How To Create a Layered Mirror Gallery Wall

If you enjoy decorating your home, I am sure you have seen gallery walls in interior decorating magazines, on Instagram and Pinterest. Where a collection of framed art, photos or mirrors in varying sizes are grouped on a wall in a variety of ways to create decorative interest to a room or space.

In this DIY home decor post, I have created a twist on a classic gallery wall by layering framed mirrors, each in a different frame style. It creates even more of a dramatic effect on a wall.

Creating a layered gallery wall in your home is inexpensive and easy – a wall decor project that you can get done with a little planning and a free afternoon.

It is created using wood blocks that you can easily make with scrap wood. When these blocks are attached to a wall it makes the framed mirrors or framed art or photos come out from the wall.

Finished project of a mirror gallery wall
Layered mirror gallery wall done with a thrifted mirror collection

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I didn’t use specially made gallery wall mirrors, instead I used inexpensive framed mirrors on the wall space above the dresser in my guest room that sits across from a large window.

The mirror reflections bring in bright and natural light into the room as well as let my guests see themselves when needed.

A gallery wall using unique mirrors can be created on a full wall or even at eye level above a sofa or console table. Creating one in a hallway, along a staircase or in an entryway will add a touch of visual interest on a blank wall.

mirror gallery wall over repurposed dresser

After creating the layered mirror gallery wall, I gave the brown dresser under it a new look.  You can find out how I did this in How to Update a Hand-Me-Down Dresser.

How to Choose Mirrors for a Gallery Wall

I had a few mirror frames sitting down in my basement and I got the smaller ones at the thrift store.  I even found a few at the dollar stores that added to my group of decorative mirrors.

Mix a thick golden frame with smaller modern black and white frames or consider using vintage mirrors to create an unexpected statement. Or use all antique mirrors or similar mirrors in one color to fit the color scheme or interior design of the room to create your mirror wall.

Time needed: 4 hours

This gallery wall of mirrors is not hard to create. Follow these steps to create your own mirror gallery wall in your home.

supplies needed:

  1. Gather a Collection of Mirrors


    Figure out how much space on the wall you want to cover.

    When creating layered mirror gallery walls, gather a curated collection of enough mirrors to cover this space. Lay them on a floor or work surface to figure out the placement for the grouping. You may need to add or remove one or two frames to get the best fit.

    arrangement of mirrors for mirror gallery wall

  2.  How to Arrange a Mirror Gallery Wall


    Trace each mirror on newspaper or brown kraft paper to make a template for each frame. Number each tracing and frame so you know what frame goes with each tracing,. Cut each tracing out.

    Use painter’s tape to attach the tracings to the wall in a layout you like where some of the smaller frames will be layered on top of the larger frames.

    template for mirror gallery wall

  3. How to Hang The Frames in Layers


    To create the layered effect for the framed mirrors, you need to create two layers.  The first layer of frames are mounted the usual way right on the wall.

    The next layer of frames will be mounted on wood blocks.  To make these blocks, I used some scrap wood and cut it into blocks, each about 2″ x 2″.

    NOTE: The blocks need to be as thick as your frames so when you place a frame on a block it lays above or level with the wall mounted frames.

    blocks to be used for hanging a mirror gallery wall

  4. Paint the Sides of Blocks


    To keep the mirror galley wall looking nice and neat, paint the sides of each block the same color as the wall.  Since the wall I created my gallery on is next to the entrance door to the room, I wanted the blocks to blend in as you might see them from a side view.

    blocks to be used for hanging a mirror gallery wall

  5. Attach Blocks to Wall


    Drill a hole in the center of each block so you can screw the blocks onto the wall.

    The block becomes the wall for the frames that are going to be raised away from the wall to create the layered effect.  I added a nail and hung a framed mirror on it.

    block used for a mirror galley wall

    block with nail to easily hang mirrors

  6. Place the Largest Mirrors First


    Start by hanging the largest mirrors on the wall first and then work to each side. Next place the second layer of mirrors on the blocks.

