6 Common Gallery Wall Mistakes People Always Make, According to Design Experts

My husband and I purchased our home 11 years ago, and we’ve been checking off tasks ever since. The first priority was finishing the backyard fence for our Great Dane (shoutout to Chunk!). My handy husband replaced the bedroom carpet with sleek grey tile, painted the kitchen cabinets a soft creamy white, and installed a central island that’s become the hub of the house. Then, there are those smaller, less practical projects that sit on my mental to-do list, like creating a gallery wall. Our entryway staircase is the perfect spot for a collection of family photos, but I found the idea overwhelming. So, to do some “research” (wink, wink), I reached out to some design professionals to help me craft the perfect gallery wall. Now, I’m sharing all of my newfound knowledge with you.

Using Random Frames

It may be tempting to pick up frames from a bargain store, but both Gomez and Joyce agree that investing in custom framing is well worth it if you want your gallery wall to stand out for years. "Frames bought at stores often contain acidic matboard that can discolor your photos over time," Gomez explains, showing me an example of this issue. "Custom framers use acid-free matboard, which prevents this from happening, preserving your pictures," she adds.

Gomez suggests finding a local custom framing business (you can use this helpful framer finder) and coming to your appointment prepared with your design style and wall measurements. Discuss with your framer the quality of the glass (museum glass, for instance, shields against UV rays and fluorescent lighting and is also non-reflective), as well as specialty cuts, high-quality molding, and unique frames that enhance the details of each photo. You can see the difference in the side-by-side comparison below of a custom-framed photo versus a store-bought one. "It’s important to find a texture within the photo and choose a frame that complements it," Gomez advises. For instance, we used the soft cream ribbon from my daughter’s hair bow to inspire one of the frames.

Going Too Overboard with Symmetry

Angela warns that a major mistake is "making everything look too cookie cutter." Rather than using frames that are all the same or photos from a single photoshoot, Gomez recommends mixing and matching. "The goal is to create a cohesive gallery wall, not a uniform one—keep your matboard colors consistent, but mix up the designs," she advises. For my gallery, we chose a palette of gold, green, and antique white. Another tip: don't shy away from mixing photos from different shoots, and you can even combine color and black-and-white images, she notes.

Framing Only Photos

Gomez suggests one of the best ways to add a personal touch to your gallery wall is by framing physical family heirlooms. "If your memories are stored in a drawer, they can’t tell their story," she says. Examples of things to frame include: matchbooks or menus from memorable places, wedding invitations, wine or champagne corks, a pressed floral wedding bouquet, or even your favorite pieces of art—kids’ drawings are highly encouraged.

Starting to Hang Your Frames on One Side of the Wall

"This is a common design mistake," Dustin explains. Rather than starting to hang your frames from one side of the wall, which can make the arrangement feel unbalanced, the expert suggests beginning with the largest photo as your focal point. Lay out your photos on the floor first to get the spacing just right before hanging them on the wall. "Some people even use painter's tape and paper cutouts to map the design before grabbing the hammer and nails," Dustin adds.

Spacing Your Frames Too Far Apart

"This is one of my pet peeves," Gomez laughs. A good rule of thumb she shares: use the size of the frame and matting to determine how far apart to space your photos. For instance, if your frame and matting are three inches wide, aim to hang your photos about three inches apart. Once you’re happy with the layout on the floor, move to the wall and use painter's tape to mark the spots. We initially played with a perfect design but ended up with a staggered arrangement that felt both uniform and creative. Start by hanging the largest piece first, then build the layout around it.

Completing Your Gallery in One Shot

Some of the most impressive gallery walls, Gomez says, are those that evolve over time. While the first phase of installation is key, it’s wise to choose a wall with room to expand so you can keep framing your favorite moments as the years go by. A gallery wall that grows over time is a sign of a successful design. To keep it cohesive, just keep a folder with details of your frames, matboards, and molding so you can easily match them when adding new pieces later on, Gomez advises.