Some say gallery walls are going out of style in favor of larger-scale artwork. Maybe that’s true for crowded walls of tiny frames, but a thoughtful collection of frames remains a classic choice. One place I love to use a gallery wall today is around a TV. That black rectangle can dominate a wall, so surrounding it with framed pieces softens and balances the display. The TV doesn’t vanish, but the eye has other attractive elements to rest on—especially when you switch it to a nature documentary.
We first shared our approach to framing around the living room television years ago, and while the room has changed a lot since then—paint colors, furniture, and a few frame swaps—the concept has held up. Because many readers ask about arrangement, what to frame, how to hang pieces, and where to source art, here’s a clear, practical guide to creating a gallery wall around your TV.
Readying Your TV for a Gallery Wall
If possible, mount your TV and hide the cords. A wall-mounted set creates a cleaner backdrop for a frame gallery, and an in-wall or concealed cord solution is worth the time. That said, you don’t have to mount the TV to achieve this look—resting it on a media cabinet also works. Mounting tends to make the room feel more open, but either approach can be styled with frames. Secondhand dressers make excellent, budget-friendly TV cabinets if you prefer the non-mounted look.
Arranging and Hanging Your Picture Frames
There are several reliable methods for arranging frames around a TV. Choose the one that fits your confidence level and the size of your grouping.
Method 1 — Arrange on the Floor
Lay your frames on the floor, leaving a blank rectangle where the TV will sit. Move them around until the layout feels balanced. This low-tech approach helps you experiment with grouping, scale, and spacing without committing to holes in the wall.
Method 2 — Paper Templates
Cut paper or paper bag pieces to match each frame’s dimensions and tape them to the wall with painter’s tape. Move the paper templates until you find a layout you love, then swap in the real frames. This lets you visualize proportions and spacing directly on the wall before you hang anything.
Method 3 — One Big Paper Template
Combine the floor layout with a single large sheet of craft paper. Arrange frames on the paper, trace each frame and mark hanging points, then transfer the paper template to the wall. This is handy for compact groupings and when you want one cohesive template to guide placement.
Method 4 — Adjust as You Go
If you prefer a more spontaneous approach, hang pieces progressively. Start by centering and spacing the frames above the TV, then build outward. This keeps the composition balanced and lets you make small adjustments without overthinking every step. Don’t worry about a few holes—you can patch and touch up later.
How to Tie Frame Groupings Together
Mixing different frame styles and art types works beautifully when the group reads as a cohesive whole. Three simple unifying elements make a gallery feel intentional:
- Mats: White mats across several frames create visual continuity and make diverse pieces look related.
- Color palette: Repeating tones—greens, blues, pinks, or lots of white space—helps disparate works harmonize. Even small decorative objects that echo the palette will tie the collection together.
- Consistent spacing: Aim for roughly 2–3 inches between frames. Too wide and the grouping reads as disconnected; too narrow and it can feel crowded. Treat the TV like another frame and maintain similar spacing around it, checking the view from the main seating area.
What to Frame in Your Gallery
Don’t feel obligated to use only one type of art. An eclectic mix—family photos, small original paintings, postcards, botanical photos, and a few sculptural objects—can be charming and personal. Here’s a sample of items that work well together and create balance in a mixed gallery:
- Family photos with consistent mats for continuity.
- Decorative objects painted or finished to match the palette, such as faux antlers or a decorative shell.
- Small original paintings or prints from independent artists to add unique color and texture.
- Postcards, book pages, and photographed botanicals for inexpensive, frameable finds.
- A small map or cork-backed piece for a textured, interactive detail.
A few practical tips: inexpensive, attractive frames (including gold and wood finishes) are widely available at big-box retailers and thrift stores. Swapping mats between frames can instantly refresh the look. And remember: personal items make a wall feel like yours—don’t be afraid to frame a postcard, a page from a favorite book, or a quick original piece you made.
For demonstration, short videos showing how we source art and how we hang frames can be helpful—search for brief clips titled about finding easy art and hanging frames quickly to see these techniques in action. If you’re nervous about making permanent holes, start with templates or paper and proceed slowly. Moving a frame a few inches is easily fixed and often worth the small effort.
If your TV sits above a low media cabinet and you’re left with a large blank wall, a gallery can fill that space affordably and quickly. Whether you pursue a tightly gridded arrangement or an eclectic mix, the key is to start—test layouts on the floor or with paper templates, keep spacing consistent, repeat a palette, and make the wall feel personal. Happy hanging!
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