    Process of hanging mirrors on wall

  7. Tips for Hanging the Mirrors on the Blocks


    When it comes to hanging overlapping frames to create the gallery wall, the trick lies with the placing of the blocks:  The frames on blocks have to be centered on a block as this is where the hangers are on the back of each frame.

    Line the top of the block up with the top center of the frame where the hanger is.

    Note that some hangers on the back of frames are right on top, others are lower. Keep this in mind when placing the blocks on the wall. You should not see the block when the frame is hanging.

    tip for hanging a mirror gallery wall

  8. Create Two Layers or More


    I only created two layers for my mirror gallery wall, but you could add a 3rd level by using thicker blocks that will hold frames on top of ones already on thinner blocks.

    mirror gallery wall that is layered tutorial

Finished project of a mirror gallery wall
closer look at a mirror gallery wall

Closer view of the layer effect of the mirrors.

More Mirror Hanging Tips:

In case you need some help hanging heavy mirrors or frames on your walls, here are the easiest ways I have found to hang them.

Empty-Frame-gallery-wall

If you don’t have mirrors, you can also create a layered gallery wall of empty frames for an eclectic look. Learn how to do this:

Photo of layered mirror gallery wall

MORE GALLERY WALL IDEAS:

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120 Comments

  1. Debbie T. says:

    Hello. I really love this design. I want to do the same for my daughters dining area but more mid-century modern in design. I have 3 mirrors with 1/2″ modern flat frames. I’m antiquing them brass.
    2 are 14″×50″, 1 is 23″×34″. I want to float one of the 14″×50″ over the 23″× 34″ mirror and float the 23″×34″ over the 2nd long mirror with the long mirrors laid out in a in a stair step pattern. Would I need to screw in a 2″ block for the 1st long mirror, and 1″ block for the shorter mirror since it will be under the 1st mirror and float over the 2nd long mirror?

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Debbie – I am trying to visualize your plan. If the first mirror placed on the wall is going to be the 23″ x 34″ mirror and you want to place one on top and the other underneath it. You will need to add blocks under the it. Place the one under it with no blocks. And then then the other 14 x 50 on blocks attached to the 23 x 34 frame or you could stack two blocks on top of each other for the clearance needed to mount the second 14 x 50 over the 23 x 34. I hope tI am visualizing it correctly and this makes sense.

  2. Cheryl Atkinson says:

    Hi Diane! I have followed you for a while but I seldon leave a reply. I’m always in a hurry. This wall is so cool. I love it! Thank you for the inspiration!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Cheryl – Thanks for following my blog and saying hi! :-)

  3. That is so cool looking. I must be living under a rock, I have never seen this before! You did a great job explaining how to create this.

  4. John Condon says:

    Can you direct me to your tutorial on chalk painting? Seems I remember you doing it on a ceramic lamp. But I would also be interested doing it on stained furniture.

  5. Really looks great… You have arranged everything perfectly. Nice post.

  6. Jaye M Brown says:

    Love the 3-D mirror wall. You are genius. Love all you do!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      You are the best!!! XO So happy we got to hang out together. Looking forward to doing it again.

  7. Space Interface says:

    “I was going through your blogs about the different architecture firms in Delhi and found my future home designer in the process. Also, great job presenting architecture in such an interesting manner!”

  8. Liza Hawkins says:

    Hello Diane

    Wow, that looks so cute. Article, flowers, and arrangements everything is perfect and useful.

  9. I love this idea!! I was wondering how you added the dimensionality! The wood blocks is totally genius!b

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thanks Anika. I got the idea after not wanting to pay $16 a piece for mounts that Pottery Barn sells to do the same thing. :-)

  10. What a great idea Diane, I have concrete brick behind my house plaster walls and really hard to get picutre hooks into but I can do something similar in my sewing room. Not sure which century I will get all these things done ! – one drawback to being single.:)

  11. Pam Fulford says:

    I love it..so so creative..Thats what I love about your post..you never know what your going to pull out of your hat. It usually doesn’t cost much if anything..Your the BOMB!!!Your always exploding with ideas..Thanks Diane for sharing that unique knowledge you have..

