What if I told you that you can make a gallery wall on a budget in only a few steps? Well, I am here to tell you that you can. I did it myself!
I’ve never done a gallery wall like this, but I knew I wanted a statement for my entry wall without spending too much money. And boy, what a statement this gallery wall made.
I really loved how this turned out, and it quickly became my favorite place in the house once it was completed. I’m ready to give you all the tips, so let’s get started!
Steps for Making a Gallery Wall on a Budget
Decide the Style You Want for Your Gallery
When I did my gallery wall, I knew I wanted something that looked classy and timeless. I chose to do a black wall with gold frames and black-and-white art. My best advice is to think about what feels right to YOU. What look are you going for? Something fun? Something creative? Something playful? Then look for inspiration on Pinterest or magazines.
Here are some things you might want to consider:
Frames: What size? What color? Variety or Uniform? I used these 12×12 gold frames from Amazon that use 8×8 images. They were less than $5.00 per frame and I had the choice to use the mat for an 8×8 photo or not use the mat and do a 12×12 photo.
LaVie Home 12×12 Gallery Wall Frame Set Gold, 9 Packs 12×12 frame with Mat for 8×8 Photos
Images: Professional? Candid? Black and White? Color? I chose to use black and white 8×8 photos for this project, and I used photos from the same photo shoot. We had our family pictures taken on our first family vacation, and I wanted to showcase these images. I know that I can switch them out at any time. I got them printed from mpix and they were shipped freaky fast.
Layout: How many images and in what pattern? Originally I wanted 12 photos, but the frames that I wanted came in a pack of nine, so I decided that nine would be perfect. You need to consider the size of the wall as well. A larger wall should showcase either larger images or more images, especially if you want it to make a statement.
Shop for Gallery Wall Frames
There are so many places you can look for frames, but I am going to list a few places that I seem to find the best deals on frames.
Thrift Stores – This is in my opinion the BEST place to find frames. However, if you are going for a more uniform look for your gallery wall, it may be harder to find a set of identical frames. I am currently working on another gallery wall, and I found a whole slew of frames for only $2.00 each!
Amazon – The cheapest ones I could find are linked above, but here are some other options as well.
Michaels – Michael’s often runs great deals on their frames. If they are full price, you can always use a 40% coupon.
Dollar Tree – Yes, Dollar Tree! They actually carry some really great options, especially in smaller sizes.
Target – I think it is harder to find good deals on frames from Target, but I did list it because I found a really large frame for my office for a great deal!
Printing Images for Your Gallery Wall on a Budget
I’m a big fan of using family portraits for gallery walls, but I also think that artwork can be really beautiful when placed appropriately.
Here are some places I recommend for printing images.
- mpix.com – This was the only website I could find that printed 8×8 images. They also had extremely fast shipping!
- Walmart Photo – I have never had a problem with Walmart Photo Center photos. In fact, I printed a huge 20×30 visualization board from there and it turned out beautifully!
- Walgreens – Very similar to Walmart, and they have same-day pick-up.
Finding Artwork for your Gallery Wall
If you would like to display artwork instead of family photographs, here are some tips for you.
- Look on Etsy – Etsy has artwork for nearly EVERY niche you can imagine, and digital downloads have become quite popular, so you can print them in various sizes!
- Thrift – Again, you can’t beat a good thrift find!
- Use gift bags – I have seen this a lot recently. You take a gift bag with an image and cut it down to size, and then display it in a frame! Cheap art.
- Create your own – I think this is a great idea, especially if you have children that create artwork. NOt to mention, it is FREE!
Lighting for Your Gallery Wall
Tips for Hanging Your Gallery Wall
This is probably the most challenging part of all – hanging the gallery wall. I highly suggest using these tips to help you get the job done correctly.
- Lay out your gallery wall on the floor first – I already knew the pattern that I was going for with this project, but if you are doing more of a collage, then I suggest you lay them out on the floor.
- I have heard that the magic distance between images is three inches. I used this method when I did my gallery wall, and I’m pleased with how it turned out. My suggestion is to be consistent.
- Use a level – I have found that the level is my best friend. USE A LEVEL. You won’t regret it.
And last but not least…
Showcase Your style, your personality, and the things you LOVE
in your gallery wall! Don’t forget to HAVE FUN!
You may also like this post:
Designing a Picture Ledge on a Budget: Using Thrifted Frames
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I love the idea of doing a gallery wall on a budget. I love all the pictures, they all look so nice. You can’t even tell you bought them on a budget.
I like your style of wall decorations. Thank you for sharing.