You’ve collected the artwork. You’ve printed the photos. Now comes the stressful part: how do you actually arrange them on the wall?
A gallery wall can look effortless and curated. But getting it right takes planning. The wrong layout looks chaotic. The right layout looks like it belongs in a magazine.
At Art On Anything, we’ve helped hundreds of Pretoria homeowners turn blank walls into beautiful gallery walls using our canvas prints and custom frames. We’ve seen what works and what doesn’t.
Here are 7 proven gallery wall layouts you can copy this weekend.
Before You Start: 3 Rules That Apply To Every Layout
Rule 1: Lay It Out On The Floor First
Never start hammering nails into your wall without a dry run. Place your frames and canvases on the floor and arrange them until you’re happy. Take a photo. Then transfer that layout to the wall.
Rule 2: Keep The Centres Consistent
The centre of your gallery wall should sit at eye level — roughly 145cm to 150cm from the floor. This is true whether you’re standing or sitting.
Rule 3: Match The Art To The Space
| Wall Size | Total Art Width |
|---|---|
| Small wall (1m wide) | 60% – 75% of wall width |
| Medium wall (1.5m – 2m wide) | 50% – 65% of wall width |
| Large wall (2.5m+ wide) | 40% – 60% of wall width |
A gallery wall should fill the space without overwhelming it.
Layout 1: The Grid
Best for: Hallways, above a sofa, studies, offices
Difficulty: Easy
Number of pieces: 4, 6, or 9 (even numbers work best)
The Grid is the most foolproof gallery wall. You hang matching frames or canvases in perfect rows and columns. Every piece is the same size. Every gap is the same.
How to do it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose pieces of identical size (e.g., 4 x A3 canvas prints) |
| 2 | Measure your wall and calculate spacing (5cm – 8cm between pieces works well) |
| 3 | Mark your nail points using a level and tape measure |
| 4 | Hang each piece so the bottoms align |
What to put in a Grid:
- Family portraits (black and white works beautifully)
- Botanical prints
- Abstract art in matching colour palettes
- Travel photography from the same trip
Where to buy for this layout:
| Bundle | What You Get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Four Square | 4 x A3 canvas prints | R999 |
| The Grid | 9 x (200mm) square canvases | R1,899 |
| Mosaic | 6 x A4 canvas prints | R1,099 |
All bundles include hand-stretched canvases, ready to hang.
Layout 2: The Salon Style
Best for: Large living room walls, staircases, behind a dining table
Difficulty: Advanced
Number of pieces: 7 – 20+ (the more, the better)
The Salon Style is maximalist. You fill a large wall with a dense collection of artwork in different sizes, shapes, and frame styles. It looks chaotic but intentional.
How to do it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Collect 10 – 20 pieces (mix of canvas, framed prints, mirrors, textiles) |
| 2 | Start with your largest piece at the centre or slightly off-centre |
| 3 | Work outward, layering smaller pieces around the large anchor |
| 4 | Vary gaps between pieces (2cm – 10cm works best) |
| 5 | Leave no empty space — fill the entire zone |
What to put in a Salon Style:
- A mix of everything: family photos, art prints, kids’ drawings, postcards, small mirrors
- Different frame styles (wood, black, white, brass)
- Canvas prints and framed prints mixed together
Pro tip:
Use The Grand Hall bundle (1x A0 + 2x A1) as your anchor pieces, then add smaller frames around them.
Layout 3: The Staircase
Best for: Walls alongside a staircase
Difficulty: Medium
Number of pieces: 5 – 12
Staircase walls are tricky because the angle changes. Your gallery wall needs to follow the same diagonal line as the stairs themselves.
How to do it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Mark the angle of your staircase on the wall using painter’s tape |
| 2 | Arrange pieces so their centres fall along that invisible diagonal line |
| 3 | Space pieces evenly (15cm – 25cm between centres works well) |
| 4 | Start with your largest piece at eye level on the stair landing |
What to put on a Staircase:
- Family photos going up the stairs chronologically (baby → toddler → school → graduation)
- Landscape art that matches the angle
- Black and white photography (uniform look)
Pro tip:
Use the same frame colour for every piece on a staircase wall. The consistent frames make the diagonal layout feel intentional.
Layout 4: The Ledge (No Nails)
Best for: Renters, children’s rooms, anyone who changes art often
Difficulty: Very easy
Number of pieces: 3 – 10
You don’t need to put a single hole in your wall. A picture ledge (a shallow shelf) lets you lean frames and canvases directly on top. You can swap art out seasonally or whenever you want.
