9 Gorgeous Gallery Walls We Love

Creating a gallery wall isn’t easy. After all, there are countless configurations and compositions to choose from. Do you want to display a mix of framed prints and sculptural objects? Would it look better if your photos were arranged in a neat grid or hung up in a haphazard, devil-may-care sort of way? Should you use a mix of square and round frames or stick to one style?

The good news is, there’s no wrong answer! And the better news is that we’ve rounded up nine examples from the WL archives to help guide you. Whether you need a little inspo for your own gallery wall or simply want to see the impact that one can have on a space, scroll through the designer looks below.

High Vis-uals

The owners of this Yaletown loft really wanted to push themselves and decided to embrace colour, texture and pattern. “It was a reflection of a couple who travels all the time—Michael is originally from Australia and Chris is from South Africa,” says designer Ben Leavitt. “The more you see, the more adventurous you are in design.”

Hence the 20-foot wall of artwork. It features camels, cockatoos and other images that remind the pair of their global jaunts. Check out the rest of this playful condo.

Time Capsule

This Smithers, B.C., home is filled with vintage treasures, including an antique shopkeeper’s desk from the early 1890s and a Southbend gas stove. “I like things that age,” says owner Caroline Marko. Even the gallery wall, with its mix of black-and-white photos in wood frames, has an old-timey feel. See more of this community-hall-turned-family-home.

Vacation Mode

Each piece featured on the gallery wall in Melanie Auld’s studio gives off a vacay vibe. But more importantly, they strike a chord with the jewellery designer. “I think lots of people aren’t confident in liking what they like and going for it…but I’m fine with it,” she explains. “If the pieces that you choose are really true to you and who you are, then I feel like they end up pulling everything together.” Peek inside this beachy-cool space.

Arc Way

Basements can sometimes feel dark and cramped, but that’s not the case here. Designer Nam Dang-Mitchell installed grasscloth wallpaper and a gallery wall (featuring a collection of pages cut from photography books) to lend warmth and luxury to the space. The gentle arc she created with the placement of the frames helps, too. Find out how to get this look at home.

Flat White

The owners of Calgary’s Analog coffee really like gallery walls so designer Sarah Ward made sure to give its Westman Village café a clean aesthetic that would let artwork shine. Here, you’ll find photographs of graffiti and streetscapes; fantastical watercolour prints sourced from estate sales and thrift stores; and even a portrait of Richard “Cheech” Marin. Step inside this hip coffee shop.

Small Prints

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need a tape measure or level to create the perfect gallery wall. In this Naikoon Contracting-designed space, picture frames are placed just centimetres apart (if that) at less-than-perfectly-straight angles—and we love it. See more of this cool, industrial living room.

Far Side

And then there’s this space designed by Adam Becker. By laying drywall overtop massive expanses of load-bearing plywood, he eliminated the need to search for studs. In other words, artwork can be hung anywhere… even far away from other pieces! See the rest of this beautifully curated home.

Stair Master

The previous owners of this Yaletown condo left behind a plain white box. So when Vancouver stylist Kat MacInnes moved in, she made some upgrades. “I’d be looking at a wall for too long and think, ‘Okay, that needs something,’” she recalls.

The quirky gallery wall in the stairway is just one example of this. She filled it with photos and prints that denote happiness and comfort. Tour this pretty-in-pink abode.

Hidden Depths

With blue grasscloth wallpaper, a round mirror and a touch of greenery, designer Louis Duncan-He added some dimension, texture and interest to this gallery wall—and kept its mix of similar tones from appearing too monotonous. Explore this bright and airy Calgary home.