Instagram iconInstagram icon
Facebook iconFacebook icon
pinterest iconpinterest icon
YouTube iconYouTube icon
Tiktok iconTiktok icon
LTK iconLTK icon

Gallery Wall In the Studio(!) + My Simple Method

studio-gallery-wall-01

Every day, the home studio is evolving. It’s been so fun finally putting time and energy into a space that I spend a large part of my week in (I’ve been sharing updates over on Instagram), and not surprisingly, I feel much more productive as a result! Scott recently shifted his role at the office, which has given him more flexibility to work from home. love this (yay for a coworker!), but more importantly, the dogs love it, too.

Recently, we nixed the mini gallery wall in the far corner of the room for salvaged wood open shelving, but it wasn’t gone for good. I had been craving a little more space for some of our larger framed artwork and photos, and we both agreed that around the television and above the fauxdenza would be just the place! That wall had been bare for so long (since moving day, more than 3 years ago!), and it felt nice to highlight our tall ceilings once again.

There’s a thousand ways to skin a cat (ew) hang a gallery wall, but this is the method I’ve used time and time again, and it always works without fail.

studio-gallery-wall-02

1) After measuring the height and width of the space, I clear the floor of all obstacles and mark my boundaries with painter’s tape. Above, the paper cutout represents the already mounted television. 2) From there, I gather all the artwork I think I’d like to use, knowing that not everything will make the cut. Most will, some won’t, and that’s okay. 3) I play with the arrangement while being mindful of my tape lines, and once I’ve got everything arranged in a way I like, I’ll snap a photo with my phone.

studio-gallery-wall-03

I choose a starting point, and in this case, it was the largest print to the left of the television. Next, you’ll see that I move on to the print I’ve purposely layered behind the TV, and I continue to hang while checking in with my phone. No measurements are made at this point; rather, I’ll make a mental note that photo X is above photo Y and ever-so-slightly to the left. Honestly, the only time I need to make a measurement is to mask off the allotted wall space. It couldn’t be more simple! (Also, shout out to my man, Rod, who makes an appearance below.)

gallery-wall-small

Almost all of the artwork we had already, with the exception of the gold framed photo – a self-timer snap of us in the Mojave Desert during our Route 66 trip (in this pretty frame)! Long time readers might remember the ship print hanging above the door, a score from the Paris flea market. I worked with Framebridge to have it displayed in their Slim Irvine option after the original backing became too fragile. The bison was picked up during a visit to Nashville almost 7 years ago (from this artist – she’s the sweetest), and everything else was gifted from friends or found at the flea and/or estate sales. Each and every item on this wall makes us so happy and smiley.

studio-gallery-wall-19studio-gallery-wall-20

Above, you can see how my shipping room connects off of the second floor landing, and below, our bedroom is right off of the studio (the master bathroom is just out of frame to the right). The other door on the left leads to an additional bedroom, one we haven’t touched – soon though. Soon.

studio-gallery-wall-21studio-gallery-wall-22

A proper post on the studio is due, although I’m still fussing with small changes here and there. It really has been so fun to fall in love with this space all over again! A source list for this room (and the whole house) can be found right here, but here’s a quick round-up, too:

Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

  • Daria11.3.16 - 9:02 AM

    Loving this! So clean and simple and totally inspiring what I’d like to do for my own tv wall in the living room.ReplyCancel

  • Julia [Chris Loves Julia]11.3.16 - 9:12 AM

    It’s perfect. And I love seeing peeks into all the other rooms, too. Everything flows so beautifully.ReplyCancel

  • Allison11.3.16 - 9:15 AM

    i love this!! great job! the colors in the art work so well with each other and the room! A+!ReplyCancel

  • Susan @ Jubilee Furniture11.3.16 - 10:56 AM

    Kim – You know I LOVE EVERYTHING you and Scott do – and this is no exception – but help me understand your thought about hanging the one piece of artwork slightly BEHIND the TV. I’m so totally not any kind of expert but it looks a tiny bit off to me. That said, your place is simply stunning.ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.3.16 - 11:00 AM

      Thanks, Susan! The layering was inspired by this: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/158400111873484460/

      I think it’s just a little more casual. :)ReplyCancel

      • Susan @ Jubilee Furniture11.3.16 - 1:18 PM

        Thanks, Kim! I get the more causal look with the piece of art slightly behind the TV and the link was helpful. Hope you have a great day!ReplyCancel

    • aussiebushgirl11.4.16 - 1:15 AM

      Layering like this helps to focus the eyes away from the television and onto the artwork. Too often the television becomes the focal point in a room, unwittingly, but preventable.ReplyCancel

  • Staci11.3.16 - 10:58 AM

    This looks great! Those articles I see now and again crying for the end of the gallery wall are so misinformed. I think it will never go out of style. I love the layering behind the TV, too! I’m never one to pretend that a TV isn’t there. It’s an important part of life! ;) Is that spare bedroom the last thing to touch in your home? Can it be true?? Also, where is the spare room that you used wallpaper in located? I’m so confused by big old houses :PReplyCancel

    • Kim11.3.16 - 11:02 AM

      It is a little confusing! We keep saying we need to do a video tour so that it’ll make more sense. The guest room you’re thinking of is actually on the first floor, right off the dining room. It’s directly below this bedroom on the second floor!

