Finally hang your pictures! The guide to a photo gallery wall under $100.

I’m just about caught up on editing and delivering my couple’s awesome Colorado weddings and elopements from late February and early March and now that my work-life is being postponed for 8+ weeks due to COVID-19 I’ve been trying to come up with ideas to pass the time that don’t involve binging Disney+ with Brayden for hours a day (okay, well, maybe a little bit of that can still happen). The main thing on my list for this Corona virus quarantine? Finally hang pictures in the house we’ve been occupying for NINE MONTHS. I know you’re with me. You still have all of your engagement, elopement and wedding photos hanging around in their online gallery that are begging to go up on very blank walls, but it’s SUCH an overwhelming process and you have no idea where to start. You’re not alone, I promise. I am the same human. I have had my documentary family photos from Colie James Photography that were taken in December of 2018 and even more that were taken an entire year later. So enter me – I am here – the photographer that is usually begging for more hours in the day to get enough work done that has very little to do for the next 8 weeks and is aaalll about guiding you through the perfect gallery wall for CHEAP now that I’ve finished ordering all of the goodies for a gallery wall of my very own. All of these frames are from Ikea, Target, or Crate and Barrel (and I’ll link them below, because you deserve it). P.S. The width of these gallery walls are around 5-6ft in width but it’s easily customizable to your wall space.

It doesn’t have to be expensive to look expensive!

I always get sticker shock when I start shopping for frames. They can cost so darn much, but there’s definitely places to find good deals like Target and Ikea, or Michael’s/Hobby Lobby when they have 50% off. Sometimes I’ll grab a statement frame from somewhere like West Elm or Crate & Barrel, but you know I live that frugal #singlemomlife so I’d much rather spend the $cheddar$ on quality prints that last!

PHOTO GALLERY WALL IDEA 1

Ikea Gold Frame, Ikea White Frame, Target Acrylic Frame, Ikea Wooden Frame (this is the look I’m going for and I’ll update with a photo of my wall once it’s all here and set up!)

PHOTO GALLERY WALL IDEA 2

The frames linked below aren’t an exact match to this gorgeous gallery wall, but they’re definitely similar enough to replicate it!

Target Gold Frame (actually C&B years ago, but found a similar one from Target), Wooden Frame, Black Frame , Small gold frame, Small Float Frame (gold)

GALLERY WALL 3

The image below is borrowed from The DIY Playbook and she has a whoolllee post on how to do a symmetrical gallery wall here.

Plus! Ikea Frames like the ones shown are only $15. Do a block of 9 of under $140!

Symmetry but also not symmetry

Personally, I love mixed frames to bring variety, depth, and different textures in! It all depends on your house and your vibe, but I suggest having two large anchor frames (like the large gold IKEA ones from the first gallery wall sample) and spacing them a part but on an equal plain. Then, sprinkle other frames around them, keeping equal space between the frames – make sure to not space it too close together or it will look crowded and cramped!

A mix of photos and artwork

I love a good photo wall but balance between artwork, landscape and photos can be really fun! You can download and print out gorgeous artwork from lots of Etsy shops, frame a post card from a trip you once took, or if you have a kiddo like me you can pop one of the millions of drawings or paintings you have hiding in your filing cabinet or at the bottom of a dresser drawer (that can’t be just me, right?)

High Quality Prints

Ok since I am a wedding photographer I maaayyyy be a bit biased but I think it’s SO important to have quality prints that are going to represent the color, textures, and depth of the photos! There’s a huge difference between a quick one hour print from Walgreens and a print from a professional company that has the high-end printers, computer calibration, and archival quality so they won’t fade if they’re on a sunny wall!

So as a special thank you for sticking with me through this entire post you can get 50% off prints right now – April 10th (for our entire Colorado shelter in place order, so no excuses not to get it done now!) Use the code GALLERYWALL2020 at checkout from your photo gallery and the photos will be to your door within a week!