How to do it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Install a 1m – 2m picture ledge (available at most hardware stores) |
| 2 | Layer 3 – 7 pieces of varying heights on the ledge |
| 3 | Lean larger pieces at the back, smaller pieces in front |
| 4 | Change the arrangement whenever you feel like it |
What to put on a Ledge:
- Framed prints (they lean well)
- Small canvases (A4 or A3)
- Postcards, kids’ art, or new prints you want to test before committing to a nail
Where to buy for this layout:
| Bundle | What You Get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| The Spiral | 1xA1 + 1xA2 + 1xA3 + 1xA4 | R1,399 |
| Living Room Trio | 1xA1 + 2xA2 | R1,299 |
Pair with our custom frameless wood frames for a modern ledge look.
Layout 5: The Anchor + Satellites
Best for: Above a bed, above a fireplace, above a console table
Difficulty: Easy
Number of pieces: 3 – 7
One large piece (the anchor) sits at the centre. Smaller pieces (satellites) surround it. This layout creates a clear focal point.
How to do it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hang your largest piece (A1, A0, or The Grand Square) at the centre |
| 2 | Hang 2 – 6 smaller pieces around it |
| 3 | Keep satellites within 5cm – 15cm of the anchor |
| 4 | Vary sizes (e.g., A1 anchor + A3 and A4 satellites) |
What to put in an Anchor + Satellites layout:
- A large family portrait (anchor) + smaller individual photos of each family member (satellites)
- A large landscape canvas + smaller botanical prints
- A large abstract canvas + smaller matching abstract squares
Where to buy for this layout:
| Bundle | What You Get | Use As |
|---|---|---|
| Family Wall | 1xA1 + 4xA3 | Anchor + 4 satellites |
| The Grand Hall | 1xA0 + 2xA1 | Large anchor + 2 statement satellites |
Layout 6: The Horizontal Row
Best for: Above a long sofa, above a bed, in a hallway
Difficulty: Easy
Number of pieces: 3 – 5
Three to five matching pieces hung in a straight horizontal line. Clean. Simple. Modern.
How to do it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Choose pieces of identical size (e.g., 3 x A2 canvas prints) |
| 2 | Measure the total width of all pieces + gaps (5cm – 10cm between each) |
| 3 | Centre that total width on your wall |
| 4 | Hang so the bottoms or centres align perfectly |
What to put in a Horizontal Row:
- A triptych (three matching pieces that form one larger image)
- Three landscape photos from the same trip
- Three abstract prints in matching colour palettes
Where to buy for this layout:
| Bundle | What You Get | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Triptych (3 x A2) | 3 x A2 canvas prints | R999 (save R351) |
| Horizon Split | 3 x medium square canvases | R999 |
| Cinematic Split | 3 x large square canvases | R1,499 |
Layout 7: The Organic Cluster
Best for: Corners, small nooks, above a desk
Difficulty: Medium
Number of pieces: 3 – 7
No rules. No grid. No straight lines. You simply cluster pieces together in a way that feels organic, like they grew on the wall.
How to do it:
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1 | Lay pieces on the floor in a loose cluster |
| 2 | Avoid perfect rows or columns — stagger everything |
| 3 | Mix sizes, orientations (portrait and landscape), and frame styles |
| 4 | Transfer to the wall, maintaining the same loose cluster shape |
What to put in an Organic Cluster:
- A mix of everything you love: canvas prints, framed family photos, small mirrors, kids’ art, postcards
- Frames in different colours (wood, black, white, brass)
Pro tip:
Start with one medium piece as your centre of gravity. Then “float” smaller pieces around it, leaving varied but balanced gaps.
Still Overwhelmed? Here’s What To Do
We get it. Gallery walls are intimidating. If you’re unsure, start small:
- Buy one bundle (The Four Square is a great starter: R999 for 4 x A3 canvases)
- Hang it using The Grid layout on a small wall
- Live with it for a month
- Add more pieces once you’re comfortable
Or simply WhatsApp us a photo of your blank wall. We’ll recommend a layout and bundle that fits your space. No charge. No obligation.
WhatsApp: +27 64 504 6275
Quick Reference: Which Layout Should You Choose?
| Your Situation | Best Layout |
|---|---|
| You want foolproof and simple | The Grid |
| You have a large, empty wall | Salon Style |
| You have a staircase | The Staircase |
| You’re renting or change art often | The Ledge |
| You have one large piece to feature | Anchor + Satellites |
| You have a long sofa or bed | Horizontal Row |
| You want something unique and freeform | Organic Cluster |
Ready to build your gallery wall? Browse our bundles or contact us for a free layout consultation.
Art On Anything – Art That Speaks
*Hand-stretched in Pretoria. 30mm chunky wood. Ready to hang.*