Looking for ideas for a gallery wall behind your couch? I’ve got answers, inspiration and so much more! Let’s jump in.
Tips For A Gorgeous Gallery Wall Behind The Couch
There’s something about a gallery wall that makes your home much more personal and inviting.
It fills the blank walls with personality and creativity.
The best part about gallery walls?
They don’t have to be limited to just pictures or art.
You can use so many different types of items, things like clocks, mirrors, plates, baskets, collections, and so much more.
Your walls are a reflection of your personality. So let them speak with your favorite things.
You can make your own gallery wall as simple or as complicated as you want — there’s no right or wrong way to go about it.
Here are some specific ideas for your gallery walls that we’ll dive more deeply into (with lots of pictures!):
- Centered and Symmetrical
- Mixed
- Extra Large
- Over a Corner Wall
- Use Empty Frames
- Mirrors
- Balanced Gallery Wall
- Plate Wall
- Hat Wall
- Picture Shelves
- Basket Wall
- Use Letters and Numbers
- Tetris Art Display
Centered and Symmetrical Gallery Wall
I love the look of symmetry.
If this is what you’re going for, limit yourself to three or five photos, and keep the frames similar in style.
This will give you a more cohesive look.
Mixed Gallery Wall
If you have a small space or want to add a little personality to a room, a mixed gallery wall is a great solution. They can be so much fun!
It’s like creating a mini collage with picture frames as well as other items to create a cohesive display.
While picture frames are the first thing that comes to mind when creating a gallery wall, there are other elements that can be used as well.
Maps, bulletin boards, mirrors, and even clocks can be used in your display.
Think outside the box when it comes to your mix of items!
Here are some ideas to get you thinking:
Extra-Large Gallery Walls
Another option is to use a lot of items to create a very large gallery wall.
Using an eclectic mix of frame styles, shapes and sizes make your gallery wall feel interesting and artsy.
The whole point here is to have fun, so don’t be afraid to play around with different types of frames.
An extra-large gallery wall is a great place to feature family photos, favorite artwork, and more.
Here are some examples in many different design styles:
Create a Gallery Wall Across a Corner Wall
One of our very favorite styling methods is to create a gallery wall that spans over a corner wall.
This type of wall treatment can help make your home feel very personal and special because it transforms a corner of the room in such a unique way.
It adds so much extra interest and is a great way to fill an awkward space.
Have you ever seen one of these? This could work really well if you have a sectional couch.
The gallery wall would follow the shape of the couch!
Here are a couple of examples:
Use Empty Frames
When you’re trying to create a gallery wall, one of the most inexpensive ways to do so is by using empty picture frames.
Do you have any empty picture frames laying around (like me!)?
You can make a unique gallery wall behind your couch that will definitely stand out when you do this.
You can create a gallery wall using all different kinds of frames. Don’t forget to mix and match sizes.
For a more cohesive look, you can paint all of the frames one color before hanging them.
Use Mirrors
Mirrors are the perfect solution for decorating a large wall.
You can hang multiple mirrors next to each other, and they’ll instantly transform your room into something more elegant and sophisticated.
You can also paint the frames in matching or contrasting colors for a more interesting look.
Plus, mirrors give the added bonus of more light.
This is a great trick in small spaces like hallways. It’s a lot more interesting to use smaller mirrors and group them together.
Create a Balanced Gallery Wall
Create a balance with the pieces and objects in your gallery wall.
If you have a large, heavy piece of art, balance it with a few smaller, more delicate pieces.
Here are some examples:
Plate Wall
I am a huge fan of plate walls – for some reason, I think they’re so fun and interesting.
This is a more traditional-style plate wall that looks very put together.
It’s a great example of using plates to create a gallery wall.
Hat Wall
If you’re looking for a way to decorate a wall with some personality, look no further.
Using hats is an unexpected twist on the traditional gallery wall, and it’s a great way to add a splash of interest to your room!
