Although classic picture walls are attractive, one may sometimes find that they appear a little more personal. Perhaps you have wondered before how you can really put your own stamp on a gallery wall? How do you make it unique?
Of course, you can use personal photos—of your family, pets, and friends—but there are also many other things you can do.
Below are a handful of tips and tricks on how to create a personal picture wall.
Put everything you like in a pile
It may sound a little extreme to gather everythingyou like together. It doesn't have to be taken so literally. Of course, you have to take into account that it is something that can be hung on the wall—but it doesn't necessarily have to be a picture.
For example, it could be figurines, masks, small rugs, or decorative plates. What these things have in common is that they can break up the square frames that automatically come with a classic picture wall. This helps to create dynamism and can also give the wall a kind of 3D effect. Most importantly, of course, is that the things mean something to you - make put feel good, and that can make the picture wall personal.
Collect things as you go along - and then sort them
Remember that you don't have to find everything to hang on the wall right away. It's actually a good idea to collect things as they appear in front of you or in your thoughts. Keep in mind that there is no right answer when it comes to a picture wall. What feels right today may not feel right in six months. It's perfectly okay to change things over time. That way, it will continue to feel like something that suits you.
Once you've collected things over a period of time, you can spread everything out on your floor or on a large table.
Find a common theme for your personal picture wall
Does anything stand out? Remove it.
If one or two items seem completely out of place with the rest of your collection, remove them.
You will often find that there is a common denominator among the things you have collected over time. This happens either subconsciously, or you have been consciously aware of it.
A theme could be a dominant color, a natural element, or perhaps a particular animal that recurs. In any case, you will probably be able to see an element that recurs and sets the agenda.
Out on the floor with it (again)
Once you have sorted through the items you would like to hang on your personal picture wall, you are ready for the next step.
Before you start drilling holes in your wall, it's a good idea to visualize the picture wall. This will Lay out all the pictures and items you want to hang on the floor. Now you can move the different elements around until you achieve the look you want.
One tip is to take pictures from above so you can see it from the angle you would see it if the items were hanging on the wall. So stand on a chair or stepladder, stretch your arms up, and take a picture with either your camera or your smartphone.
The eye-catcher in the golden ratio
Do you have a large picture, an extravagant plate, or something else that really stands out from the rest?
Start with that element and arrange the others around it so that it acts as the golden ratio. This could be a poster, for example, which the eye would naturally land on first. Perhaps because it has strong colors or a captivating motif.
Using the golden ratio as a starting point can also be a good idea if you are having trouble deciding how things should hang in relation to each other.
Consider the room and its furniture
Of course, some rooms are better suited to picture walls than others. In the bedroom, it is usually nice to have a calm atmosphere, so you should be careful with strong colors and slightly crazy motifs. If it is in a room where you spend a lot of time, or perhaps an entrance hall where you quickly move on, you can make your personal picture wall a little wilder.
Look around the room. Is there any furniture you need to take into account? You need to be able to lean your head back on a sofa, and if you want to hang something on the wall behind the TV, make sure it doesn't interfere when the TV is on.
Also, remember that the picture wall should not necessarily be where your gaze naturally falls when you are sitting down. Perhaps it is better to hang things on a wall that you primarily look at when you enter the room, just so that your eyes can also rest.
Annemette Moesgaard has really thought about the space in her picture wall. The vase on the shelf almost becomes part of the picture behind it. We also love the potted plant on the wall.
Plants as part of the picture wall
Signs, paintings, masks, and all sorts of other things can personalize your picture wall...
...but what about plants?
Dried flowers and hanging plants that grow longer and longer can bring your picture wall (or display wall) to life. You can try ivy or a small bunch of your favorite flowers, which you dry and hang up.
Mix styles
Streamlining comes in different levels. If you really want to put your unique stamp on your wall, you can mix styles. Something modern, something rustic, something festive... as long as it makes you happy and fits the overall theme, there are no limits to how much you can experiment!
Personal touches make your picture wall unique
When collecting items for your picture wall, it's a good idea to take a look in your storage. Maybe you have an old drawing or a crocheted napkin from elementary school. Maybe your children have made something that has a special place in your heart – even if the aesthetics aren't so streamlined and neat. In return, it is these completely unique items that really give the picture wall personality.
Let it spread organically – there is no right answer.
We have already mentioned that you should not be afraid to use plants, different formats, and styles on your wall. The advantage of not keeping everything square and strict is that it looks like the gallery wall is spreading organically. This also makes it possible to update the wall as often as you like.
As we mentioned earlier, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to your personal picture wall. Just as you evolve, it is natural for your wall to do so too. You can always change something if you are unhappy with it.
Gallery shelves or pictures on the floor
Do you rent and don't want to – or aren't allowed to – drill holes in the wall for each individual item? Get yourself a gallery shelf where it's easy to move things around. You can still use small plants and figurines. Gallery shelves can also be good in a room where you want to maintain a sense of calm while adding a little more personality.
You can also choose to place pictures of different sizes on the floor—for example, next to a bedside table or a pedestal. There are plenty of opportunities to create a personal picture wall, regardless of how you live.
Stuart Eminson has chosen to mix the use of the floor with his picture wall. The large wristwatch on the wall also helps to make it very special to him and his personality.
Personal picture wall: summary
There are clearly many things you can do to put your personal touch on your picture wall. To make it a little clearer, we have summarized the most important points in five steps:
1. Gather all your favorites.
Everything that can be hung on the wall should be gathered in a pile. This can be anything from masks to plants and small figurines—and, of course, pictures. As long as it has meaning for you.
2. Find an overall theme.
This could be a recurring natural element, a pattern, or a color. Typically, there is something that dominates your collection, and that is what sets the agenda. Sort out any obvious outliers.
3. Visualize your wall on your floor.
Lay out pictures, plates, and everything else on the floor. Arrange the items in relation to each other as you would hang them on the wall. This way, you avoid drilling holes that shouldn't be there.
4. Consider the room and its furniture.
It is, of course, important to consider whether the room needs to be calm or whether there can be a lot going on on the wall. Also, remember to include furniture in the equation. That way, you won't end up bumping your head on a picture behind you when you're sitting in your armchair.
5. There is no right answer.
You can always change and add things if you feel like it. Maybe your nephew draws a cute picture for you that you just have to hang up. Just as you evolve over time, it's perfectly okay for your wall to do the same.
