Gallery Wall DIY

We moved into our home about six months ago, and I just hung our first personal photo on the wall!

I have been on the hunt for months for the perfect frames for my gallery wall. I went back and forth on what exactly I wanted, and how much I was willing to spend. I considered using white frames, or gold frames, but because we found a black mirror for the end of this hallway, I finally settled on black. I kept my options open on what size frame I would get, dependent on what I could afford, but what I really wanted was 11x14 frames, matted to a 8x10 photo. I searched everywhere to find what I wanted and could afford. I stalked Home Goods, TJMaxx, and Tuesday Morning. However, I could never find enough of the right size frame. I started looking online, searching Michael's, Amazon, and more. I finally stumbled upon the perfect frames! It was a bear to put together, but now that they are up, I am totally in love with the look. They complete the hallway, and make our house feel more like a home! Here is what I needed for this project:

- 9 frames (I purchased these off of Amazon)

- 9 photos (I ordered these prints that my mom took through Pic-Time)

- Stepstool

- Painters Tape

- Flathead Screwdriver (In case you have to pry out one of the hooks)

- Level

- Scissors

- Pen

- Ruler

- Tape Measure

After opening up my frames, I first laid them face down on the ground so that I could decide how I wanted to space them. I decided to place 2" apart on all sides.

I didn't grab a photo of it, but I worked in sections - doing 3 vertical frames at a time. Once I had them spaced the proper amount, I took a piece of a tape and ran it from exactly at the top of the top frame, to the bottom of the bottom frame, making sure it was taut. This was a little tricky, but I knew if I got it right, it would make hanging the frames SO much easier. I then used a pen to puncture a hole in the tape where the hangers were on the frames. After making holes in all three frames, I used the level to place the tape on the wall. I then marked the holes with a pen, and removed the tape from the wall. The frames come with these really neat hangers, and because the frames aren't heavy, and because these hangers are so secure, I didn't feel the need to use drywall anchors.

I put the bottom of the hook where I marked the spot on the wall. I then continued these same steps for the other two rows of frames. I found it to be easier to do one row at a time, checking my measurements as I went.

A couple of times my measurements got off, but I was able to quickly pry out the hanger, and reattach it to the wall at the correct spot.

After I had all of the frames placed where I wanted, I laid out my pictures on the floor to determine the order I wanted them hung.

I then pulled the frames off of the wall, one-by-one. Each frame comes packaged in bubble wrap, with corner protectors on, and wrapped in plastic wrap. There is then an additional cover on front and back of the plastic on each frame. I peeled these off, added the photos in to the frames, and then used painters tape to hold my pictures in place.

In order to keep the frames from tilting, and to keep them all looking very uniform, I rolled a piece of painters tape over on itself and put it on the back right, bottom corner of each frame. I made sure each frame was straight and then pushed the tape into the wall.

I am SO happy with how it turned out! These frames are the cheapest, and best looking I was able to find. They are under $6 a frame, and are the only set I found that come with hangers. They look amazing - I would definitely recommend!

- Kailey