Wall art makes a space feel complete, and choosing the wrong pieces can have a serious impact on a room’s aesthetic. Displaying art that’s too big can completely overpower a space, while basic designs can make a house look cheap and outdated. As for arranging your gallery wall, certain techniques lack depth and personality.
When it comes to decorating with art, it’s easy to make mistakes and it can be a challenge to find the right pieces to showcase your style. That’s why we spoke with Bilal Rehman, interior designer and founder of Bilal Rehman Studio, to get his advice on how to find unique art and display it in a visually appealing way, all while avoiding these major design no-nos.
Failing to find meaningful art
“The number one mistake people make is not taking the time to properly find a piece that speaks to them and represents something for them,” says Rehman. Beautiful artwork is more than just decor. You should feel a connection to every piece, whether it’s how you acquired it, a love for the artist or a personal story that relates to the art.
“A lot of people feel like artwork is just wall filler or a way to fill negative space. In reality, it’s supposed to serve a purpose within your space, and if it’s not serving that purpose, then essentially, it’s just junk,” adds Rehman.
Buying art at big-box stores
“This is my one rule — NEVER buy art at big-box stores,” says Rehman. Big-box stores sell mass-produced prints, which means thousands of homeowners will end up with the same art.
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to spend a lot of money to find great art. Source art from vintage stores, small boutiques and local artists. Look for an artist on Etsy, where you can download unique prints for only a few dollars. “You can even try making something yourself,” says Rehman. “Between a canvas and the materials, you’ll spend $100 — but it’s worth it, because the art will speak to you.”
Overlooking proportions
When art is the wrong proportion, it feels odd in a space. When settling on the right dimensions for your art, account for the size of the wall (including ceiling height) and your furniture. Art tends to look awkward when it isn’t small or large enough — it’s just stuck in the middle. “If you go with something that’s intentionally small (think 20″ x 20″ or smaller) it can be a beautiful little gem on your wall. It’s okay to showcase all the negative space, because you’re trying to draw attention to the art.”
When selecting art, it’s important to consider your desired effect. “If you prefer a more artsy, asymmetrical look, then the way you look at the size of artwork will be completely different than if you’re trying to cover up an entire wall with a big statement piece,” says Rehman. To achieve an artsy style, the size matters less — instead, the focus should be on whether it’s unique. If you’re trying to decorate your wall with large-scale art, Rehman suggests the piece covers at least 50 percent of the wall.
Making your gallery wall too perfect
A common mistake people make when arranging a gallery wall is using the same size frames. “It’s really, really hard to create an impact when everything is the same size,” says Rehman, who notes certain pieces should stand out, while others fade into the background. “A gallery wall should be a beautiful place to showcase different mediums, because that’s what will bring interest and depth.”
As for spacing, frames and wall decor shouldn’t be arranged perfectly. Hang one piece two inches away, while others are three to six inches away from one another. “That imperfection is what allows us to showcase the pieces in different ways. You want a sense of exploration with a gallery wall. You don’t want to see the whole thing at one time — you want to work your way through the pieces to notice the details. If you have all black-and-white prints in the same exact frame, there’s no sense of exploration.”
Using the same finish for frames
Another way to design a gallery wall or photo display that looks too perfect: All of your frames look the same. “Mixing metals creates a much more timeless look,” says Rehman. “If all of your frames are gold, gold might go out of trend in six months and all of a sudden, your wall is outdated. If your wall has gold, silver, black, brown and bronze all mixed together, you get a timeless took — then, it doesn’t really matter what’s trending.”
Only hanging framed artwork
For depth and dimension, weave in unique pieces into your wall decor — think mirrors, ceramic plates, woven baskets and antique sculptures. Often with a gallery wall, people are afraid to mix mediums and beyond that, they’re hesitant to include decor that isn’t art. The easiest way? Rehman suggests bringing in a mirror. “Don’t overlook mirrors when doing a gallery wall — throwing one in there could add so much visual interest and really be that cherry on top.”
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
