How to Frame and Hang a Gallery Wall

A well-planned gallery wall reads as one statement. Random placement reads as clutter — and the difference is one piece of kraft paper.

Trace each frame onto kraft paper or newsprint. Cut out the shapes and mark where the hanger point falls on each one (measure from the top of the frame to the wire pulled taut, then transfer that measurement to the paper).

Tape the paper templates to the wall in your planned arrangement. Live with them for a day or two — gallery walls always look different at scale than in your head. Move templates around until the spacing and balance feel right (typically 2–3" between frames is the sweet spot).

Once you commit, drive picture hooks through the marked spot on each template (the hook goes through the paper and into the wall). Tear the paper away — your nails are perfectly placed.

For heavy frames, use two-point hanging (two hooks per frame) to prevent the inevitable tilt from a bumped wall. A gallery wall that stays level after a year is the goal — single-point hangs guarantee tilt.