A blank wall is one of the biggest missed opportunities in any home. The right wall art adds personality, colour and a sense of finish to a room – and a well-planned gallery wall can become the feature everyone notices when they walk in. The hard part is knowing where to start: what size art to choose, how high to hang it, how far apart to space frames, and how to make a mix of prints look curated rather than cluttered.
This guide walks you through gallery wall ideas, wall art sizing, hanging heights, layout templates and styling tips for living rooms, bedrooms, hallways, kids' rooms and nurseries – plus how to choose canvas prints, metal wall art and wall decals for your style.
What is a gallery wall?
A gallery wall is a group of artworks hung together as one display. It can be a tidy grid of matching frames, a relaxed mix of shapes and sizes, or a long row above a sofa or sideboard. Gallery walls work on almost any wall – above a sofa or bed, along a hallway, up a staircase, or around a TV.
How to choose the right size wall art
- Above a sofa: the artwork (or the whole gallery wall) should be roughly two-thirds the width of the sofa. For a 210cm sofa, aim for about 140cm of art.
- Above a bed: the same two-thirds rule applies to the width of the bedhead.
- Above a sideboard or console: art should be a little narrower than the furniture – about 60–75% of its width.
- On a large blank wall: one oversized piece or a gallery wall covering a generous area looks intentional. Lots of small pieces scattered across a big wall look lost.
- In narrow spaces like hallways: tall, long-format art or a single row of prints works best.
Popular canvas print sizes include 30 x 40cm, 40 x 60cm and 50 x 70cm for gallery walls, and long formats such as 40 x 80cm or 60 x 120cm for statement pieces.
How high should you hang art?
The most common rule used by galleries and interior designers is to hang art so its centre sits around 145–150cm from the floor – roughly eye level for most people. For a gallery wall, treat the whole group as one piece and put the centre of the group at that height.
Above furniture, leave a gap of around 20–25cm between the top of the sofa, bed or sideboard and the bottom of the art, so the art and furniture feel connected.
How far apart should frames be?
Keep the spacing between frames consistent – usually 5–8cm. Tight, even spacing makes a collection of different prints read as one cohesive display. Larger gaps make the wall look scattered.
Gallery wall layout ideas
1. The grid
Identical frame sizes in neat rows and columns – for example, six 30 x 40cm prints in two rows of three. It's clean, modern and ideal for a series, like a set of botanical or black and white prints.
2. The salon-style (eclectic) wall
Mixed sizes, orientations and styles arranged around one larger central piece. Start with your largest artwork slightly off-centre, then build outwards. This relaxed look suits boho, eclectic and coastal homes.
3. The single row
Three to five prints hung in a line with their centres (or bottom edges) aligned. Perfect above a sofa, bed or sideboard.
4. The statement pair or trio
Two or three large matching prints hung side by side. Instantly polished, and great for the space above a king or queen bed.
5. The staircase climb
Follow the angle of the stairs, keeping each artwork's centre about 145–150cm above the step directly below it.
How to plan a gallery wall without extra holes
- Lay it out on the floor first. Arrange your prints on the floor until you love the layout, then take a photo.
- Make paper templates. Trace each frame onto paper or kraft paper, cut them out and mark where the hanging hook sits.
- Tape the templates to the wall. Use painter's tape to try the layout on the wall. Adjust until the spacing and height feel right.
- Hammer through the templates. Put the nail or hook straight through the mark on each template, then tear the paper away.
- Renting? Use removable adhesive hooks and strips rated for the weight of your frame, or choose wall decals that peel off cleanly.
Wall art ideas by style
Botanical and plant prints
Botanical prints bring the outdoors in and suit almost any room. The Green Botanical Leaf Canvas Prints feature monstera, palms and houseplants in 25 designs, while the Black & White Plant Canvas Prints add natural texture without extra colour.
Black and white wall art
Black and white art is timeless and easy to mix. Try the Black & White Dandelion Flower Prints (12 designs), the Dandelion Black & White Canvas Art, or the minimalist Scandi Forest Wildlife Canvas Prints with misty pines, deer and eagles.
Japanese and Japandi wall art
For a calm, Japandi-inspired space, ukiyo-e-style prints add character and history. Choose from the Japanese Bonsai Ukiyo-e Canvas Prints (37 designs) or the colourful Japanese Koi Fish Ukiyo-e Canvas Prints (40 designs).
Coastal wall art
Bring the beach home with the sun-faded tones of the Vintage Surf & Palm Canvas Prints and a flock of Flying Seagulls Wall Decals – removable and waterproof, so they're renter friendly. See more in our Coastal Living collection.
Modern and abstract wall art
The Golden Landscape Textured Canvas Wall Art has a painterly, textured finish in warm golds – a calming focal point above a sofa or bed. The Nordic Abstract Canvas Wall Art offers 16 playful bird and flower designs to build your own gallery wall.
Statement metal wall art
Metal wall art adds dimension and casts beautiful shadows. The Tree of Life Metal Wall Art is a matte black three-piece set that forms one striking silhouette.
Long and tall wall art for hallways
Long-format prints suit hallways, entries and narrow walls. The Fortune Tree Canvas Wall Art comes in 24 designs and long sizes up to 60 x 120cm.
Kids' room and nursery wall art
Kids' wall art should be fun, soft and easy to change as they grow. The Pink Butterfly & Rainbow Kids Wall Art offers 34 pastel designs, the Cute Brown Bear Nursery Prints come as a coordinated set of three, the Kids Early Learning Canvas Prints help little ones learn, and the Tropical Animal Canvas Wall Art features giraffes, elephants and palm trees. Hang nursery art securely and out of reach of cots.
Man cave and garage wall decor
Retro metal tin signs are the classic choice for sheds, garages, home bars and games rooms. Choose from bar and man cave tin signs, garage and motor oil tin signs or retro motorcycle tin signs.
Framing unframed canvas prints
Many canvas prints – including most of ours – ship unframed and rolled in a protective tube. This keeps delivery costs down and lets you choose a frame that suits your home:
- Floating frames give a modern, gallery look.
- Thin black or natural timber frames suit Scandi, Japandi and coastal styles.
- Stretcher bars turn a rolled canvas into a classic frameless canvas.
- Poster hangers (timber rails top and bottom) are quick, affordable and renter friendly.
To flatten a rolled print, lay it face up under a few heavy books for a day or two before framing.
Beyond prints: other wall decor ideas
- Wall planters: a Rattan Hanging Wall Planter adds greenery and texture.
- Woven baskets: Woven Wall Hanging Baskets double as boho wall art and storage.
- Feature walls: Peel & Stick Feature Wall Wallpaper and 3D Foam Wall Panels transform a wall in an afternoon – no tradie required.
Gallery wall FAQ
How many pictures should be in a gallery wall?
There's no set number, but most gallery walls look best with between 5 and 12 pieces. Above a sofa, 3–6 prints is a good starting point.
Should all frames in a gallery wall match?
Matching frames create a clean, modern look; mixed frames feel relaxed and eclectic. If you mix, keep one common element – such as colour palette, frame colour or subject.
What is the best height to hang a picture?
Hang art with its centre around 145–150cm from the floor, or 20–25cm above the top of a sofa, bed or sideboard.
Can I hang wall art without drilling?
Yes. Use removable adhesive hooks and strips rated for the weight of your frame, or choose lightweight options like wall decals and poster hangers.
Shop wall art and wall decor
Explore our full range of wall art, canvas prints and wall decor – botanical, black and white, Japanese, coastal, abstract, kids' and metal wall art – with free tracked shipping Australia-wide and 30-day returns.