We don’t see one thing going out of style anytime soon: gallery walls! But there are limitless ways to design one, so for World Art Day, we wanted to feature the trendiest gallery wall styles of 2023 that are all over social media.
Whether you prefer the sophisticated and moody vibe of dark academia, the sleek and streamlined look of minimalism, the eclectic and energetic style of maximalism, or the creative and space-saving concept of corner galleries, there’s a trend that’s sure to inspire you. What better way to infuse a new dose of personality into your walls?
Dark Academia
Since 2021, the Dark Acadamia aesthetic has been trending (especially on Tiktok!), and the huge popularity of the TV show Wednesday has continued the trend’s interest.
According to the New York Times, its look is described as “traditional-academic-with-a-gothic-edge.” Dark Acadmia idealizes classical Ivy league education, literature, and an overarching sense of broodiness, and it has a classic timelessness for those who embrace the style!
To create your own dark academia gallery wall, start with a dark and broody color scheme with deep green, navy, burgundy, and brown hues. For the art, you may choose to feature a mix of vintage and modern art pieces, such as oil paintings, prints, and black-and-white photographs. Some common motifs seen in a dark academia gallery wall include depictions of classical architecture, still lifes, portraits, and landscapes.
In addition to art, a dark academia gallery wall may include other objects such as antique books, bookends, globes, or even taxidermy, all of which evoke a sense of intellectualism and timelessness. The arrangement of the pieces can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, but usually, the overall display has a sense of order and balance.
Minimalist
If you only want to feature a few photos within a cohesive theme, and prefer a cleaner look, this style may be for you!
A minimalist gallery wall is a pared-down version of a traditional gallery wall. It typically features a limited selection of art pieces and objects arranged simply and cleanly. Many people create minimalist gallery walls of black-and-white family photos framed with generous matt space and thin, identical frames in gold or black on white or light-colored walls.
The arrangement is often symmetrical or geometric, with each art piece or object carefully placed to create a sense of balance and proportion. Common motifs in a minimalist gallery wall include abstract art, geometric shapes, typography, and photographs. Overall, a minimalist gallery wall aims to create a calming and peaceful atmosphere while showcasing the beauty of individual art pieces.
Maximalist
Calling all bright-color lovers! Being extra is a good thing when designing a maximalist gallery wall, which usually consists of a large collection of artworks, photographs, and/or decorative objects. The key to creating a maximalist gallery wall is to embrace a bold and diverse mix of styles, colors, textures, and sizes and to arrange the pieces to create a cohesive and balanced overall look.
Some common elements of a maximalist gallery wall might include:
- A mix of framed and unframed pieces
- A variety of art styles, such as abstract, figurative, and landscape
- Different types of media, such as paintings, prints, drawings, and photographs
- Decorative objects, such as mirrors, clocks, and sculptures
- A range of sizes, from small to large, to create visual interest and depth
- Bold colors, patterns, and textures to add energy and contrast
- A mix of horizontal and vertical orientations to create visual flow and balance
To get it right, experiment with different combinations of pieces and arrange them in a dynamic and cohesive way. It can be helpful to start with a central focal point, such as a large piece of artwork or a unique object, and then build outwards from there, adding pieces of varying sizes and styles to create a layered and dynamic display.
Corner
Why limit yourself to decorating just one wall? Fill your space differently with a corner gallery wall! This type of gallery wall can be a great way to showcase multiple art pieces in a small or awkwardly-shaped area, such as a hallway or a corner of a room.
Your corner gallery wall’s specific contents and style are up to you, but you can consider including framed paintings, photographs, prints, or other flat artwork. Try hanging at different heights and angles to create visual interest and depth.
While these four gallery wall styles are trending now, there’s no wrong way to decorate as long as you love it! Book a Mounting Tasker right here to help you map and hang your artwork to make building your next gallery wall a breeze.
