Step 1: Equip yourself

Gather together the items you’ll need.

Time. Make sure you start the project when you have time. Don’t try to squeeze it in when you have a spare moment. You don’t want to feel rushed or under pressure.

Artwork. Don’t start until you have all your pieces together. Read through the rest of this blog to help you decide on how your gallery is going to look. Do you want two symmetrical rows of framed B&W photos? Or do you want a mix of genres with wall art and frames of varying sizes and shapes?

Pencil. Make sure it’s sharp and erasable for when you mark on your walls.

Craft/art paper. You want the kind you get in rolls for your children to paint on. You can also use newspaper. Or if you have it, the back of wallpaper if you have some leftover from a project.

Scissors/craft knife. This is to cut out the paper. If you’re using a craft knife remember to put something underneath where you cut.

Painters tape. This is so you don’t mark the walls or peel off the paint. Pay the money for the better quality tape, because the cheap tape will peel off the wall paint. If you have a reusable putty adhesive (like Blu Tack) you could also use that.

Hammer. You’ll need this if you’re going to use nails or wall hangers.

Nails or picture hangers. If you are renting, you don’t have to miss out on the gallery of your dreams. Check with the landlord, but most will allow you to hang your art as long as you fill in/repair the wall when you move out. Or consider double-sided adhesive tape or adhesive hook-and-loop tape.

Ruler/measuring tape. To measure out the space between each piece.

Level. Unless you’re going for an eclectic style, you’ll need this.

Step 2: Mix, Mix, Mix

Mix your horizontals and verticals.

Mix your frames or hanging styles. Not everything has to be framed. You might want to include a wall hanging or add something personal, or different like an air plant on a frame.

Mix your pieces. Frames, posters, coat hangers with pegs, macrame, tapestry, photo shelves, wooden spice racks. There is no hard and fast rule for what you are allowed to use to hang in your gallery.

If you are concerned about chaos and prefer unity and symmetry, then stick to a maximum of three frame styles and two colours. You can sneak in a pop of colour too.

Remember it's YOUR perfect gallery.

Step 3: Maintain Balance

While some of you will want your gallery to look symmetrical, with your frames in a straight line, or two. Others may want a different look, so consider the following:

Pair large wall pieces with a few smaller pieces. If you have a combination of styles, colors and finishes try to break them up to create balance.

Place your biggest pieces first - eye-level is best - and build from there. You might be tempted to put your largest piece or feature piece in the center of the gallery. However, consider putting it off-center to encourage your eye to travel around the wall.

If you have a small collection to hang up, try putting the largest piece in an outer corner. Or if you have lots to hang, then put the largest piece in the middle but off-center. Once you have this piece in place you continue from there.

If you want it to look curated stick to a color palette.