You don’t have to be a professional artist to create a stunning gallery wall (although that could certainly help!) Creating a gallery wall is really about your creative vision and how you’d like to express your style within a home. There isn’t one correct way to do this, but our talented members at HostGPO have some tips to consider to make your gallery wall vision come to life.

HostGPO member Muneeb Arain hosts a beautiful, modern rental in Portland, Oregon. Muneeb’s advice is to, “have one focus piece, and start decorating around that. Usually the focus piece would be the largest print, a lot of contrast in sizes would also help the flow of the artwork from piece to piece.” I mean, just look at this masterpiece!

Muneeb also shared some tips for planning the perfect gallery layout. He suggests measuring the gallery wall space and creating a taped border of the same size on the floor to experiment with different layouts before putting your art on the wall.

In another unit, Muneeb has crafted this black and white gallery wall in his downtown Marquette, Michigan rental's dining nook. Muneeb's wall is unique in that the art is all monochromatic and thematic. The wall is unified by the use of black frames and the monochromatic art, which contrasts the crisp white matte wall behind the pieces.

In the following space, HostGPO member Amit Anandwala has created several lovely gallery walls in this colorful space. This specific one adds beautiful pops of color and some dimension to the room with the varying sizes and subjects of each image. Gallery walls are a fantastic way to incorporate bright colors into your space, and to tie in colors from your furniture and linens as well, like this dreamy one below.

The art in this eclectic mid-century modern vacation rental by Erminia Costantino is a mix of styles from different eras, from abstract modern art to vintage prints. A good tip; depending on the design of the rental, the art may also be mixed with more traditional elements such as maps, photographs, and vintage advertising. Additionally, art inspired by the location of the rental, such as nature scenes, local wildlife, and traditional cultural motifs makes the unit stand out.

Speaking of colors, it isn’t necessary to have the same colors in all of your images. In fact, it’s important to include a variety of colors to add eye-catching depth.  On the other hand, you don’t want to have 10 images that are each vastly different colors. Try to pick 2-3 main colors for your entire gallery wall and have those be present at least 2-3 times throughout the entire gallery.

Lastly, HostGPO member Jen Sexton encourages those wanting to create a gallery wall to not be afraid to mix mediums to add texture and depth.

She says, “I typically gather a handful of frames - some that I’ve collected over the years, while mixing in newer frames, sometimes the same style, different sizes. You’ll want to arrange the frames by balancing size, color, and style.” 

As demonstrated in her gallery wall pictured above, she advises to incorporate a few lighter frames in order to create a cohesive look. It is important to ensure that the artwork is placed no more than 1-4 inches apart, depending on the size of the area.

The real lesson here is that creating a gallery wall is entirely up to you and your vision. It’s a way for you to express yourself and to have fun. Creating a gallery wall in a vacation rental is a great way to add a personal touch to the space and make your guests feel more at home. It doesn’t have to be expensive or time-consuming – with the help of your HostGPO discount and a little bit of research, you can create a gallery wall that will make your rental stand out from the rest. Whether you’re a seasoned host or just starting out, it’s easy to create a gallery wall that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.