I love a good gallery wall. It’s one of my favourite ways to bring personality into a room and to tell a story with objects I truly care about. Over the years curating pieces for Thukthaeshop, I’ve developed a practical approach that keeps the process enjoyable — not daunting — and ensures the final result looks intentional rather than cluttered. Below I share my step-by-step styling tips to create a gallery wall using curated pieces from Thukthaeshop, plus some small tricks I use when I’m styling a client’s home or my own.

Start with a mood and a loose theme

Before drilling a single hole, I take a moment to decide what mood I want the wall to convey. Do I want calm and minimalist, warm and eclectic, or bold and graphic? A clear mood helps narrow choices from Thukthaeshop’s range — whether that’s earthy ceramic plates, botanical prints, hand-dyed textiles or brass-framed mirrors. I rarely stick to a rigid rule; instead I choose a dominant thread (a colour palette, a material like rattan, or a recurring motif) and allow for one or two contrasting accents to keep the composition lively.

Choose a focal anchor

Every successful gallery wall has an anchor piece — something that draws the eye first and sets the scale. This could be a large framed artwork, a round mirror, a woven tapestry or a sculptural wall vase from Thukthaeshop. Place the anchor slightly off-centre if you want a modern, relaxed look, or dead-centre for a more classical layout. Once the anchor is chosen, everything else is arranged around it to support and enhance it.

Mix scales, shapes and textures

Variety is what makes a gallery wall feel curated rather than repetitive. I aim for a pleasing mix of sizes and shapes:

  • Large framed prints or canvases for scale
  • Medium-sized photographs or illustrations to create rhythm
  • Small objects like ceramic dishes, brass wall hooks, or hand-pressed tiles for detail
  • Textural pieces — a woven panel, a macramé, or an embroidered textile — to introduce depth

    • Using items from different categories on Thukthaeshop (Wall Art, Textiles, Home Decor) helps achieve that layered look. Keep an eye on the balance of heavy vs. light visual weight: two small dark pieces together might feel heavier than one medium light piece.

    Create a layout before you hang

    I can’t overstate how much time a good mock-up saves. There are three methods I use:

  • Paper templates: Trace each frame or object onto kraft paper, cut out the shapes and temporarily tape them to the wall. Step back and adjust spacing until it feels right.
  • Floor arrangement: Lay everything on the floor and photograph the layout from above. This helps with spacing and flow before committing to nails.
  • Digital mock-up: Use a simple app or a photo of your wall and overlay images of the selected pieces — handy if you’re working remotely with a client.

    • For spacing, I usually leave 5–10cm between frames for a tight, cohesive look, or 12–20cm for a breezier, gallery-browsing feel. Trust your eye: if the composition reads well from 2–3 metres away, you’re on the right track.

    Think about alignment and visual lines

    There are a few alignment tricks I use regularly:

  • Align by centre: Keep the centres of frames on an invisible horizontal line for a relaxed, modern composition.
  • Align tops or bottoms: This creates a more structured, library-like look.
  • Stacking: Vertical stacks can read as a single column and help fill tall narrow walls.

    • I like mixing alignment strategies: for example, a row of smaller prints aligned by their bottoms under a larger central artwork creates a dynamic interplay of lines.

    Layer with three-dimensional pieces

    Adding 3D elements makes the wall feel lived-in. Consider:

  • Decorative plates or shallow shelves with small ceramics from Thukthaeshop
  • Metal wall hooks with hanging textiles or a string of dried flowers
  • A small spotlight or picture light to highlight a treasured piece

    • When you introduce dimensional objects, be mindful of how far they protrude — leave enough clearance for cleaning and to avoid collisions in busy areas like halls.

    Choose frames and mats with purpose

    Frames and mats are the quiet heroes. I often restrict the frame palette to two finishes (for example, natural oak and matte black) to keep cohesion. White mats can give prints breathing space; for smaller works I sometimes skip the mat to keep energy tight. Thukthaeshop’s curated collection includes simple oak frames and subtler linen-wrapped frames that work across styles.

    Lighting matters more than you think

    Light transforms art. If possible, place the gallery wall where it benefits from natural daylight, but avoid direct harsh sun which can fade artworks. For evenings, I use directional LED picture lights, angled recessed spots, or plug-in wall lamps to create pools of light. Warm bulbs (2700–3000K) are generally flattering and make colours feel inviting.

    Hanging day: tools and practical tips

    On hanging day I come prepared. Essentials in my pouch:

  • A stud finder and a good quality level
  • Painter’s tape (for temporary templates)
  • A hammer, drill and wall anchors (appropriate to your wall type)
  • A measuring tape and pencil
  • Felt pads to protect frames and keep them straight

    • For heavier pieces use wall anchors or screws into studs. For lighter frames a quality picture hook is often sufficient. Hang items slightly lower than you think — eye level is commonly recommended at 150cm for the centre of art in living spaces, but adjust based on the sofa or furniture nearby.

    Finishing touches and ongoing curation

    When the wall is up, step away with a glass of wine and live with it for a few days. I often tweak spacing, swap a print for better contrast, or add a small sculptural object. Gallery walls are meant to evolve: a new print from Thukthaeshop, a piece collected while travelling, or a seasonal textile can keep the composition fresh.

    If you’re unsure where to start, pick one corner of your home and build a mini gallery — it’s less intimidating and equally impactful. And if you want specific pairings or help choosing an anchor piece, I’m happy to offer suggestions from the Thukthaeshop collection — just reach out through the contact page. Happy hanging!