  12. Tina Gleisner says:

    Love how you walked us through the steps with great photos & simple descriptions that anyone can follow. Also appreciate that I can share one photo with attribution (post almost done)

  13. Wow….love this. You have inspired me and are a very good teacher.
    Thank You!!

  14. betsy justis says:

    I love your real ideas!! Your tutorials our great – thanks for sharing and your inspirations.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Thank you so much Betsy XO I love creating and sharing ideas with everyone. It is what I think I was put on this earth to do. :)

  15. You are amazing! Your tutorial and pictures are down to the detail and make it actually do-able for us novice DIYers! Thanks!!

  16. Wowee. Glad I stumbled on this post. Awesome idea and brilliantly executed. I’ve got a hallway that needs some life- even one big mirror would be too plain. I’m on it! Thanks so much.

  17. tkoblondee says:

    I know this is an older post but I still have to comment!! You are amazing!! I have so many bookmarked blogs that I need to “un-bookmark” and just come straight to yours! Where have you been all of my life? Darn I’m going to be up all night…I have things to do tomorrow!

  18. You are far too clever! That looks so lovely!

  19. Born2Shop says:

    I love love love this. Its really come out excellent. Once again i admire the color combinations. They are so classy and rich.

    I need to paint my white walls. Hey would u pls share the wall color u have?

    1. The color on the wall where the 3D gallery wall is hanging is a mix of paint. I only had a half a can of each color and wanted to use them up. I poured half a can of white paint into half a can of Ben Moore Shelburne Buff HC-28 and mixed well. If you ask for Shelburne Buff at 50% you will be close to the color. On the same color strip with Shelburne Buff is Dunmore Cream HC-29. It is almost exact to what the color ended up like.

  20. What a great idea. I tried to hang some pictures, in a similar fashion, at my son’s house. The result was not as neat or polished as yours. Now I know how to fix my mistakes. Thank you so much!

  21. Wow i love it so simple but so effective!! I have been thinking of ways to display my photos for a long time! Thankyou this is fantastic!! You are a genius xxx

  22. Your mirror display is just gorgeous! Thank you so much for the detailed, well thought out, tutorial. Now I’ve just gotta find some free wall space… oh, and some mirrors :) [Found this post via Positively Splendid.]

  23. ideas and inspiration community says:

    Was this inspired by the movie Inception? Its very chic! Soo nice!

    1. Thanks Rachel – I did it on my wall and am currently doing it for a client using all silver frames.

  24. Jess, Chic Technique says:

    wow this is fantastic! Good job!

  25. i found something like this at anthropologie for around too much money and wanted to make it myself. here you are making it beautiful for probably a lot less than too much money and now i’m super inspired.

    i DO need a new headboard. . . .

    love your site!

  26. NICE JOB! And you didn’t have to spend a ton for the spacers at Pottery Barn to do it. I love that you did it all with mirrors, too. It makes the reflections really interesting. I may have to copy.

    1. Hi Karen

      Thanks. I didn’t even know those spacers existed, but I have since found out — pretty pricey too. Please copy – that is why we share all of our ideas on blogs – to help and inspire each other to make the most of our homes.

  27. Ingenious! I’ve never seen this before. What a great (and easy) technique. Love it!

  28. Glenda Childers says:

    Just popping over from The Inspired Room. It is great to see your gallery wall. Mine is #10.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Gg – Notes on the Journey

    ps. Your mirror wall is stunning. Love the 3D and thanks for the great tutorial.

  29. CLEVER, CLEVER girl!! SOOOOOO fun! Love your mirrored look and the inspirational photo too! Just may have to imitate! Thanks!

  30. Andrea S. says:

    So cool! I love this take on the gallery wall.