Everyone wears them, and everyone has their favorite, so you can show off your own style and create a unique gallery wall.
It is sure to be a conversation starter!
Use Picture Shelves
If you have a limited amount of wall space but want to make an impact with your art and photos, then use picture shelves to create a gallery wall.
The shelves can be hung in many different configurations and hold multiple-sized frames.
Plus, you can easily change out the pieces on display whenever you get bored or want to add something new.
Create a Basket Gallery Wall
Have you ever considered using baskets to create a gallery wall?
The bonus with using baskets is that they add texture to your space!
Use Letters and Numbers
A great way to create a one-of-a-kind gallery wall is to use letters and numbers. They make your wall look creative, interesting, and thoughtful.
What’s more, it’s easy to change them around in different arrangements whenever you feel like it.
Tetris With Art
Our favorite way to display art is to mix and match different sizes of prints on one wall.
This layout works best in an arrangement that goes floor to ceiling, but you can also create a smaller gallery if you don’t have the space.
Don’t worry about going overboard with all the same size frames.
It’s completely OK to mix and match, or even overlap your art!
Isn’t this wall gorgeous?
Let’s talk about HOW to create and hang a gallery wall
We’ve talked about lots of ideas of what we could do on the wall behind our couch.
But how do we actually start the process?
Start with a plan.
- Decide on the feel for your gallery wall. Do you want to have a theme?
One type of medium? A certain color palette?
For example, will you be doing a plate wall?
Or do you want to display family pictures? All the same size? I all gold frames?
Or do you want to display art, in all different sizes?
- Measure the area you want to fill so you know how much space you’re working with.
- Visualize your idea.
Do this in whatever way works best for you.
Do you already have all your items? Lay them out on the ground and try different arrangements.
Or sketch it out by hand. Create a mood board!
A general rule of thumb is to start with the largest piece and fill in around it.
Play around with different shapes until you find one that works.
If you are stuck at this part, I’ve created a cheat sheet with different ways you can arrange your gallery wall.
I’ll go into more detail in the next section.
- Prepare to hang, part 1.
I think the easiest way to do this is to trace each frame or item onto a separate piece of paper.
Then, cut out each piece of paper and tape them up on the wall in the same arrangement as they were on the floor or in your sketch.
- Prepare to hang, part 2.
Now that your arrangement is up on the wall, could go back to your frames or items.
Grab some painter’s tape and use it to mark where the nail holes will be in relation to the actual item.
Transfer the tape to the paper you’ve hung on the wall.
Now you will know exactly where to hammer in the nails.
- Hang your gallery wall.
This is the fun part!
Get a hammer and nails and get to work hanging each piece.
Gallery Wall Arrangement Cheat Sheet
It can be very overwhelming to try and create an arrangement for your gallery wall.
That’s the main reason why I shared so many pictures in the first section!
Visual learning is real 🙂
But, to make it even more simple, I wanted to break things down even more.
There are really two options for a gallery wall: symmetrical or asymmetrical.
A Symmetrical Gallery Wall
A symmetrical gallery wall would be centered and even.
It’s great for pairs or a grid.
Asymmetrical Gallery Wall
This is great for mixing and matching, using a picture shelf, and layering the frames.
Hanging pictures above and below an invisible line, or doing a Tetris-like layout.
Make sure they’re balanced
Both are fun and great, but most importantly, both are VISUALLY balanced.
This comes into play most in an asymmetrical gallery wall.
You need to make sure that one side or one part doesn’t look too heavy or too light.
If something looks “off”, keep playing around with your arrangement.
Download the Cheat Sheet
Using my free gallery wall arrangement cheat sheet should help solve that problem with being visually balanced!
And getting ideas!
You can get it in the Happy Home Vault for free.
Don’t forget to use the password to get into the Happy Home Vault! (If you’ve forgotten it, I include it in my weekly emails.)
Not on the email list? No problem.
You can sign up right here!Do you center a picture over the couch or the wall?
The answer depends on whether or not you have furniture under your art.
