🎨 Gallery Wall with Posters
Instead of one poster, try the whole wall.
A single poster is a punctuation mark. A gallery wall is a paragraph — a complete thought, a personality made visible. Mixing different sizes, themes and styles on a wall creates something no individual print can achieve: a display that feels alive, personal, and entirely yours. This guide covers everything you need to plan, arrange and hang a gallery wall that works — from the first layout sketch to the final nail.
3
prints minimum
for a gallery wall
5–8cm
ideal gap between
frames
£9
start a 4-print wall
buy 3 get 1 free
6
gallery layouts
covered in this guide
📝 The Six Gallery Wall Layouts
Every gallery wall is one of these six arrangements, or a combination of them. Choose before you start — it makes everything else easier.
I
The Symmetric Grid
Equal-sized frames arranged in neat rows and columns. The most ordered approach — perfect for a formal living room or study.
Minimalist homes · symmetry lovers · when all prints share a theme
II
The Salon Hang
Mix of sizes clustered around a large centrepiece, filling the wall with movement. Organic, layered and full of personality — the classic gallery approach.
Feature walls · eclectic collections · living rooms and hallways
III
The Staircase
Frames arranged in a diagonal flow, following the line of a staircase or creating visual movement across a flat wall.
Staircase walls · narrow corridors · adding dynamism to long walls
IV
The Row
Two or three prints in a single horizontal line, perfectly centred. Simple, clean and very effective above a sofa, bed or console.
Above sofas · above beds · above fireplaces · bedroom feature wall
V
The Vertical Column
Three or more prints stacked vertically, ideal for tall narrow walls. Creates height and draws the eye upwards.
Narrow spaces · between windows · alongside doorframes
VI
The Organic Cluster
No rules, no grid — frames placed at varying heights and angles, some overlapping slightly. The most personal and maximalist approach.
Maximalist rooms · personal collections · feature statement walls
💡 Pro tip — the paper template method: Before you put a single nail in the wall, cut out newspaper or brown paper in the exact size of each print, tape them to the wall with painter's tape, and live with the arrangement for a day. Move them around freely. This costs nothing and saves every mistake.
🔧 How to Build Your Gallery Wall: 8 Steps
1
Start with your anchor print
Pick the largest or most important print first — this is the centrepiece everything else organises around. A city map, a large lyric print, or a bold movie poster works well.
2
Choose your frame style
Decide early: matching frames (cohesive and formal) or mixed frames (relaxed and eclectic). Both work — but mixing dark and light frames in the same group usually doesn't.
3
Cut paper templates first
Before drilling any holes, trace each frame on paper or newspaper, cut them out and tape them to the wall. Move them around until the arrangement feels right. This is the most important step.
4
Set your spacing
Gallery walls work best with consistent gaps. We recommend 5–8 cm between frames for a connected look, or 10–15 cm for a more airy feel. Use a ruler, not your eye.
5
Align the centre line
For most arrangements, choose a common horizontal centre line — all prints should share their vertical centre at the same height. Start by hanging your anchor piece, then work outward.
6
Mix sizes with intention
The most dynamic gallery walls combine at least three sizes: a large piece (A1 or A2) as the anchor, two or three medium pieces (A3 or A4), and one or two smaller accents (A5 or A6).
7
Consider the frame-to-print ratio
A frame 2–3 cm wider than the print on all sides looks clean. Oversized mounts (3–5 cm) look museum-quality. Tiny or no borders look cheap — avoid if possible.
8
Light the wall
Gallery walls look dramatically better with dedicated lighting: a picture light above the anchor print, or a directed spotlight. Natural side light works too, but avoid direct sunlight on prints.