  31. This is truly fabulous. One of the best projects I have seen. Truly love it!!!

    1. Hi Erin-

      Thanks so much. I have my client, Neve to thank for it as she showed me a photo from Philadelphia Magazine and asked me to figure out how to do it so she could do it in her bedroom. Thanks for connecting with me.

  32. Very creative! Love how each mirror reflects one small part of the room.

  33. Jenna, SAS Interiors says:

    Hi Diana-
    Thanks again so much for linking your awesome project up to Saturday Spotlight last week ~ you were our TOP feature pick! I got your message that you already grabbed the “I’ve been featured” button. Congrats on a great project!!

    ~Jenna, SAS Interiors
    http://www.sasinteriors.net

  34. Jenn (GreenDoorGirl) says:

    FYI – we featured this on Saturday Spotlight – be sure to grab your button! :)

    greendoordesigns.blogspot.com

  35. Aimee Steckowski says:

    lovely…. lovely… oh my… i have ALWAYS wanted to do this and now i know how – adding to my favorite link of “things to try” in our new home! thank you!

  36. Jenn (GreenDoorGirl) says:

    I love this – I had wanted to do a layered effect on a wall and I never could figure it out, so using the blocks is AWESOME!
    Thanks so much for linking up with Saturday Spotlight!

  37. Jenna, SAS Interiors says:

    I’m certainly loving this project…how creative! I am SOOOO glad you linked this up to Saturday Spotlight! My new favorite are photo montages, and this is perfect!
    Check back on Saturday to see the featured projects and I can’t wait to see more of your link ups!

    ~Jenna, SAS Interiors
    http://www.sasinteriors.net

  38. Jen@GarageSaleDiaries says:

    I LOVE this! I was just getting ready to plan a wall of photos and was wondering just what I was going to do. I have to try this!!!
    Thank you! (I just found you from Thrifty Decor Chick’s FB link)
    Great ideas! Now I am a new follower!!

  39. This is brilliant! I love the impact of it and it’s so much more powerful with the mirrors!

  40. Sarah @ Thrifty Decor Chick says:

    Diane, this is SO awesome! The blocks of wood are brilliant!! I just linked to this from my Facebook page.

  41. Wonderfully Domestic says:

    What a fantastic idea! I’ve got a big gallery wall planned and might just have to do something similar.

    I just found your blog and you’ve got yourself a new follower :)

  42. AHHH! I LOVE THIS!! Ok, i just found your blog today but its officially going under my “view everyday” tab… love this!

  43. Thank you for those instructions.. It looks fantastic. I am a new follower.. your blog is great… Love to have you stop by mine.. could sure use your advice this week.. great to find people who can teach and have such a great eye.

  44. This is such a great idea! I LOVE mirrors and this is such a cool way to display them. I’m adding this to my “tutorials to do” list!

    Anna
    http://www.askannamoseley.com

  45. I love it! They sell some brackets in Pottery Barn for $19 each that are for the same thing. Since that is out of my price range I have been bugging my husband to weld some for me but this will be MUCH easier! He may be as excited as I am. Thanks for posting!
    Misty

  46. Elle {SWITCHEROOm} says:

    Really genius! I’ve been in love with frame gallery walls and this just takes it to a new level. I must try this somewhere in our house!

  47. Rachelle @ Fingerprints on the Fridge says:

    Girlfriend, that’s freakin’ fantastic. Brilllllliant.

    Loves.

    xo

  48. Michelle @ Faith, Trust, and a Little Pixie Dust says:

    Very cool & so smart! Thanks for sharing this great idea.

    Warmly, Michelle

  49. Love it. Great idea and great instructions. Thanks.

  50. Funky Junk Interiors says:

    Diane, this is gorgeous! I adore the 3D effect, that is so cool. And your tutorial was brilliant. How can your client be anything but thrilled when you put this on her wall! LOVE it.

    I’ve featured you on SNS #70’s sidebar this weekend. Thanks for linking up!

