Much like how we dress and style our hair and makeup, interiors can be one of the ultimate forms of self-expression. As such, hanging artwork provides the home with a highly visual and creative facade – one that is extremely customizable.
Drew Barrymore is known for the colorful pantsuits she wears while hosting The Drew Barrymore Show, along with her vibrant line of homewares, Beautiful by Drew, so it makes sense that self-expression is a core pillar of her interior design philosophy.
The actor-turned-talk show host recently shared a clip of herself in her living room on her Instagram page, and while she was showing off a magazine spread, we couldn't help but admire the gallery wall behind her. A mix of large-scale and miniature paintings and prints, both framed and unframed, line the white walls, coloring the room with natural scenes and abstract works in equal measure.
A gallery wall is, as the name suggests, a curation of photographs, paintings, or prints that are clustered together to create a focal point in a space. While the concept is not necessarily new, experts say that they are seeing clusters of hanging art come up repeatedly in design trends.
'Gallery walls are becoming increasingly popular because they allow people to have personal expression that can be easily updated or added to,' says Courtney Cole, interior designer at Yabby. 'Because they are comprised of many different prints or pieces of art, they can cater to any artistic style or aesthetic you like.'
She continues, 'Their purpose isn’t to be cohesive but an expression of taste in many different forms. With people wanting their homes to be an expression of themselves, a gallery wall is an easy way to do it.'
While choice of artwork is entirely personal and can depend on existing design schemes, when considering gallery wall ideas, Cole says there are a few essential tips to keep them looking tidy and visually pleasing.
'The key to creating a gallery wall that looks unstructured and structured at the same time is to create a balance in the arrangement,' she explains. 'Plan the layout you want. If you have already picked all of the pieces you want to include on your gallery wall, lay them out on the floor to see what pieces look best and where.'
Barrymore's technique of arranging large works with small ones leans into one of Cole's main suggestions of incorporating variety into a gallery wall.
'Mix things around,' she suggests. 'Combine different sizes, frames, and styles to create an interesting look. You can easily do this by including a mix of photographs, artwork, and other decorations you want to hang.'
Finally, consider working around large works – statement pieces automatically work as focal points, and can be accessorized.
'Use big pieces as salient points,' Cole says. 'Try to have a few bigger pieces of art as salient points in the design. I recommend placing some of the larger artwork in the center or at the bottom and then building smaller items around it.'
Abstract and neutral, this fine line print is the perfect pairing for a modern and minimal space.
Pops of color and soft shapes are vibrant and inviting for a communal space.
This print infuses a room with some modern yet natural elements.
The most important aspect of a gallery wall is playing with work that holds a personal connection. Be thoughtful about pieces being introduced to the home, as they can determine the ambiance of a space.
