Since life has taken us to many new houses over the past 6 years, I've done my fair share of gallery walls, as I've had to adapt my style, to each new wall space. So, to kick off My Eclectic Eye's first blog post, I thought it would be perfect to offer my Top 8 Gallery Wall Tips!
1. Re-use, re-use, re-use:
There's nothing more cost effective than using what you already have. Sometimes all you need is a little paint and gusto...
I've had this clock for over 4 years now. I've always loved it, and have made it work in different set ups, but I knew that I'd love it even more, if I painted it a lighter color. I've always been nervous to do it, though. When planning our new Family Gallery Wall, in our new house, I finally decided to muster up the courage and just do it. It turned out better than I had hoped it would! LOVE it!
I also had an old oak 8x10 frame, that I ended up spray painting with the same color as the clock.
2. Collect Statement Pieces:
Statement pieces can really bring a gallery together. My rule is to use an odd number of pieces, depending on the area you are working with, and spread them out. I use a combination of things that have a special meaning to me, along some pieces that I've come across, on sale. I hardly ever pay full price for anything. There's always things on sale, or some kind of coupon that can be used for full priced items, especially with home decor. If I love something that isn't on sale or can't buy with a coupon, then I wait... If not I don't luck out and it doesn't end up on sale, eventually, then its just not meant to be. Haha! If I do pay full price for something that I love, its always, what I call an investment piece. Something that you'll be able to use over and over again.
3. Add Depth:
Sometimes just by adding certain statement pieces, you can add depth, but one of my favorite ways to do this, is to incorporate shelving. I love shelving, because it allows me to display more pieces that cant always be hung on a wall.
4. Make it YOU:
If you haven't already noticed, I LOVE clocks! I actually have a Pinterest board named, "Coo Coo for Clocks". Make sure to incorporate pieces that support the rest of the decor in that room, and that represents your interests. Because in the end, this gallery wall will be in YOUR home, and YOU will be the one looking at it every day. If you incorporate things that you love, then you will instantly love it.
On another wall in the same room as our Family Gallery Wall, I have large shelf with some of my favorite decorations. A couple of years ago, I repurposed an old wooden clock and it's now sitting on the big shelf, adjacent to the Family Wall. I made sure to use some clock paper when I decorated my "family" letters, and definitely wanted to use my newly painted white clock, as well.
5. Study your Options:
Lay out everything on the floor and pick your favorite combination. Taking pictures with my phone, of each arrangement, helps me keep my brain from hurting, and gives me a way of scrolling through all the possibilities at the end, to make a final decision.
6. Play with Color:
The 12x12 frame I was used came with a light beige 8x8 mat. I decided to cut a new mat with some left over lavender mat board, from a different project.
7. Prepare the Wall:
Once you have the layout you love, trace each piece on paper, and cut them out. I use a large paper roll, I got from a place in Michigan, called The Scrap Yard. I like using this, because I don't have to use multiple pieces of paper, taped together to trace out the larger pieces. It makes it so much easier. After this, flip each piece over and place the paper on top, to mark the area on the frame, where the piece will hang on the wall. This way, you'll have no doubt where the nail needs to go. Next, with painters tape (so you don't end up taking paint off the wall when its removed), tape the paper pieces onto the wall, where you want them. I use a tape measure, and a level to make sure everything is where I want them to be. Then, either simply poke through and mark where the nail or screw needs to go, or just go ahead and place the nail or screw in the paper, then tear it off, once the nail is secure.
8. Then, simply Hang the Pictures:
This is my favorite part! However, I have one BIG tip, with this...make sure you're in a decent mood and/or not rushed. It's never a good idea to have a power tool or hammer around your newly painted walls, when you've got a bad case of the grumps. Trust me on this one! haha!
I hope you enjoyed reading these 8 tips and I'd love to see some pictures of your Gallery Wall creations! Feel free to comment if you have any questions!
