Post Updated: 2/28/2020.
Using empty picture frames to create a gallery style wall will create interest where there is none in your home in a”chic on a shoestring way”. Creating a decorative gallery wall this way is easy as you don’t have to be precise, measure, and line up every frame perfectly.
I don’t put up a lot of decorations for Valentine’s Day. Flowers and a few cards out on a table, but that is usually about it.
I created the picture frame gallery wall at the top of my foyer steps a while ago. To make it I used a few frames I had on hand along with a few I picked up inexpensively at thrift stores and yard sales.
This year for Valentine’s Day, I added a red wood heart along with some pretty pink roses to some of the frames. The heart and flowers gives the frame gallery a pop of color that I can easy change on a whim with seasonal colors, flowers and decor items.
How to Create an Empty Picture Frame Gallery Wall
I used Command Brand Picture Hanging Strips to hang and layer not only the empty frames and wood letters on the wall, but also the Valentine touches of the red wood heart and the trio of flower vases.
Once Valentine’s Day is over, I can easily remove both, leaving no damage – not one hole.
Command Brand Picture Hanging Strips come off cleanly and won’t damage your walls thanks to the stretch-release technology that is on all Command Products.
supplies needed:
- Empty Frames of various sizes, colors, and shapes
- Command Picture Hanging Strips – 2 sets for each frame
- Wood Letters – craft store
- Wood Heart
- Flat sided glass vases
- Fresh or fake flowers
- Isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- Clean rag or cotton balls
- Bubble level
- Painter’s tape
- Tape measure
1. Determine how large the wall area is that you want to create the empty frame gallery. Mark it with painter’s tape. Clean wall surface with isopropyl rubbing alcohol, wipe gently, let dry.
2. Mark the same measurements on the floor as a staging area for the placement of the frames. Play around with how you want the frames to be on the wall – where your initials, heart, and flowers will go. Once you like your layout – take a photo of it so you have it as a reference, if needed.
3. Clean the back of all the frames with isopropyl rubbing alcohol and let dry. If there is any paper backing on the back of the frame, remove it or as much as you can.
4. Figure out how many sets of Command Picture Hanging Strips you will need. To make a set – press 2 strips together until they click.
5. You need to use two sets of Command Picture Hanging Strips on the backs of all the frames that will be attached directly to the wall. Do not add strips to the frames that will be layered yet.
To attach: Remove one green liner. Position one set of Command Picture Hanging Strips on the back of frame, press firmly. Repeat. Remove the remaining green liner.
How to Add and Layer Frames to Wall
1. Start with bottom frame in your layout/design. Use a bubble level to make sure frame is level and then press firmly into the wall for 30 seconds. Once first frame is up, continue to add the base frames to the wall in the same way. Make sure each is straight, then press firmly and hold each one up for 30 seconds.
2. Each layered frame and letter will need the Command Picture Hanging Strips placed in different areas on the back – it may not be on the top as the base frames were attached, so do one by one. Hold the layered frame up to the wall on top of the base frames that are already mounted on the wall to determine where the Command Picture Hanging Strips will need to be attached to the back of it – You want to attach them where they will overlap the first layer of frames. Once you figure out where the Command Picture Hanging Strips need to be attached, attach them in the same way as in Step 5.
3. Figure placement for layered letters to resemble a monogram. Add Command Picture Hanging Strips to the back of the smaller side letters first. Remove green liners. Center large center letter over them and press firmly for 30 seconds
4. Then attach the Command Picture Hanging Strips to the back of the larger center letter.
5. Flip it over. Remove green liner strips.
6. Press firmly to the wall. Hold for 30 seconds.
7. To attach a single letter to a small frame – determine where the letter will contact the frame. Place Command Picture Hanging Strips in these sections. Remove green liners, and press firmly into the frame. Hold for 30 seconds.
Do the same to attach the heart.
How to Attach Rectangular Glass Vases to a Wall
To attach the vases – Add one set of Command Picture Hanging Strips to the back of each vase as shown.
