallery wall stands out!

Need help selecting images for a gallery wall? Read our blog about How to Create the Perfect Gallery Wall.

Step Three.

Now that you have your photos, it's time to prep and hang your gallery wall:

• Make sure your wall is clean and dry. Remember, Nest Effects repositionable adhesive will stick to a variety of surfaces including: Tile, wood, metal, glass, and textured walls!
• Find the center of your wall or where you want the focal point of your gallery to be (usually the placement of the largest photo).
• Stick or hang your largest photo first.
• Make sure your first photo is level, if it's not, you can easily make adjustments by removing and re-sticking your photo!
• Use your nest effects gallery tool to line up your next acrylic photo print.
• Continue to build out the rest of your gallery wall.
• Double-check that each print is level.