How to Hang a Gallery Wall (Without a Million Nail Holes)

Gallery walls feel intimidating because we try to plan them on the wall. The fix? Plan them on paper first.

Step 1: Choose a mix of art

Include prints, family photos, a small mirror, a plate or two, even a kid’s drawing. Tie it all together with one repeating element, like black frames or a common color.

Step 2: Lay it out on the floor

Arrange everything on the floor in a space the size of your wall. Keep 2–3 inches between frames. Start with the largest piece slightly off-center and build outward.

Step 3: Make paper templates

Trace each frame on kraft paper, cut it out and mark exactly where the nail goes. (A frame set with templates does this for you.)

Step 4: Tape templates to the wall

Use painter’s tape. Live with it for a day and adjust until it feels right.

Step 5: Hammer through the paper

Nail right through the marked spot, tear the paper away and hang your frame. Perfect placement, zero extra holes.

The center of the whole arrangement should sit about 57” from the floor, the same height galleries use.