It has become fashionable to juxtapose frames on a wall to create a focal point in a room. However, successfully realizing this design trick is not as easy as it seems. Here are some time-saving tips.
1- Choose a Single Wall
Have you heard the saying, “There’s no such thing as too much?” Well, not in this case! Only one wall in a room should catch the eye: it then becomes a design accent. That is why you shouldn’t overdo it. Nevertheless, many rooms in your home can be enhanced with this trend.
2- Decorate the Largest Wall
But then, which lucky wall in the room to choose? Usually, it is recommended to opt for the one with the biggest square footage. In fact, the smaller the surface, the more likely it will look burdened by the frames. Everything has to breathe!
3- Positioning the Frames over another Component
It may be a good idea to place the frames over an imposing object to balance the design: a sofa, storage furniture or a banquette, for example. The frames can also beautify a wall where there already sits a bookshelf: by filling the space on either side of this large piece of furniture, you can re-establish the proportions.
4- Build an Imaginary Grouping
A frequent beginner error is to hang a first frame and then to add the others without having decided on their position beforehand. You risk failing with this method, at least on the first try. You will then have to patch the holes and start again. The solution is to begin by deciding on the ideal surface area to be covered by imagining a rectangle or a square on the wall. You should then reproduce its dimensions on the floor with a large piece of cardboard or ropes. All you have to do next is to move your frames on it until you obtain an optimal composition. It’s now time to hang everything up!
5- Space Everything Evenly
No matter how you arrange your frames, makes sure they are all evenly spaced. Sometimes a little cheating is necessary to trick the eye into thinking everything is balanced, but this is usually the winning method. It also prevents it all looking improvised!
6- Neutral Decor? Give it a Twist!
In a simply and conservatively designed room, you can be daring by using an eclectic selection of frames. A decor is neutral when there are few or no colours, either the paint, the accessories or the furniture. For example, where grey, greyish beige, taupe or white is the main colour. In such rooms, you can add frames of differing colours, sizes and textures (but no more than three of each category).
7- Busy Decor? Reign Yourself In!
It can be difficult to limit our choice of materials when we like vibrant rooms, but for a gallery wall to be pleasant to the eye, you have to strike the right balance. To achieve this, if the room on which the frames will be hung is highly coloured and full of various and distracting objects and accessories, choose minimalist frames: all black, all white or all metallic, for example.
8- Harmonize with Sepia Tones
Is your objective to display family photos from different periods? As a whole, these pictures may clash visually. To harmonize the grouping, print them all out in sepia or in black and white.
9- Give it a 3D Effect
It is also trendy to add three-dimensional elements to the composition: paper taxidermy, wooden dream catchers or gold plates, for example. Some people also add framed sentimental items: baby’s first shoes, concert tickets or any other souvenir can be included!
10- Trust Yourself
Our last piece of advice is to trust yourself. Get inspired with applications like Pinterest, buy frames, images and photos that really speak to you at the store – keep the receipts for returns. If you are dissatisfied with the effect, replace them until you are happy.
We hope our advice has proven useful. Show us your creations!