Picture ledge or gallery wall?

last month

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We have 8 medium sized gold-framed oils from DH's parent's house that we want to hang. I love a good gallery wall but frankly, I'm intimidated by putting one together. Many examples look cluttered or messy to me and my eye invariably goes directly to the frame that is slightly askew or off balance. I've considered using picture ledges to make the symmetry and leveling easier but wonder if that would look too much like a store display.

Do you have any advice or observations about either choice?

Love this wall but I had to look through quite a few examples to find one that I really liked.

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Allison0704

last month

last modified: last month

I have done a lot of gallery walls over the years. Most were at our homes, but a couple in DD2's homes. One of hers and two of mine I measured area to be covered, then (sometimes) mark the corners of this area on the floor with painters tape. I also just lay out the tape measure (seen below) I then laid out the art inside the area. Once I knew which pieces I was going to hang, I cut brown paper to each size. For the master bathroom (below, in our last home), I used a pencil to write the measurments on each piece and assigned a number (also written on the back, and on the brown paper cut out). Then I started in a corner and used painters tape to hold paper in place. Once I was ready to start making holes, I went directly through the paper.

If there aren't too many to hang, and in a secondary space (like laundry room), I will just eyeball it as I go.

Then I start hanging and hold my breath.

I wanted to add two tiny pieces top left, but I could not work the ladder around the wall and tub to reach that high.

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Comments (20)

nicole___
last month
I did a gallery wall for my husband....above his trophys. So.....I do like gallery walls, but would rather see floating shelves. It's a more current look....IMO
Tina Marie
last month
I personally am not fond of most picture ledges. I love a good gallery wall, but do not have one myself. You said 8 medium size pictures to hang. Do you plan to add to these? My point is for a good gallery grouping, I think you need a mix of shapes and sizes. Also, I much prefer a gallery grouping where the frames are different, not all the same. Just my two cents worth!
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Does anyone have a pic of a gallery wall done with photos stacked on a plate rail/shelf? I want to do a gallery wall, but I want it to be able to hold a lot of photos which I hope to change out and update since my new hobby is photography. I had considered mounting the frames directly on the wall, but I am picky about them being even and straight and I'm afraid I won't like it, or I'll get frustrated and not do it. Also, with a 9ft wall how much of it can I cover without going too high or too low. Do you think I could get 3 shelves and maybe space them 18or 24 inches apart? Any suggestions?
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Here's the situation: (First-- I can't supply any photos-- I did say in my posting that I can't put my hands on the cord I need to link the camera and the laptop. Hopefully there are some folks here who can visualize and help.) The 11x14 photos are in frames. But they are proving to be a bear to hang. They are acrylic frames with 4 tiny super-strong magnets embedded in the acrylic, in the corners, that are held in place by 4 more super-tiny magnets in the backing board. (Crate & Barrel has larger versions on its website--I had actually purchased 2 of those but then realized they had sawtooth hangers, and I really didn't think those were proper for the weight of the acrylic). My goal was to align them horizontally, with three 5x7s in between them. BUT: The frames have sawtooth hangers on the back. And I've realized that not only are the frames themselves not all the exact same size (by the tiniest of measurements, but still), but also, the positioning of the sawtooth hangers is not consistent. I have tried measuring and remeasuring. I have tried the method in which you lay it out with paper templates, mark on the paper where the hanger is, tape them up and hammer the nail on the mark. I've even tried that "Hang and Level" plastic tool -- which is terrible for aligning multiple items, because the picture hangs too far out the wall when you attach it to the tool. I bought the frames several years ago when Aaron Brothers was in my area, and it never occurred to me to make sure they were the exact same size! Also, I think that I've discovered that the ceiling line and the corner wall line themselves are not completely straight (at least, when you put a bubble level up). What looks OK close up looks "off" from 10 feet away. It's incredibly frustrating, but I still love the frames and want the photos up! That's why I thought the ledge(s) or glass shelves would work better for me. And they'd allow me to put a few other smaller framed photos on them, too. I'm going to take a deep breath and measure again and give it another try. In the meantime, what's your opinion on the ledges or shelves?
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I love gallery walls altho the only one I have at present has only land and seascape oils, most are framed with gold tone frames altho some are unframed - a pic won't help you and it's difficult to get a good pic as it's on my stairway wall. I think what you want to do *can* be done successfully and the key is balance. This gallery wall at Pottery Barn has several types of frames and content but it's well balanced. You have to click thru a few pics in the slideshow at the link posted below to get to the gallery wall pic. Have you laid all your art on the floor and played around with it to see how it might work? That's what I've always done. If you are the type of person who requires complete symmetry this might not work for you but well balanced asymmetrical galleries can be wonderful. Here is a link that might be useful: gallery wall at Pottery Barn
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Here's something similar: Links to a few more: [Austin Peterson[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/austin-patterson-disston-architects-traditional-kitchen-bridgeport-phvw-vp~10640) [source hbrady[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/hhbradys-ideabook-kitchen-eclectic-phvw-vp~24584)
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Jilly
last month
I much prefer a gallery wall for what you have.

I think picture ledges have too much of a casual feel for special oil paintings.
HU-787167202
last month
To me a ledge says 'changing', temporary. We haven't see them but if you love them enough to display then they are worthy of proper frames and hanging. Together they are a fabulous tribute.
Bunny
last month
I LOVE that second image. The first one is meh.
ilikefriday
last month
last modified: last month
I love gallery walls. I have had several over the years. Right now I am favoring gallery walls with only 5 or 6 pieces that don't look too cluttered.
Sueb20
last month
I have both. But the ledges I have are just photos, so I think for paintings I prefer a gallery wall.
pricklypearcactus
last month
I prefer a gallery wall over picture ledges. Something about them feels both heavy (visually) and distracting from the art.
Oakley
last month
Don't be intimidated by making a gallery wall. I did it in my old LR, and now I have a smaller wall. Are your paintings all the same size? If so, google how to make a g. wall with them.

With my old g. wall I put the largest picture centered above the sofa, and took it from there. All the pics I had were different sizes so it was fun when I added more.
Fun2BHere
last month
I like both. For me, my choice would depend on the room, your style and the composition of the art.
Kswl
last month
I like both ledges and gallery walls. The ledges can look great, depending upon their style and color. Small or smallish oils would look better on ledges than in a wall gallery IMO because a gallery looks best with a wide range of sizes. You can also use the ledges in many places where the gallery wall needs more wall space. I would at least try the ledges first.
njmomma
last month
Love gallery walls for paintings!
Ledges for family photos. The ease of changing the photos from time to time or adding more, works with a ledge for me.
deegw
Original Author
last month
last modified: last month
Am I on the right track? I am thinking of putting them above a sideboard in my entry. This is a mix of some of the old plus things painted by friends.

Also, I looked up ways to keep the heavy frames flat against the wall and that's a whole other thing.
deegw
Original Author
last month
Allison, if I saw a picture of your wall online I definitely would have posted it as an example of a gallery wall that I like. It looks great
amykath
last month
Dee, looking good! Definitely gallery wall!
gingerrg
last month
I add my vote to gallery wall. It looks like you have a terrific start.
Allison, your bathroom is beyond fabulous!!
Jilly
last month
Yes, looking good, Dee!

Love love love Allison’s walls! That bathroom was perfection!
Allison0704
last month
@deegw did you hang yours yet?

Thanks for the nice compliments. Might sound silly, but I miss that bathroom gallery wall.
Arapaho-Rd
last month
Not sure about the ledge but the gallery walls are wonderful !!

Picture ledge or gallery wall?

Allison0704

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