Bobby Berk says this frame mistake is impacting the look of your gallery wall – here's what he recommends for simpler, cohesive results
'A gallery wall should tell a story, not feel like clutter': The designer's advice has changed how we decorate our walls – and it's so easy to follow his teaching
Gallery walls have a habit of looking effortless, but the most beautiful creations are the result of meticulous planning, most specifically regarding frame placement. Nobody understands this quite like Bobby Berk, the Queer Eye alumni, who has partnered with Frameology to design six gallery wall sets (and 12 unique frames), aka the ticket to your dream gallery wall.
Naturally, therefore, styling frames (or, in this case, how not to style frames) is currently at the peak of Berk's agenda. The first thing to avoid? Hanging everything too high.
'So many people think their art needs to sit way above eye level, and suddenly, you’re craning your neck just to enjoy it,' Berk says in an exclusive interview with H&G.
'Here’s the thing: Art is meant to connect with you – and that connection happens when it’s at eye level or just a little above. The sweet spot for most gallery walls is about 57-60 inches from the floor to the center of the arrangement.'
Ensuring your gallery wall doesn't look too high is the first step to creating a beautiful wall feature, but as Berk suggests, cohesion is also vital.
'Keep it cohesive, not matchy-matchy. What makes a gallery wall work is a sense of harmony – whether it’s through color tones, frame styles, or a shared theme in the art. It doesn’t mean every piece has to look the same, but they need to feel like they belong together, like old friends at a party – because a gallery wall should tell a story, not feel like clutter,' he comments.
'When there’s too much contrast or no unifying element, it gets overwhelming and distracts from the beauty of the pieces you’re trying to highlight. My gallery collections from Frameology make it easy to create an easy focal point that perfectly works together. Just pick your collection, add your art, and voila!' You can shop three of our favorite frames, designed by Bobby Berk, below.
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Featuring museum grade acrylic and a white cotton conservation mat, this black frame may be simple, but it's a classic.
Plus, while it's easy a series of frames adorning the staircase of a grand entryway or open-plan living room, Berk suggests it's just as possible to bring the look into a smaller home. We just need to be more strategic.
'When space is tight, the key is to think vertically and be intentional. A gallery wall doesn’t have to take up an entire room – you can introduce it in creative ways,' he says.
'Try a narrow section of a hallway, above a desk, or even going up a staircase. These areas are perfect for a curated collection of smaller pieces that don’t overwhelm the room but still make an impact.'
Megan is the Head of Celebrity Style News at Homes & Gardens. She first joined Future Plc as a News Writer across their interiors titles, including Livingetc and Real Homes, before becoming H&G's News Editor in April 2022. She now leads the Celebrity/ News team. Before joining Future, Megan worked as a News Explainer at The Telegraph, following her MA in International Journalism at the University of Leeds. During her BA in English Literature and Creative Writing, she gained writing experience in the US while studying in New York. Megan also focused on travel writing during her time living in Paris, where she produced content for a French travel site. She currently lives in London with her antique typewriter and an expansive collection of houseplants.
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