Top 10 Ways to Create a Wall Display

Hello,
Yes, it is July already and no, I do not know what happened to the last 4 weeks. I think they disappeared somewhere underneath a mountain of school books, stacks of un-washed tupperware lunch containers with unidentifiable contents, and several pairs of mis-matched mittens. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Now, back to the matter at hand. I have come across many a stark, empty wall in my lifetime (there may still be one or two left in my own home - but let's just keep that between us). We seem to have less difficulty filling our horizontal spaces, but our vertical ones? Well, that appears to be a work in progress.

In an effort to discover why so many people find occupying a wall space so challenging, I searched out the following and was very pleasantly surprised. Check out my Top 10 Ways to Create a Wall Display in your home: 

1. Create a symmetrical grid (measure equal spaces between the frames) of similar-themed prints (i.e. botanical prints) in identical frames. This will create a sense of harmony (because the frames and their contents are related to one another) and a sense of balance (because the frames are hung in a symmetrical grid pattern on the wall.

2. Create an asymmetrical grouping on a wall that includes a mix of photos, artwork, a mirror, and even a plate. Including frames with varying finishes adds to the sense of visual interest and creates what many designers love to see; "an unexpected grouping." 

3. Create a backdrop to support the visual weight, colours, textures, and themes from the rest of the room. In this photo, the framed artwork establishes a connection between itself and the other elements in the room. The height and scale of the framed pieces also relate well to the other existing pieces. 

4. Take the opportunity to display a beautiful collection (in this example, historical maps - rich with a sense of history, intrigue, and adventure). Note that, even though some frames are brown and some are black, keeping them all of a similar width creates a sense of cohesiveness. 

5. Discover your whimsical side. An unexpected mix of medium, finish, colour, and aesthetic lends itself to good conversation and creates a strong focal point. Plus, I am a sucker for anything to do with typography (oh, and butterflies - I love butterflies).

6. Carry a theme through a transitional space (in this instance, a charming staircase). Here, "shabby chic" reigns supreme with an eclectic mix of vintage and distressed frames in a variety of shapes and sizes. What makes it work? Simply put, continuity with colour (the cream-coloured frames and ampersand allow the black and white photos to "pop" and to give the gallery wall a sense of direction.

7. Take advantage of the space offered you in a great room to create a gallery wall done "mural" style. A neutral backdrop presents the perfect opportunity to display oversized graphic images in this contemporary space.

8. Hang a wall of mirrors. Half the fun would just be in the collecting alone! A variation of size, finish, and orientation keeps things interesting, yet still cohesive. This design "trick" is a tried and true way to make a room feel larger.

9. These aren't your grandmother's old plates! Until recently, hanging plates on a wall seemed like a older relative's best forgotten secret. Well, that was then, and boy, were we ever mistaken! Plates on a wall can make a bold, graphic, colourful, and contemporary statement in your kitchen or dining room.

10. And last, but definitely not least, floating shelves continue to be a wonderful way to add some linear definition to a space, while also contributing important real estate for books, collections, frames, and additional vignettes.

{Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10}

Have a great week, everyone!

Kerry