A well-designed gallery wall can completely transform a room, adding personality, visual interest, and a curated feel to your interior. But one of the most common questions homeowners face is: Which print sizes work best together?
Whether you're decorating a living room, bedroom, hallway, or home office, choosing the right size combinations is often the difference between a gallery wall that feels balanced and one that feels cluttered or disconnected.
In this guide, we'll walk through some of the most popular gallery wall layouts and how to choose the right print sizes for your space.
Start with an Anchor Piece
Most successful gallery walls begin with a larger "anchor" print. This focal piece establishes the visual hierarchy and helps guide the placement of supporting artwork.
Popular anchor sizes include:
- 50 × 70 cm
- 60 × 80 cm
- 61 × 91 cm
- 70 × 100 cm
Larger prints work particularly well above sofas, beds, sideboards, and dining tables, where they help create a strong visual presence.
The Classic Three-Print Combination
One of the easiest and most versatile gallery wall arrangements combines:
- 1 × 50 × 70 cm
- 1 × 30 × 40 cm
- 1 × 21 × 30 cm
This Scandinavian-inspired layout creates a natural hierarchy while remaining easy to style and hang. The larger piece acts as the focal point while the smaller prints add balance and interest.
Ideal for:
- Living rooms
- Bedrooms
- Home offices
The Minimalist Duo
For a clean and contemporary look, consider pairing:
- 2 × 50 × 70 cm
or
- 1 × 50 × 70 cm
- 1 × 30 × 40 cm
This arrangement works particularly well in modern interiors where simplicity and symmetry are key design elements.
Ideal for:
- Above sofas
- Above sideboards
- Dining areas
The Symmetrical Grid
If you prefer a more structured and architectural aesthetic, a grid arrangement offers a polished and gallery-like appearance.
Popular combinations include:
- 2 × 50 × 70 cm
- 4 × 30 × 40 cm
Maintaining equal spacing between each frame creates a clean and cohesive presentation.
Ideal for:
- Minimalist interiors
- Contemporary homes
- Office spaces
The Salon Wall
Inspired by traditional European galleries, salon walls combine multiple sizes to create a collected and curated appearance.
A popular size mix includes:
- 1 × 70 × 100 cm
- 1 × 50 × 70 cm
- 2 × 30 × 40 cm
- 2 × 21 × 30 cm
This approach allows you to combine different subjects, styles, and orientations while creating a rich visual story.
Ideal for:
- Large living rooms
- Staircases
- Feature walls
Vertical Arrangements for Small Spaces
Not every gallery wall needs to be wide. Vertical compositions are perfect for narrow walls and transitional spaces.
Popular combinations:
- 2 × 30 × 40 cm
- 3 × 21 × 30 cm
Arranged vertically, these layouts help draw the eye upward and create a sense of movement.
Ideal for:
- Hallways
- Staircases
- Entryways
Anchor and Filler Layouts
For a designer-inspired look, start with one oversized print and add smaller supporting pieces around it.
Example:
- 1 × 70 × 100 cm
- 2–4 × 21 × 30 cm
This approach creates a sophisticated, curated appearance often seen in interior design magazines and luxury homes.
Ideal for:
- Living rooms
- Reading corners
- Open-plan spaces
How Much Wall Space Should a Gallery Wall Occupy?
As a general rule, your gallery wall should occupy around 60–75% of the available wall width above furniture.
For example:
- Above a 200 cm sofa, aim for a gallery wall width of approximately 120–150 cm.
- Above a sideboard, leave some breathing room around the arrangement rather than filling the entire wall.
This creates a balanced relationship between the artwork and the furniture beneath it.
Spacing Between Frames
Consistent spacing is key to creating a cohesive gallery wall.
Recommended spacing:
- 5–8 cm between smaller frames
- 8–12 cm between larger frames
Keeping gaps consistent helps unify the overall composition.