💾 Choosing the Right Sizes
Mixing sizes is what makes a gallery wall feel deliberate rather than random. Use this as a guide — not a rule. All these sizes are available at 98types from £3.
| Size |
Dimensions |
Role in a Gallery Wall |
Works Best With |
| A1 |
59.4 × 84.1 cm |
Hero / anchor print — the centrepiece that everything organises around |
Salon hang · large living room walls |
| A2 |
42 × 59.4 cm |
Feature print — a strong secondary piece or a modest centrepiece |
Bedroom · above sofa · paired with A3s |
| A3 |
29.7 × 42 cm |
The workhorse of gallery walls — versatile, readable, impactful |
Every arrangement · perfect in pairs |
| A4 |
21 × 29.7 cm |
Mid-weight filler — adds rhythm and transition between larger prints |
Between A3s · corners of grid arrangements |
| A5 |
14.8 × 21 cm |
Accent / detail — adds interest and scale contrast |
Corners · ends of rows · bathroom walls |
| A6 |
10.5 × 14.8 cm |
Tiny accent or greeting card size — sparingly, for variety only |
Tight clusters · detail interest points |
💬 The rule of three sizes: The most balanced gallery walls use at least three different sizes. A good starting formula: one large anchor (A1 or A2) + two or three medium prints (A3) + one or two smaller accents (A4 or A5). Buy 3 get 1 free at 98types means your first three prints come with a free fourth — perfect for a starter gallery wall.
Spacing Guide
Visual spacing reference — consistent gaps make the difference between a gallery wall and a random collection of prints
5–8 cm gaps — connected, intentional
10–15 cm gaps — airy, breathing room
🏠 Gallery Wall Ideas by Room
Different rooms call for different approaches. Here are the print combinations that work best in each space.
Living Room
Walls 2.5–4m wide — the most space to work with
Works well with: City maps · movie posters · song lyric prints · abstract art
Mix A1/A2 anchor + A3 × 3 + A4 × 2 for a 6-piece salon hang above the sofa
Shop Living Room Prints →
Bedroom
Feature wall behind the bed — personal and calm
Works well with: Botanical prints · quote prints · zodiac art · landscape photography
Two A2 prints flanking the headboard, or a 2×2 grid of A3s centred above it
Shop Bedroom Prints →
Kitchen
Smaller walls — humour and warmth welcome
Works well with: Funny kitchen prints · food art · flowers market prints · botanical herbs
A5 and A4 grid of 4–6 small prints above the worktop or on the chimney breast
Shop Kitchen Prints →
Hallway
Narrow vertical walls — follow the staircase
Works well with: City maps · travel prints · family favourites · motivational quotes
Staircase hang: A3 at bottom, A4 mid-level, A5 at top — following the banister line
Shop Hallway Prints →
Home Office
Inspiring and focused — keep the theme tight
Works well with: Motivational quotes · architecture prints · pop art · city maps
Symmetrical 2×2 A4 grid above the desk — cohesive colours, one consistent theme
Shop Home Office Prints →
Bathroom
Small scale — maximum impact
Works well with: Botanical prints · funny quotes · abstract florals · vintage travel
Two or three A5 prints in a row, or a single large A3 on the main wall
Shop Bathroom Prints →
🌟 Curated Gallery Wall Sets
Six ready-to-build gallery wall combinations using 98types prints. Each set is designed to work together, with notes on sizing and framing.
Music Lover
The Lyric Wall
- Song lyric print · A2 anchor
- Artist poster · A3
- Album print · A3
- Concert print · A4
Dark frames · cream mounts · A2 centre flanked by A3s
World Traveller
The Cities Wall
- Home city map · A1 centrepiece
- Cities visited · A2 × 2
- Flowers market print · A3
- Custom city print · A4
Matching black frames · prints from every country you've been to
Film Fan
The Cinema Wall
- Favourite film poster · A2
- Classic film print · A3 × 2
- Director's choice · A4
- Quote print · A5
Dark background prints · one consistent era or genre
Botanist
The Garden Wall
- Flowers market · A2 centrepiece
- Botanical print · A3 × 2
- Japanese art · A4
- Floral quote · A5
Natural wood or white frames · green and cream palette
Maximalist
The Everything Wall
- City map · A1
- Movie poster · A2
- Song lyric · A3
- Zodiac art · A3
- Funny quote · A4
- Animal print · A5
Mixed frame styles · mixed themes · no rules — just personality
Minimalist
The Considered Three
- Statement print · A2
- Complementary piece · A3
- Small accent · A4 or A5
- Deliberately: lots of space
Identical white frames · one colour palette · horizontal row
🔩 Framing, Hanging & Finishing
Frames don’t all have to match — but they should relate. A gallery wall of all-black frames looks formal and editorial. All-white frames feels clean and Scandinavian. Mixed gold and black frames can work beautifully together. What doesn’t work: completely random frame colours with no visual logic connecting them.
