Need help with gallery wall layout

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

I am hoping to turn my dining room wall into a family picture gallery wall using CB2's walnut and black frames. I have a mix of large and small photos but I could blow up the smaller ones so that they're all the same size.

CB2 gallery frames have the same size frame for 8x10 and 5x8 photos - the frame is 18.5" x 18.5" square for both photo sizes. Then they have a 15" x 7" size for 4x6 photos. I've attached both the black and walnut frames below:

Idea 1: Use only the square larger frames for 5x8 and 8x10 photos and create a grid of black and walnut square frames, like this:

Idea 2: Use a mix both the squares (8x10 and 5x8) and the rectangles (4x6) like so:

Idea 3: something else entirely?

A few problems with the space: The wall ends on a window seat bench and I'd like to put pillows there like so. There are also outlets above the baseboards so I can't totally center the layout from the ceiling to baseboard/floor. I also thought I should line up the top row of frames with the entry top seen in the right in the photos. I will be putting in a roman shade on the window and line that height up with the entry top as well so I thought I could continue that horizontal line all the wall around.

Here's a better picture to show the bench and how I'd like to put pillows:

Featured Answer

Geneviève

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

This is what I would do

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Comments (11)

Rina
8 years ago

I love the full wall -- just stop it short on the left just in front of the bench. Here is an example that is off-centre. Check out the page below; it might be helpful.

Photo credit: homepolish

https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/gallery-wall-ideas-254479
bonitapplebum thanked Rina
AC LB
8 years ago
When I was making mine, I was told to create the levels and to only leave two inches in between pics. Good luck!
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Saypoint zone 6 CT
8 years ago
The center of your arrangement should be at about eye level, not centered between the ceiling and floor. Yours are all too high. Center the arrangement from left to right on the wall. The frames should be fairly close together whether they are in a symmetrical or random pattern. Photo 1 has too many blank spaces. 2 has too many photos. 3 same as one. 3 and 4 both run too far to the right. 4 could work without the last one on the right.
bonitapplebum thanked Saypoint zone 6 CT
threers
8 years ago
Black frames would look good with your chairs. Use all the same size frames. Hang left -most photo to the right of the bench seat. Hang photos in grid design as shown in Genevieve's example above.
bonitapplebum thanked threers
bonitapplebum
Original Author
8 years ago
threers I think the black frames stand out more too. I have a walnut accented kitchen. Do you think mixing in a walnut frame will make it look messy?
bonitapplebum
Original Author
8 years ago
Geneviève Thank you. That does have a lot of impact. My frames have a lot of white space so they are quite large fo the photos they house and so I wouldn't be able to fit so many frames (or photos) with a clean grid (only 9). Perhaps I should look for smaller black frames.
bonitapplebum
Original Author
8 years ago
everdebz Yes. The bench does have a nook on the other end too, so I could just put pillows on that side and not on this side. Most of the sitting happens on the other end because the dining table sits off center (because its centered to the window which is also off center) and the other end is closer to the table. Usually my main priority is function but on this wall, I definitely want to prioritize what looks better because there are plenty of other places to sit.

If the opinion is that I should only just use 1 - black or walnut - then I will do that. Do you think I should I just use one? It seems like black might have the most impact.
Geneviève
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Don't forget that you can make photos larger or small to fit any frame even poster size would make an impact on your wall. Even frameless if you wish .
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threers
8 years ago
To answer your question, kingqueen 007, keep the frames all the same color and the same size. A grid of nine photos is quite handsome and not over-bearing. What's on the wall across from the photo wall? That might be a good place for some original artwork with color. Remember things don't have to match, they just need to go with each other. Consider a fabric window treatment for your window.
bonitapplebum
Original Author
8 years ago
threers Thank you. I have selected a light grey linen roman shade for the window in the picture. I am also thinking of a neutral rug with grey or black accents under the dining table. On the wall opposite the gallery wall is nothing. It is an open floor plan and kitchen begins in that direction. My photos are all color pictures and I thought I would bring in some color via pillows on my bench seat (which has another neutral upholstered cushion). My main worry is that it will all look drab, but maybe the chairs + black frames will help counter this.