Creating the perfect gallery wall
The norsu Edit | Styling Guide
Creating the perfect gallery wall
A great gallery wall looks effortless - but there's a method behind it. Our norsu styling team has broken the whole process down into three simple steps, plus the layout templates and hanging tricks we use every time.
If you've followed us since the beginning, it'll come as no surprise that we're huge fans of a gallery wall. Affordable artwork clustered together in a mix of shapes and sizes has been part of the norsu look from day one - drawn from the Scandinavian interiors we fell for on blogs and Instagram in our early days.
But while we can all agree a gallery wall looks amazing, the idea of hanging one in your own home can feel daunting. Where do you start? How many pieces? How far apart? The good news: there's a process - and once you know the order to work in, the guesswork disappears. Here's exactly how our styling team does it.
"Gather the mix first. Hang the hero last. Everything in between is spacing."
The method
Three steps, in this order
Gather first, plan second, hang last. Rush straight to the drill and you'll end up rearranging holes - work through these three in sequence and the wall comes together the first time.
01
Gather
Your perfect mix of prints.
A gallery wall hangs together when there's a thread running through it - a shared style, colour, subject or feeling. Lock that in first, then build your mix around it.
- Choose at least three pieces to get that clustered look.
- Don't stop at prints - an object adds depth. We once mounted a skate deck that set the palette for a whole room.
- Mix your frame colours freely; matching frame to print is what gives a wall character.
- Mix sizes and orientations - horizontals, verticals, big and small. There's no wrong answer, only how they sit together.
02
Plan
On the floor, first.
Before you touch a drill, lay everything out on the floor. This is where you sort cohesion and spacing - so move things around until it feels right.
- Measure the wall space you want to fill, then mark the same area on the floor with painters tape.
- Place your hero piece first as the anchor, then cluster everything else around it.
- Aim for an even ~8cm gap between frames - but don't fret if it's not perfect, slight variation adds character.
- Snap a photo of the final layout so you can refer back to it while hanging.
03
Hang
From the hero, outward.
Start with your centre height. Around 1.5m from the floor sits at average eye level and is a reliable place to begin - reach for a spirit level and tape if you like things exact, or trust your eye if you don't.
- For rentals, 3M Command strips are brilliant - but only for lightweight pieces, never heavy art behind glass.
- For something permanent, use a proper hook or screw to suit your wall type.
- Hang the hero piece first, then cluster outward, working around any furniture below.
- Step back and tweak as you go - a layout can read differently on the wall than on the floor.
Start here
Six layouts to build from
Stuck on arrangement? These are the formations we reach for most. Use one as-is, or as a jumping-off point for your own mix of shapes and sizes.
The Grid
Same size, even gaps. Calm, ordered and forgiving - the easiest place to start.
Hero & satellites
One large anchor in the centre, smaller pieces orbiting it. A natural focal point.
The Cluster
Mixed sizes, tight gaps, organic edges. The collected, salon-style look.
Two rows
Aligned top and bottom edges with varied widths between. Structured, not rigid.
The Row
A single line on a shared centre. Ideal above a sofa, console or bedhead.
The Column
Stacked vertically on a shared centre line. Made for narrow walls and stairwells.
From the styling team
Perfectly hung art, every time
The four-step trick we use to land the hook in exactly the right spot - no second holes, no guesswork.
Tip 01
Hold the frame against the wall at the height you want it, then pencil a small mark on the wall at the centre of the very top of the frame.
Tip 02
Bring the piece back to the floor and flip it. Measure the distance from the hanging string at tension to the top of the frame.
Tip 03
Back at the wall, measure down from your pencil mark by that exact distance and mark an X. That's precisely where your hook or screw goes.
Tip 04
Fix your hook at the X, hang your piece - and it lands level and centred, first try. Stand back and enjoy.
Honest answers
The questions we get most
Real questions from real customers, answered by our norsu styling team. If yours isn't here, our Virtual Styling Service has you covered.
How many prints make a gallery wall?
Choose at least three pieces to get that clustered, collected look. Beyond that, let the wall and your mix decide - an odd number often feels the most natural, but there's no hard rule. The thread running through them matters far more than the count.
Should I match my frames?
You don't have to - mixing frame colours and finishes is exactly what gives a wall its character. If you'd prefer cohesion, pick one finish and repeat it. Our norsu Studio frames are designed to mix freely across a single wall.
Can I add things other than prints?
Absolutely - and we'd encourage it. A mounted object like a skate deck, a pennant or a treasured keepsake adds depth and interest, and can even become the starting point for the whole palette.
Framed or unframed?
If you want it ready to hang, choose framed. If you're matching existing frames or building a wall over time, unframed prints give you the most flexibility and ship more affordably - just add your own frame to suit the room.
How high should I hang my art?
Centre the wall around 1.5m from the floor - average eye level - so it sits right in any room. Our step-by-step guide above covers the exact measuring trick to land every hook first try.
What if I'm still overwhelmed?
That's what our norsu styling team is for. Our Virtual Styling Service takes the guesswork off your hands - send us your space and we'll come back with a styled, shoppable plan for your wall.
norsu Studio | Frames
Frame your favourite moments
The frame is half the gallery wall. Our norsu Studio Acrylic Box Gallery Frames hold your art in a clean, dimensional acrylic box - and come in three colourways made to mix.
Unlike a flat print pinned behind glass, the acrylic box frame floats your artwork forward, catching the light and adding real depth to a cluster - the kind of detail that lifts a gallery wall from nice to considered.
Because the three colourways share one tonal family, you can mix them freely across a single wall - a merlot here, a sage there - and the wall still reads as one collected piece. Pair them with our classic timber and metal frames to vary it further.
Virtual Styling Service
Let us style your wall, virtually.
Have an idea but not sure where to start? Choose your package, send us a few photos and answer a handful of simple questions - then our styling team sends back a visual mock-up of your wall, perfectly arranged and ready to shop.
From $79 | Virtual Styling Service - Art
Book the virtual service
norsu Art & Frames
Build your gallery wall
From affordable prints to limited-edition fine art and frames in every finish - explore the full collection and start gathering your mix.
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Posted on June 11 2026