The Three Framing Approaches
All Matching Frames
Every frame identical: same colour, same width, same material. Creates maximum cohesion — the prints themselves provide all the variety.
Minimalist rooms · formal living rooms · offices
Coordinated Family
Two or three related frame styles — e.g. black and dark walnut, or white and natural oak. Related but not identical. The most forgiving approach.
Most rooms · eclectic collections · mixing print types
Deliberately Mixed
Intentionally varied frames — gold, black, wood, white — as part of the design. Works only with a clear colour logic and a lot of confidence.
Maximalist rooms · personal collections · boho interiors
📌 The hanging trick: For a nail-in-the-wall hang, use the measurement from the top of the frame to the hanging wire (or hook) — not the top of the print. Measure this distance, then mark that far below where you want the top of the frame to appear. That’s where your nail goes. Every time.
🌑 Start in the middle, work outward. For a salon hang or organic cluster, hang the centrepiece first at exactly the right height, then work outward from it. For a symmetric grid, hang the top-left piece first, then the top row, then drop down. Never start in a corner — you’ll run out of wall in the wrong direction.
🎪 Build Your Gallery Wall from 98types
Every print at 98types is available from A6 to A3, on 260gsm museum-grade satin paper with archive pigment inks — designed to be framed and displayed. Buy 3 get 1 free means a four-print starter gallery wall from £9. Same-day first class dispatch from Market Hall, Camden Lock Place, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AL.
🎨 Start Your Gallery Wall Today
Every print from £3 · A6 to A3 · 260gsm museum-grade satin paper · Archive pigment inks · Buy 3 get 1 FREE · Same-day first class dispatch from Market Hall, Camden Lock Place, Chalk Farm Road, London NW1 8AL. Mix city maps, song lyrics, botanical prints and movie posters for a gallery wall that’s entirely yours.
Browse All Prints →
FAQ — Gallery Walls & Poster Displays
How many prints do I need for a gallery wall?
A gallery wall needs a minimum of three prints to work as an arrangement rather than just a collection of individual pieces. Most effective gallery walls use between five and twelve prints. For a wall above a sofa (typically 160–180 cm wide), six to eight prints is a good target. Buy 3 get 1 free at 98types means your first four prints — a starter gallery wall — cost from £9.
Should all the frames in a gallery wall match?
Not necessarily, but they should relate. All-matching frames (same colour, same width) create the most cohesive look — the prints themselves provide the variety. Mixing two complementary frame colours (black and dark wood, or white and natural oak) works well for an eclectic collection. Completely random frame colours with no visual logic tend to look accidental rather than intentional. If in doubt, matching black frames work with almost everything.
What size should the centrepiece of my gallery wall be?
For a wall above a sofa or bed, an A2 (42 × 59.4 cm) makes a strong centrepiece that smaller prints can organise around. For a larger feature wall, an A1 (59.4 × 84.1 cm) commands the space properly. The centrepiece should be noticeably larger than the secondary prints — a centrepiece that’s only marginally bigger than the surrounding prints doesn’t read as a centre of gravity. All sizes from A6 to A3 are available at 98types from £3. For A1 and A2, use the custom print option.
How do I choose prints that work together in a gallery wall?
Three approaches all work: Theme cohesion — all prints share a subject (all city maps, all music prints, all botanical). Style cohesion — all prints share a visual style (all dark/light backgrounds, all hand-drawn, all typographic). Colour cohesion — all prints share a colour palette even across different themes (warm tones throughout, or all prints featuring teal and cream). A mix of all three approaches tends to produce the most personal and interesting result. Browse the Living Room collection for curated print combinations.
How high should I hang a gallery wall?
The visual centre of a gallery wall should sit at approximately eye level — roughly 145–160 cm from the floor. For a gallery wall above furniture (a sofa, a console, a bed), leave 20–30 cm between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the lowest print. Above a sofa, this means the visual centre of the arrangement is roughly 150–155 cm from the floor. The most common mistake is hanging gallery walls too high — they should feel connected to the furniture below them, not floating on the ceiling.
Also read: Poster Size Guide: A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 · How to Frame Posters Properly · How to Create a Gallery Wall
