How We Created a Hallway Gallery Wall with Frames

We recently turned our plain hallway into a family-focused gallery wall by “wallpapering” it with frames. The result adds instant dimension and personality: it displays Clara’s drawings, class photos, vacation shots and other small treasures that everyone can enjoy. It’s an easy way to make a high-traffic passage feel like a destination instead of just a route from A to B.

Our starting point was a simple, low-tech template method. I cut newspaper templates sized to match each frame we owned and taped them to the wall to map out the arrangement. We used a few larger frames near the center to anchor the composition, then arranged most of the smaller frames around the perimeter to balance the overall shape. We stepped back repeatedly, adjusted placement, and made small tweaks until everything felt right. We still slept on it and looked again the next morning before we started hammering.

After the layout felt solid on the wall, we spread the actual frames on the dining room floor in the same configuration to double-check that frame styles and finishes worked together. Because most of the artwork would change anyway, we mostly ignored the contents during this step and focused on scale and proportion.

Hanging the frames was surprisingly straightforward thanks to the paper templates. For each frame we measured the distance from the top edge to the hanging point (wire, hook, or D-ring), marked a centered “x” on the corresponding template, and hammered a nail through that mark. The horizontal center line on the template helped keep each frame aligned, while the “x” showed exactly where the nail needed to go so the frame would hang in the right spot.

After hammering through each template and removing the paper, a single nail remained, perfectly positioned to support each frame. The whole hanging process took about an hour and felt very efficient.

We did consider non-damaging options, like 3M Command hooks and Velcro, but our old plaster walls don’t hold those reliably. For the lower frames that Clara might reach once she’s toddling, we plan to add heavy-duty Command Velcro for extra safety. Clara is gentle for the most part, and we’ll teach her to “look with her eyes” or to touch with just one finger if needed. If any low frames become too much trouble or a potential safety risk, we’ll remove them until she’s older—Clara comes first.

Once all the frames were up we realized the top-right corner looked denser than the rest of the wall, which we liked, so we adjusted a few frames on the left and added smaller filler pieces to create an even, cohesive look across the whole gallery. Yes, we probably made about ten extra holes while fine-tuning placement, but they’re hidden behind frames and out of sight.

Next came the scavenger hunt through the house to find things to display. Many frames were empty or needed re-orienting, so we filled them with a mix of family photos, photobooth strips, vintage bits, advertising ephemera, and Clara’s artwork. Almost everything you see on the wall was already owned, so the entire project was essentially free, except for a single $16 frame we picked up because it stores and swaps children’s drawings easily without removing it from the wall—perfect for rotating Clara’s newest creations.

Pieces range from a vintage milk cap glued on a small canvas to a whimsical ad that features an alpaca or llama, photostrips, and a simple paper key I cut from card stock that I hope to replace with a ceramic-style DIY at some point. The eclectic mix—family photos, kids’ artwork, small objects and oddities—gives the wall a personal, lived-in feel.

We plan to rotate a good portion of the wall regularly—new Clara art, updated family photos, small keepsakes like a standout fortune cookie strip or an invitation that means something to us. Photographing the wall every few months will be a fun way to track how it evolves over time. At least 25% of the gallery will likely change as new favorites appear.

Ultimately, this gallery wall transformed a simple hallway into the most personal and fun display spot in the house. We find ourselves lingering there, studying the collection, and smiling—Clara included. We liked it so much that we’re planning to “wallpaper” the remaining walls in the hallway with frames too.

If you want to make your own hallway gallery wall, try these quick tips: use paper templates to plan layout without committing to holes, anchor the composition with a couple of larger frames, measure the hanging points so frames sit exactly where you want, and embrace small filler pieces to balance the look. Start with what you already own—family photos and kids’ drawings make the most meaningful and budget-friendly gallery art.

Psst — we announced this week’s giveaway winners. Check our site to see if you’re one of them.