Determine placement for each and then press each firmly into the wall. Hold for 30 seconds.
Add water and flowers.
When February 15th rolls around, the heart and flowers will be easy to take down while leaving no damage to the wall since I used the Command Brand Picture Hanging Strips.
xela1030 says
just found your blog. this helps me a lot. I bought different sizes of frames online to decorate the wall on our stairs but I had trouble arranging them.
camomille says
hi xela1030. where did you buy your frames, are they the same like in the post? I’m actually looking for gold frames but the prices are really high lols. need lots of them for my room
hope you read this. thanks in advance
CarrollAlexander says
I think its one of finest surprise for valentine day special, I really like it…and thanks for giving this wonderful idea about the valentine day.
Sheryll & Critters. says
I just love this one too. I have always kept a secret wish to do the 3 D wall like the one in your guest bedroom. I think this one is even easier. I just have to get busy and buy some spray paint and a lot more picture frames. I think both are just gorgeous!
Lynn says
I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your gallery wall! The layers and different frames are so pretty and fresh! Thanks for sharing and I might be doing my own version soon on my big, blank living room wall. I’ve been looking for an idea and something like this might be perfect.
Rebecca says
Love this post! Especially loving the monogrammed letters and the heart!
[email protected] says
Wow! This is amazing! I’m so inspired by this entire wall. I love the depth of the frames and how you added in the monograms and flowers …
My mind is reeling with all of the possibilities.
Stopping over from Serenity Now.
Amber says
I love love LOVE command strips! I use them to hang everything I can in my house, except for the super heavy stuff. Love the gallery wall — especially the vases with the real flowers! :)
Vanessa says
Hi, Diane
I love this idea and I always enjoy learning something new from you. By the way, I changed my name from HOme Sweet Butterfly to DIY 180.
Have a great weekend.
Vanessa
Athena at Minerva's Garden says
What a pretty Valentine’s day decor idea!
Betsy says
I love this idea. I can’t believe you can actually use these on vases too. Haven’t tried them yet, but that’s going to change. Thanks for the great tutorial!
Nif @ Call*Me*Nif says
Love the flower vases! How unique!!
cassie {hi sugarplum} says
That looks really really cool!! I love the dimension, and all the frames are really cool! Great job!
Lesley says
I LOVE this! Thanks for the inspiration!
Josh Urso Design says
Wow! You’ve opened our eyes to the potential of the command strips! We can’t believe they’ll hold a vase with water and flowers to a wall. Very creative and definitely gutsy!
Dianne says
This looks fantastic I just loooooove it. Wow the flowers are fabulous Brilliant idea all of it…..
Diane @ homesweethomemade says
Diane – this is the prettiest curation of frames I’ve ever seen! Totally love how you added the monograms and flowers. Picture perfect!! xo
Lisa says
Diane,
Here’s another reason I love your website! You are so creative it’s awesome!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
That looks great, Diane! I love how you’ve layered the frames. Nice way to add interest with the initials, too.
Linda Southworth says
I would say this works for a long time display by changing out your themed items. Love it!
Mommae says
wow, wow, Wow! I’m thinking about decorating our foyer too. But, I don’t have any final design yet. I am planning to research on how to put up a gallery wall, and here it is in your blog! Executed perfectly! I love how you added the vases with flowers! Thanks for providing the step-by-step process on how to do it! I’m very excited to decorate our wall.
Regards,
Mae
Marilyn says
I think the idea of putting the vases on the wall was pretty clever! Thanks for sharing!
Joanne says
Nice look, but Command Strips are very expensive. How many did the project use?
Sylvia says
BRAVO Diane.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY.
Emilou says
Oh, my, I am so totally in awe! I love the way you have the grouping of empty frames, and yeah, they are all colors and styles. I had to read every word and really studied how you adheared the vases. The flowers are the crowning touch. Beautiful, just beautiful. Thanks for sharing.