If there is furniture there, like your couch, then the art should be centered on that piece of furniture.
If there isn’t any furniture below it, then center it on the wall.
How Wide should your gallery wall be?
If your gallery wall is above your couch, it should be no wider than 2/3 the length of your couch.
You don’t want the gallery wall to overwhelm the couch.
Following this rule will help the space feel balanced.
How high do you hang art over the couch?
This is a very common (and good) question!
Here is the general rule of thumb: the bottom of the frame (or the gallery wall) should be about 8-10 inches above the couch.
Following this rule will help the art to be connected to the space.
It won’t feel like the art is just floating off by itself.
Other ideas for the wall behind your couch
Doing a gallery wall isn’t the only option for filling the space above your sofa.
If you have a large wall that you’re trying to decorate, considered these other options as well!
Bookshelves
Use a wall of bookshelves behind the couch.
You will immediately have an interesting architectural feature plus a place to store your books.
There are so many cost-effective ways to do this. Use Ikea bookcases and make them look like they are built-ins!
That can really elevate your space to feel more custom.
Use Wood Accents
Shiplap anyone?
While horizontal shiplap is on its way out, vertical shiplap is here to stay!
You could do a board and batten wall, wainscoting boxes, or even put up beadboard.
There are countless ideas online. And it’s an affordable way to really change up a space to add more interest, depth, and texture.
Moody Paint
I am so in love with moody paint. I painted a few walls in my home black, and I still love it.
Our little bathroom is a moody green and I can’t get enough of it.
Never underestimate the power of paint.
Consider combining some type of woodwork with moody paint.
The results are stunning!
One large piece of art with accent light
Instead of doing a gallery wall, consider a very large piece of art.
This can really elevate your space, especially if you add a gallery light above it.
One large piece of art can be more powerful than a grouping.
Wallpaper
One way to change the look and feel of a room is by using wallpaper behind a couch to create an accent wall.
You can choose from countless colors, patterns, and textures to achieve the look you want.
It’s a simple idea that creates an instant focal point.
Here are some final thoughts about couches and decorating.
Do couches have to be against the wall?
When it comes to arranging furniture, the couches do not have to be against walls.
In fact, you can use your sofa as a divider of sorts by placing it in the center of the room and facing a pair of chairs toward it.
However, there are certain rooms where placing sofas up against the wall is not only acceptable but also preferable.
This is particularly true in smaller spaces.
In small spaces, you may find that a sofa placed up against a wall helps to create a more open feel and offers more flexibility when it comes to arranging your space.
But even if you don’t have a small space, don’t be afraid to experiment with sofa placement — sometimes a piece of furniture just looks better away from the wall.
However, if your couch is up against the wall, make sure to leave an inch or two of space between the wall and the couch.
This is more visually pleasing!
What can I put behind my couch in the middle of the room?
If you are using your couch to help separate rooms or spaces, try one of these ideas to help it feel more intentional and grounded.
- Add a decorative bench.
- Add a console table. Make sure it’s at least a few inches shorter than the back of your couch.
- Use 2-3 poufs. These are decorative and functional. They can be pulled into the room if you need more seating.
Conclusion
Gallery walls are here to stay, and they look great in any space you put them.
They’ve been a favorite of interior designers for years, and they continue to grow in popularity as more people put them in their homes.
Like all good things, gallery walls take time.
Don’t rush the process of finding pieces that you love and arranging them in a way that works for your space.
You’ll know when it’s right, and it will be worth the wait.
Remember, you don’t have to be an artist to create a gallery wall that makes a statement.
Just get creative with the pieces you choose and how you arrange them.
In case you forgot, you can grab my free Gallery Wall Arrangement Cheat-Sheet in our Happy Home Vault.
And if you’re not on the list, no problem.
You can sign up right here!Love your space, love yourself and be happy enjoying the beauty that is around you.
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Decorating your room is not that easy as you think. You need to have a creative mind to start with it.