      Fear not – we also have a bathroom on the first floor we haven’t touched, and a slew of outdoor projects that we’ll tackle slowly over the years.ReplyCancel

      • Kim11.3.16 - 11:03 AM

        Oh! Meant to say that I agree with you about TVs – both of ours are on display, because it is what it is! #reallifeReplyCancel

  • Fara11.3.16 - 12:51 PM

    Hi! I have wanted to do a gallery wall for so long! We don’t have a big headboard, and have a giant, untouched wall. We’ve talked about hanging b&w photos and a few other art objects. I love your print in the last photo, and have searched on etsy for something similar. But, the bolder print is speaking to me! Do you have a source, or was this a bonus flea find?ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.3.16 - 1:46 PM

      Thanks, Fara! The print was a gift from a friend who ran the shop Row Boat Press. Sadly, he closed up shop a few months ago, so I don’t have a direct link for you!ReplyCancel

  • misie11.3.16 - 3:14 PM

    Looks fantastic – loving how much natural light you guys get!!! Also – that playlist was what I watched most in your stop motion <3ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.3.16 - 4:04 PM

      The second floor of our home gets light on ALL sides. A rarity in the city!

      PS… Scott has been on a ‘young turks’ rod kick for mooooonths and it started seeping its way into my playlists now! HahaReplyCancel

  • Jenny11.3.16 - 5:19 PM

    Love this!! Maybe this is the dumbest question, but what do you actually use to hang your prints? Nails or screws? I always get intimidated by that part!ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.3.16 - 8:43 PM

      Oh I meant to say in the post! Most of these aren’t heavy, and I actually use drywall screws! For larger items with glass, I’d recommend an anchor.ReplyCancel

    • Ryan11.7.16 - 7:04 PM

      I live in an old house with lath and plaster walls and masonry exterior walls. After a traumatizing experience with crumbling plaster while using a screw on a plaster wall (in a apartment many years ago) I’ve discovered and exclusively use ook hooks (or similar non branded) to hang everything from pictures to mirrors, small shelves and even a 4-hook coat rack.

      They go in easily with a hammer and leave the smallest hole when you remove them. Best thing ever.ReplyCancel

      • Kim11.8.16 - 12:50 PM

        Awesome, thank you for that tip! We’ve never dealt with plaster walls, so thank you for chiming in.ReplyCancel

  • Dana Andersen11.3.16 - 8:04 PM

    This looks so lovely! Why have i never thought about doing it around a TV before? SO much inspiration from this!ReplyCancel

  • Cheryl11.3.16 - 8:07 PM

    I love gallery walls and can’t wait til we get moved & I can recreate the one I’ve packed away. I enjoy seeing how different people put a gallery wall together and studied many before I finalized mine – I used various black frames for color photos and rosewood frames for b&w and matted all with black-core white mats (all family photos). While mine is more formal I do like casual ones like yours.

    But I’m afraid I’m missing something – what is the appeal of white mat + white frame on a white wall? It doesn’t really seem to frame the artwork – the mat, frame and wall all seem to merge – perhaps there is more contrast in real life?

    I really enjoy following your adventures – everything looks great!ReplyCancel

    • Kim11.3.16 - 8:48 PM

      Thanks, Cheryl! The choices you made sound so beautiful. I really think it’s all personal preference, of course, but I went through a phase in college (when I first learned how to cut mats on my own) where all my mats were colorful, and I always paired them with black frames. I totally burned out on that, and now, I just love how art looks almost as if it’s floating with all white mats and white frames – plus a brass frame or two for good measure. :)ReplyCancel

  • aussiebushgirl11.4.16 - 1:37 AM

    Hi Kim. Thanks for sharing the layering process with those of us who are tempted to do it, but overwhelmed with the whole process! Much appreciated.

    I would love for you to consider doing a post on prepping artwork to hang. This is where a lot of us come unstuck. I find myself at a crossroads when it comes to making decisions on choosing frames for the artwork I’ve collected, the materials I’ll need to get them into the frames and up on the walls, plus information on technical issues such as how to measure and position attachments on the back of the frames. The materials I’m talking about include glass cleaners, tape, and anything else that will make my framed artwork looking professional. Do you have any tips you can share?

    I’ve been lurking for a very long time, and I’m loving every inch of your inspirational journey! xx heatherReplyCancel

    • Kim11.4.16 - 2:36 PM

      Thanks for the kind words! And I’ll definitely take your post idea into consideration. A lot of what we’ve learned has been trial and error over the years, but we do have go-to places to buy frames and mats. I’m adding it to our list of future posts! :)ReplyCancel

Let's be Pen Pals

Our Pen Pals have direct access to first looks, a peek behind-the-scenes, and exclusive interviews showcasing members of the #YBHDIY community. We can’t wait to connect with you!

Kim and Scott

We’re Kim + Scott, Chicago based content creators behind the Home + Lifestyle brand Yellow Brick Home.

Join us as we renovate and nurture vintage homes across Chicago + SW Michigan!

Instagram iconInstagram icon
Facebook iconFacebook icon
pinterest iconpinterest icon
YouTube iconYouTube icon
Tiktok iconTiktok icon
LTK iconLTK icon

LEt's be Pen Pals

Subscribe for first looks, behind-the-scenes, and exclusive community content

/* footer flodesk form */

This site uses affiliate links. We will always disclose sponsored posts in the text and by using the ‘sponsored' tag.

© 2024 Yellow Brick Home. | All Rights Reserved. | PRIVACY POLICY