HOW TO CURATE A GALLERY WALL

HOW TO CURATE A GALLERY WALL


HOW TO CURATE A GALLERY WALL WITH PERSONALITY

 

Gallery walls are everywhere, and for good reason. They’re an expressive, creative way to bring personality into your space. But the best gallery walls don’t feel overly curated, trendy, or matchy-matchy. They feel like they’ve grown over time.

At Hue, we believe a truly great gallery wall begins with curiosity. Curiosity about what you love, what colours speak to you, and how your home wants to feel. It’s not about buying a pre-made set of prints or following rigid rules. It’s about trusting your instincts, mixing thoughtfully, and allowing the wall to evolve.

Here’s how to build a gallery wall that feels collected, characterful, and uniquely yours.

 

Paintings styled in a gallery wall layout in living room

@Elizabethhaydesign

Elizabeth Hay

 

1. Start With a Hero Piece (or Two)

Every gallery wall benefits from a focal point, what we like to call a "hero piece." This is the artwork that sets the mood and draws the eye. It doesn’t have to be oversized or expensive. It just needs to have presence.

Maybe it’s a richly coloured seascape, a striking portrait, or a soft abstract. It could even be something sentimental, a painting inherited from family or a flea market find that spoke to you instantly.

Choose one or two pieces you love and want to build around. Let them anchor the arrangement. From there, you can begin to layer in the rest.

Framed vintage oil painting of a bouquet of flowers in a vase in a gilt frame, available at Hue
"GLADIOLI"
French School (Early 20th Century)
Click on image to view in shop

2. Mix Mediums and Eras

The secret of a great gallery wall lies in the mix. Don’t just hang similar framed paintings, invite in variety. Oils, watercolours, sketches, lino prints, textiles, and photography all bring different textures and tones.

Play with time periods, too. A 1950s still life can look amazing beside a contemporary abstract or a rustic landscape. Vintage pieces tend to add warmth and depth, while modern works can bring freshness and energy.

Don’t be afraid to break the “art-only” rule. Some of the most captivating walls include objects:

  • A tiny ceramic plate

  • A pressed flower under glass

  • A child’s drawing or a handwritten letter

These items tell your story, and that’s what a gallery wall should do.


3. Choose a Theme (But Keep It Loose)

A theme isn’t required, but it can help your wall feel more cohesive. This doesn’t mean everything has to match, just that the pieces speak a similar visual language.

A theme could be colour-based: perhaps you gravitate toward dusty pinks, muted greens, or indigo blues. Or it could be subject-based: maybe you love coastal scenes, botanical illustrations, or abstract expressionism. Nicola Harding has curated a beautiful nautical theme in the photo below. 

Let your theme guide you, not box you in.

 

Oil paintings hung in a gallery layout

@nicolaharding

Nicola Harding & Co 


4. Vary the Sizes and Orientations

If all your artwork is the same size and shape, the wall can quickly fall flat. Contrast is what keeps the eye moving and makes the arrangement sing. Think of it like composing music, some elements should be loud, others soft.

Mix horizontal and vertical works. Pair large canvases with tiny, detailed pieces. Consider tucking in a miniature painting between two larger frames, or letting a small but bold piece stand proudly on its own.

This variation in scale and rhythm makes your wall feel dynamic and layered, not overly planned.

 

Framed painting of a semi abstract landscape in a vintage gilt frame, available from hue
"FIELDS OF COLOUR"
HERBERT VALÅS (Mid 20th Century) (Swedish)
Click on image to view in shop

5. Don’t Overthink the Frames

Uniform frames can feel staged. Instead, let your artwork guide your framing choices.

Pair a vintage gilt frame with a modern oak one. The more variation, the more charm. You want the wall to feel like it evolved over time.

If your pieces are glazed, opt for anti-reflective glass where possible. It allows the art to shine without distraction. And remember, slight imperfections and inconsistencies only add to the magic. 

 

Gallery wall hung over a sofa in a living room

@bunnywilliamshome

Bunny Williams Home

 

The Beauty Is in the Evolution

The most compelling gallery walls are those that feel lived-in and loved. They reflect the people who live with them.

Start with what you have. Add slowly. Swap pieces in and out. Don’t worry about getting it “right” from day one, gallery walls are meant to evolve. You might find a beautiful vintage frame at a flea market or finally frame that oil painting you bought on holiday five years ago.

Let it grow with you. There’s no precise formula, and that’s exactly why it works.



Need Help Getting Started?

Whether you’re just beginning your gallery wall journey or looking for the perfect piece to complete a long-standing collection, we’ve curated a selection of original works at Hue that are especially suited for gallery walls.

From expressive abstracts to moody seascapes and playful still life's, our collection is full of pieces that tell stories, spark curiosity, and sit beautifully among others.

One Painting at a Time

At Hue, we believe art should feel personal. Whether it’s your first piece or your fiftieth, we're here to help you build something original, one painting at a time.

Because the best gallery walls aren’t about perfection. They’re about personality, memory, and that satisfying feeling of just right....


Gallery wall art hung in mustard colour living room

@brockschmidtandcoleman

Brockschmidt and Coleman

 


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