Here’s how to make a professional-looking gallery wall using inexpensive Ikea frames, DIY mats and your own photos!
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Gallery Wall Inspiration
I’ve been pinning these gorgeous monochromatic gallery walls for quite some time now…
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Ahhh…. like a breath of fresh air. So when we ended up with this large bare wall in our new master bedroom…
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| Paint color is Valspar’s Urban Sunrise, more photos here |
I knew exactly what I wanted to do. What I didn’t want to do, however, was spend hundreds on this project—and if you’ve ever been shopping for large matted frames, you know how pricey they can be.
Inexpensive Frames
On my last road trip to Ikea, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to pick up six of these large Nyttja frames in black:
I loved the simple thin frame and most of all, the price! It was just $7.99 for the 21×21″ which was the perfect size for my wall. Right now they are only $4.99 with the Friends and Family discount! Insane, right? If you’re lucky enough to live near an Ikea—walk, don’t run, to your local store and stock up! You can never have too many.
Here’s one frame in all its glory:
Use Posterboard for custom Mats
As you might notice, the frame doesn’t include a mat. But there’s an easy fix:
I picked up a 10 sheet pack of white posterboard at Michael’s for just $3 after a 40% off coupon. Super score.
Cut out an opening
To turn the sheets into a mat, I simply removed the backing from the frame and traced the outside of it onto a sheet:
Then I used my Xacto knife and ruler to cut it out. Easy peasy. I wanted the mats to make a statement so I kept the picture opening on the small side, settling on a 6″ square.
After lots of precise measurements, I cut out my square in the center of the sheet the same way I cut the outside shape. Here’s Susie modeling my fancy new mat:
I could have just skipped this step and taped or glued my photos in the center, but I wanted this to be as realistic as possible and also make sure everything was perfectly centered. It will also make things easy down the line if I decide to switch out my photos.
Use the first mat as a template
After I had my first mat made, I used it as a template and traced it onto the remaining five sheets. In no time at all, my mats were ready to rock. For the photos, I decided to go with a water theme and gathered some of my favorite Instagram photos from our travels—Mexico, California, Mississippi, Florida and Costa Rica.
Convert your photos to black & white (optional)
I opened them all in Photoshop, scaled them to size (slightly larger than the mat opening for necessary overlap), and ran a simple black and white filter over them.
Print and trim your images
I printed them out on a sheet of 13×19 paper…
And trimmed them down:
To keep them secure, I placed a couple pieces of tape on the back:
Voila!
Assemble and hang
All that was left to do was put the frames back together…
I laid everything out to admire my work and decide on an arrangement. Susie helped oversee this process.
Use butcher paper as a guide to hang your frames
Next comes the part I always dread… attempting to line everything up on the wall. I decided to try out a new method this time and picked up a roll of butcher paper from Lowe’s:
It was just wide enough and I have 135 feet leftover to use for other projects, yay!
First I trimmed off a piece several feet long and and spread the sheet onto a flat surface. While my frames were on the ground and I had them spaced out accordingly (around 2″ between the frames), I measured from one nail position to the other and made my markings on the paper:
This is just one of those things where everyone has to figure out what works best for them.
Once I was confident I had my marks in the correct spot, it was time to hang the paper up on the wall (I had my sister help with this one).
Hammer picture nails into marks on paper
I used a level on the top and bottom to make sure it was perfectly straight. Then I just hammered my nails into the markings I had made:
Once all six were up, I ripped the paper off leaving the nails behind, and hung my frames. This is so much easier than any other method I’ve used! Make all your markings on paper so you don’t have to mess up your walls. Genius.
Tip: if your frames are slightly off, you can gently hammer the nail in the direction you want to go. I had to do this for one frame because the hanger wasn’t exactly in the same position as the others (I guess that’s what comes with a $7 frame… oh well).
Tip 2: to keep the frames hanging straight, use a bit of tape looped together (or putty) to gently hold it in place at the bottom:
These frames are so lightweight and easy to move out of place since they are hanging by just one nail, so this little bit of tape is perfect to hold them steady without damaging the wall.
For a couple hours of easy work and around $50, our room went from this:
to this:
I’ve been doing a happy dance ever since. I just love the classy yet personalized touch it adds to the room. Just a few more projects to go until I can call this space finished!
Hopefully this post can help solve someone else’s empty-wall syndrome… I really can’t think of anything better to spend $50 on!
Alexa says
Really live your wall color! What gray paint is that?
Mimzy says
Love it!
Jessica Plattner says
Love it! I just did something similar in my dining room and was having trouble with the frames easily moving off center. Your tape idea is so simple and genius. Thanks!
Han @ Brooklyn DIY Designs says
Ikea is my source for affordable frame! sometimes i get lucky and find some nice ones at the local discount store.
I have been wanting to try and make my own mats, there is a tool that you can use to cut beveled edge to look more professional.
great black and white gallery wall! I always love the clean look but I also love my colors too!
Queenie Galvez says
I love how it turned out! Went to Ikea and only the assorted colored ones are $4.99. �� The black ones are regular price $7.99. Pls advice…. thanks!
Queenie Galvez says
I love how it turned out! I went to Ikea today and to my surprise only the Nyttja colored ones are $4.99 and the black ones are regular price of $7.99. 🙁
annie hearts says
I've always loved a gallery wall. You did a fantastic job Jenna Sue!
I hope to post about my gallery wall soon…
🙂
Miss MP says
This is so great! I've put off doing a gallery wall because of the cost of buying friends. Running (not walking) to ikea this afternoon to pick up 8 of these for above my sofa.
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Chris! It's Valspar's Urban Sunrise, more photos here: https://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/new-master-paint-trim-plank-wall.html
Chris Dodaj says
I am so going to do this! What is the color grey on that wall? I love it!
Lounge 20 says
Really beautiful, great job! Funny, I had the similar idea for my walls at home, it´s on my todo list for this summer. Will check the frames when I´m at IKEA the next time… Patricia
LiveLaughDecorate says
Great job lady! Those gallery walls aren't cheap or easy and you've made it look so fab and easy. I'll look at those frames now with a new eye. P.s. I always use those small Velcro circles or squares to hold those suckers in place. They're pretty much set in place
Mel@JunkinJunky says
That is a seriously high end look at a great low cost. Gorgeous!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Shawna! It's Valspar's Urban Sunrise, more photos here: https://jennasuedesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/new-master-paint-trim-plank-wall.html
Dakota Creek Chic says
I love it! Looks great!! I also love the paint color…what did you use?
Shawna