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How to create a vintage-inspired gallery wall

It can feel intimidating to create a vintage-inspired gallery wall, but with these tips and tricks, you’ll be ready to add one to your space.

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How to create a vintage-inspired gallery wall

What you’ll need to create a vintage-inspired gallery wall

  • frames of all sizes and finishes
  • any other wall trinkets you find and want to display
  • pen
  • scissors
  • craft paper or wrapping paper
  • blue painter’s tape
  • picture hanging kit
  • hammer

Vintage-inspired gallery wall tips and tricks

Use thrifted and collected frames

Picture frames are one of my favorite things to thrift and find at yard sales! I look for various sizes and finishes. If you can find vintage gold frames, I suggest always picking them up.

If you find items like small mirrors, old maps, cross stitch pieces, or even wall vases, grab them and consider adding to your gallery wall. The more interesting the piece, the better.

Use the public domain for free art

The public domain is one of the best resources for affordable art! It does take some time to sort through and find what you are looking for, so if you don’t want to spend that time, you can grab my digital art collection HERE. I have a handful of pieces I have found over the years that I am giving you for free.

Check out this blog post where I share my favorite way to find free printable art.

Get access to  my free digital art collection
I’ll send you my free digital art collection. You can download as many as you want and send them off to be printed! Enjoy
You got it! Check your inbox for an email from me!

Create a template of each frame to tape on your wall

This is probably the best tip I have! I used this template method for the first time with this project and it made the process much easier than I am used to.

Trace the outline of each frame on craft paper or old wrapping paper and cut it out. Then, use blue painter’s tape to stick the template to the wall. This makes it easy to move pieces around and adjust spacing as needed.

Frames always look different on a wall than when you are finding a layout on the floor.

Don’t be afraid to customize your frames

If you have been around for any length of time here at The Simple Cozy Haven, then you know I am not afraid to change the look of something! From adding drywall mud for texture to spray paint and rub-n-buff, I love to customize things that I find to work in my home.

There are so many great options to switch up the look of your frames.

My favorite rub-n-buff color is European Gold. It is the perfect muted gold tone, and I have used it on many projects.

You can’t go wrong with a can of black spray paint, either.

Make pieces work for your space! If you find that most of your frames are all dark wood or black, make them gold and vice versa!

Don’t be afraid to make a mistake

We can often get caught up in wanting a space to look perfect, even on the first try. Even using the template method, I have a few frames that I am thinking about moving around once I find some new pieces to add to my gallery wall.

Don’t be afraid to make a mistake and change your mind in a few days or weeks. There is nothing that some spackle and a dab of paint can’t fix.

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