One of the easiest ways to infuse a room or hallway with personality is implementing a humble but mighty gallery wall. Between the frames themselves and the works inside them, hanging art and photographs is a simple and elegant way to create visual intrigue.
Gabrielle Union proves this point with her hallway's gallery wall, as seen on her Instagram page. The actor has lined her white walls with bold, black-framed photographs, drawing our attention to the wall without overwhelming it.
Gallery walls are highly customizable, too, with mixing and maxing not only allowed but encouraged.
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This carved wood frame would look best with a mini drawing or print placed at its center. It's an ornate, eclectic design that would look beautiful paired beside other picture frame styles.
This elegant brass picture frame is so sophisticated and will delicately catch the light, allowing your picture to shine without dominating.
This vintage-style flower still life is a classic choice that will hang proudly amongst other styles or with a collection of similar antique-inspired pieces.
With a thin metal frame, this piece is perfect for creating a sleek, modern gallery wall. Available in multiple sizes, it fits a variety of spaces.
The Coquille Mirror adds a playful touch with its curved edges, making a bold statement on any gallery wall.
Elevate your gallery wall with this striped frame, which adds a refined contrast and visual interest to simpler, more minimal frames, creating a sophisticated display.
When it comes to organizing a gallery wall, experts say that strategic arrangement is key.
'The first step to achieving a striking gallery wall is thoughtful organization,' explains designer Nina Lichtenstein. 'To ensure balance and flow, start by selecting a central piece as the anchor. This could be the largest frame or a particularly bold piece of artwork. From there, you can arrange the surrounding items, ensuring varied sizes and shapes to create visual interest. Laying out the design on the floor beforehand or taping cutouts to the wall in the desired arrangement can help perfect the layout.'
She continues, 'When organizing, aim for a mix of frames and styles. For a classic, cohesive look, use frames in the same color family – black, gold, or wood tones can bring a timeless elegance. On the other hand, a mix of eclectic frames in different finishes can offer a playful, bohemian vibe.'
To recreate this mixed-and-matched style, experiment with different frames, like this antique-style frame from Magnolia, and this modern, black frame from Target.
In the end, the beauty of a gallery wall lies in its impermanence. Art can shift, frames can change, and the story can grow – making it perfectly suited to a transient space like a hallway. As Gabrielle shows, when designed with intention, even the spaces we move through the fastest can leave the most lasting impression.
