A gallery wall is a great way to make a statement and add a personal touch with family photos throughout your home. I rarely print photos so this project we did last winter gave me the push to get some of my favourite images displayed in our home, creating this beautiful gallery of my favourite people.
THIS gallery wall is one of the questions I’m asked about on a regular basis over on Instagram so I figured I’d share all the details here so it is easy to shop and a few things to consider when creating your own.
The main level of our home is open concept, when you walk through the front door you see our stairwell. The large blank space is a great focal point and it is one of the first thing you see when you walk through our front door. I wasn’t sure if we should do six frames or nine frames so it is important to plan ahead and have an idea of what you want to do before you get started.
For our space I knew these prints were going to be photos of our family. I really want to update these images with at least two that are more current. I had all of the prints done in black and white so it was more cohesive, even though the photos were taken at different points in time and different locations. The black and white prints look great in these black frames.
Since I wasn’t sure if we were going to do six frames or nine, I actually purchased nine frames, and nine prints. I ended up returning the three extra frames but then I had three extra photos printed so that I could later narrow my selection to help create balance. I mixed in a few closer up shots, one of each of my boys and a couple family photos of all of us. I LOVE candid family photos. Then tried to balance lighter and darker photos. We just moved the frames around until it felt right. For me, it just boiled down to personal preference how they were placed.
When we hung the prints it was a bit of a guessing game at first to get the height right. The best approach is to consider the gallery wall and one large piece of art. We wanted to make sure the frames were at a nice level on our main level, while also being part of our stairway.
Frames and Prints:
Frames : Ribba Black Frame 24×35 3/4″ (61x91cm) – via Ikea Canada. Also available in white and other sizes.
Prints : 20×30 Poster Prints for $19.97 via Walmart Photo Centre – Prints were ready the next day! This size fit into the frame opening with photo matt. We simply taped them into place.
Our photos are all professional quality, taken by our photographer friends Dave + Pring. We are definitely due for another family session soon! Since we were blowing up these photos, I’d suggest professional photos or at least not iPhone photos for this sizing. We did another gallery in our family room and I used some iPhone photos. Those prints were 16×20 inches.
All said and done the materials for this project was about $270 + tax! And we absolutely love how it turned out!
xo Amy
This is so beautiful! I’m assuming all these were taken with a professional grade camera? I’m guessing an iPhone photo wouldn’t look that good blown up that big, right??
Hi Katelyn, yes our photos were all professional grade photos:) For this sizing I’d go with a higher quality photo, or if you were doing a smaller size print/frame then iPhone photos would likely work! We did another gallery wall in our family room and I used lots of iPhone pics đ
Your gallery wall is beautiful. Where is the white chandelier from?
Hi Ashlie, Thank you!! The light is by Fiess Lighting I believe
love the gallery wall but also , where is your couch and rug and pillows from ?! Love it all !!
Hi Melanie – the couch is from Structube and the pillow is from We Are Pampa đ
Thank you!!! My sofa is from structure and my pillows are from wearepampa, rug and weave, home sense and tonic living
Brilliant! Iâm doing this exact gallery wall in my open concept staircase that is almost identical to yours! However, how did you hang the Ribba frames?! The recessed back has me perplexed.
Hiiiii Brittany – we actually hung them on two nails, they have held up well but I do worry that the frames will bow over time – but we’ve had them up for nearly two years and they seem ok đ
Hi there!
Love the gallery of pics!! What size is your wall (height and width)? Trying to see if this size will work on my wall. I love it!
Hi, I’m not sure the measurements – we have a large area in our stairwell and I’m not sure the exact ceiling height to the space
Hi! What did you use to hang the photos? We havenât had much success keeping them up.
Hi Amanda, we use two nails and set the frame on the nails so it is even and balanced. We don’t use the spot on the frame for the nail. Our frames have been up for a couple years now and I can notice a tiny curve to one of the frames but the have stayed up with no other issues đ
Beautiful home. Do you happen to recall where you purchased your entryway tiles?
Thanks đ
Hi – they were special order from Kent Building Supplies. They have a few other patterns in stock at the store