    Donna
    http://funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com/

  51. kathy valadez says:

    This may cause me to end my dislike of mirrors, this is truly gorgeous!!

  52. Coming over from fingerprints on the fridge linking party….great eclectic look, I love it! I also love the layered mirror look that you did with the dresser mirror.

  53. Marty@A Stroll thru Life says:

    Love it. What a super idea. Your frames are all gorgeous. Great tutorial also. Hugs, Marty

  54. This looks fabulous! What a fun idea to use the mirrors. You are a genius because you used the blocks to add the dimension! Fabulous! I love your blog and all of your ideas! Thanks for posting and keeping up the great work. I love stopping by and just drooling!! have a fantastic weekend!!

  55. Kate @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating says:

    Love this! I’m featuring you on my Flaunt it Friday Features later today. Please stop by and grab a “i was featured” button if you’d like. Thanks for linking up!

  56. hi Diane! popping in to welcome you to the circle of bliss! apologies it took me so long to get over here.. circle is growing so quickly now!
    really great tutorial!
    blessings, -tracie

  57. LOVE this!! I’m so going to try this idea. The wall looks fantastic!

  58. Nancy Wyant-Barr says:

    LOVE your idea!!!!!

    Nancy

  59. Very cool!! Saw this done in the PB catalog, but such a great idea using the wood instead of buying the special hangers. Might have to steal your idea! :)

  60. I love the way you did this, it looks great! The layering technique is clever and smart, and I’m gonna have to copy you. I love the great textural interest of the different frames and mirrors. Excellent project!

  61. I love it! I was going to do a more boring gallery wall in our living room, but I think I’m going to opt for a hybrid mirror/picture 3d gallery instead, possibly with a plate or two hung as well. Thanks for inspiring me!

  62. Oh my gosh!!! I am CRAZY about this!!! I am trying to figure out just where I’m going to do this in my own house. And if I can’t find a spot, I’m totally going to convince someone else to let me do it in theirs! Thanks for sharing the details!!!

  63. I love this! I have a wall of photo’s just inside my front door and I’m not that happy with it, I’m going to try this on my wall I think I’ll be happier with it.
    Thank you for the inspiration!

  64. Carmie of the Single Nester says:

    Looks terrific. The frames and the design were both well-chosen.

  65. Emily@Decorchick says:

    This is SO fabulous! I’ll be featuring it tomorrow. :) xxoo

  66. That looks so fabulous! If found myself glancing around my house as I read to see where I could put something like it!

  67. Heather@The Black's Best says:

    This looks great! Thanks for telling u how it is done…I’ve always loved the look and didn’t know how it was done until now!

  68. Coastal Femme says:

    Diane,

    I love this. I saw this done with a few photos in a Pottery Barn catalog awhile back. The picture hooks had projections on them that created the 3D effect, but were $16.oo each!!! Great tutorial!

  69. Beautiful! I love, love, love this!

  70. I am so loving this……great tutorial!! I also love where you put your mirror in your dining room. I am a new follower!

  71. i LOVE it!! CLEVER idea for the layering, I did something similar, but used 2 blocks under my frame and some 3M velcro stuff. I think I need to add more to my wall, you’ve inspired me to keep adding :)

  72. Love this! Beautifully done and photographed.

  73. I LOVE this project…and so nice of you to share the tutorial! Looks fabulous!

  74. Love this! Thank you so much for the tutorial!

    Jodie

  75. thewanderingcottage says:

    Great job!

  76. Roses and Rust says:

    It looks absolutely amazing. You have turned a whole lot of fairly ordinary mirrors into something spectacular. Very well done.

  77. Oh, this is fantastic! It looks so good!!

    I love all of your ideas, and I appreciate how you explain what you did and show photos. That helps so much! Thank you!!

