How to Choose Art for Your Gallery Wall
- Privileged Prints
- Nov 6
- 4 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
Choosing the right art for a gallery wall can feel overwhelming, but it does not need to be complicated. With a few simple principles, you can mix colours, styles, sizes, and personalities to create a wall that feels beautifully curated, effortlessly stylish, and completely you.
Whether you love bold colour, modern abstract prints, quirky artwork, or a mix of old and new, this guide will help you choose art that works together and transforms your space.
Use the 60:30:10 Rule (The Secret to a Cohesive Colour Palette)
Using a colour palette helps you avoid the chaos of randomly choosing art. There's a simple trick that makes it effortless. But, there is a very simple trick.
Interior designers often follow the 60:30:10 colour rule. It is simple but incredibly effective and it works perfectly for gallery walls.
60 percent is your main room colour.
30 percent is your secondary colour.
10 percent is your accent colour.
(for further details on the 60:30:10 rule and how to use it in your home click HERE to read our article on it)
Here is the magic part. Your gallery wall usually becomes the 10 percent.This is why bold and colourful art works even in neutral rooms. It gives the space that final pop that makes everything feel intentional and designed.
A good trick is to avoid matching the most obvious colour in the room. For example:
A green room does not need more green.
A navy room does not need more navy.
A beige room does not need more beige.
Instead, pick art that pulls in the secondary or accent colour. A green room might look incredible with pink, orange, rust or mustard. A navy room reacts beautifully to coral, gold, lilac or teal. A neutral room will come alive with almost any bold accent colour.
Choosing art that plays with the 10 percent accent is what makes your gallery wall feel curated rather than random.
Mix Art Styles for Depth and Personality
The best gallery walls include a mix of styles. This gives the wall richness, movement, and a curated look that feels intentional rather than flat.
Combine:
modern abstract prints
colourful graphic artwork
vintage inspired portraiture
quirky typography
expressive line drawings
bold maximalist pieces
Mixing modern and vintage art creates a gallery wall that feels collected over time instead of bought in one go. This contrast adds sophistication and charm.
Use an Anchor Piece
Every great gallery wall needs a hero print. This is the piece that sets the tone and anchors the layout.
Look for:
an A2 or large square print
bold colour
an expressive portrait
a striking abstract
or a quirky centrepiece
Once you choose your anchor, the rest of the artwork supports it by echoing colours, shapes, or moods.
Balance Sizes for a Professional Look
Varied sizes create visual rhythm. A gallery wall made entirely of the same size can feel flat, while a wall with mixed sizes feels dynamic and intentional.
A great mix might include:
1 or 2 large pieces (A2 or 40 x 40)
a few mid-size prints (A3 or 30 x 30)
smaller accents (A4, A5)
Large pieces shape the structure. Smaller pieces fill in gaps and add charm.
Square art prints add variety (they're also really handy for filling spaces/ gaps)
Choose Art That Tells a Story
The most compelling gallery walls are not just decorative. They say something about you. They are a conversation starter.
Consider including:
artwork with meaning
prints that make you smile
pieces that reflect your personality
colours that lift your mood
art that feels like you
From quirky typography to abstract chaos, each piece should contribute to the story your wall tells.
Let One Rule Guide Everything: Choose What You Love
If you are unsure where to begin, curated gallery wall collections make everything effortless. They include:
a professionally designed mix of colours and styles
balanced sizes
layout guidance
a pre-tested aesthetic that works every time
You can hang the set exactly as recommended or customise the sizes and arrangement to suit your space.
Final Thoughts
Choosing art for your gallery wall does not need to be stressful. Start with colour, pick an anchor, mix styles, play with contrast, and let your personality guide the rest. Your wall should feel bold, expressive, and unmistakably yours.
Ready to Start Your Gallery Wall?
Option 1: Build Your Own
Browse our individual prints and use the tips above to create a custom gallery wall that's uniquely yours.
Option 2: Skip the Guesswork
Choose a curated collection with artwork that's already designed to work together, plus layout guidance and balanced sizes.
All curated collections include:
Professionally designed colour palettes
Mixed styles and sizes for visual impact
Museum-quality, sustainable prints
Free delivery on orders over £45
20% off all sets (no code needed!)
Comments