  78. This is a great tutorial! So creative and what an upscale look. I would love to try this on stairs and use family pictures. Thanks for the instructions and the inspriration.
    Yvonne

  79. Diane Costanza says:

    That is amazing! I love the overlapping frames. I would love to do that with the framed photos going up my stairs. Thanks for the idea!

    Diane

  80. lynn richards says:

    this is aMAZing!!! And the instructions are great. thanks so much!
    xo
    lynn

  81. Amy of WhisperWood Cottage & Junkologie says:

    Gorgeous! Thanks for showing how you used the blocks. So clever!

  82. I love this. I think your mirrors look twice as good as the inspiration prints.

  83. Erika...with a K says:

    Wow this looks amazing! Awesome idea!

  84. Diane, that is a different idea. It looks great and that was a bit of work to do that. Thanks for joining the party this week.

  85. Dar@ live by the sun luv by the moon says:

    Coming to you via Coastal Charm. I’m loving gallery type walls right now and yours is terrific!

  86. Lavender Dreams says:

    This is so intriguing! I love it…but I wonder if I could actually do it! I’m going back to look again! ♥ WOW! ♥

  87. I love it- And…I actually like your mirrors better than the photos in the inspiration picture. Way to go…I know that was a lot of work but it was worth it! Hugs- Diana

  88. nancy babb says:

    LOVE! LOVE!! And I like your mirrors better!

  89. That turned out amazing! Thanks for sharing your secret.

  90. Looks great! The wooden blocks were a good idea. Pottery Barn sells the metal arms that do the same, but cost 100x’s as much!
    Dropping by from How To’s Day. Hope you’ll come see DD2’s picture wall we did for her.

    Allison
    Atticmag

  91. Enjoyed this and can’t wait to try it! Found you at the How-To linky!

  92. Lisa @ Shine Your Light says:

    Wow – I love that concept – it looks great! Thanks for the tutorial! Where can I work this into my house? Hmmmm.

  93. looks great! you did a wonderful job!

  94. Amanda @ House Revivals says:

    Great tutorial — thanks for the tips!
    ~Amanda

  95. Milk & Cookie Party says:

    I’ve seen this but never imagined that I would be able to do it. YOu are so amazing. You see something incredible and your mind amazingly figures out exactly how to make it happen.

    1. Hi Ann-
      Thanks. I have to thank my parents for giving me a can-do mindset. That along with many years of working in retail display taught me the know how to make just about anything using odds and ends.

  96. Diane @ home sweet homemade says:

    Diane – really nice job at recreating that interesting depth. Really catches my attention! Hmm, so you don’t put anchors in the wall, even for some of those heavier mirrors? I hope you create another post to show the results of your client’s installation. This is an extremely wonderful idea!

    1. Hi Diane-

      None of my mirrors were heavy enough to require an anchor, if they did – I would put the heaviest ones on the first level, right on the wall with an anchor and then build from that. I used white paneling nails to hang the mirrors. You can see one in the photo of the block close-up. They have notches and act like screws. I use them to hang just about everything. Just hammer them in on an angle – not straight into the wall. I will gladly post my client’s photo gallery wall when it is complete.

  97. Such a great tutorial!!!! Love this wall!

  98. Yanet of 3 Sun Kissed Boys says:

    What a great look and a great tutorial to match. Thanks for sharing it with us.

  99. Very nice Diane!!! ;)

  100. Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says:

    That looks great, Diane! I really like it and was wondering how you would get the layer on top. Now you know it will work for your client and her pictures.

  101. Very, Very interesting. Your tutorial was very detailed,I like that. Hmmmm I am now thinking I would like to do this. Great idea.Thanks for sharing!

    1. Hi Connie-

      My wall was the experiment, now I know exactly what I have to do on my clients wall. The hardest part was cutting the blocks on my table saw. You could probably get the guys at the home improvement store to cut a 2 x 4 into blocks – that would be easy!!!

  102. Whit @ Amuse Bouche says:

    Lovsies! Such a textural way to display wall art, I will definitely be trying this out in my new place! Thanks for this!