How to Create the Perfect Gallery Wall with Travel Prints

January 03, 2026
Posted by Neil Mann

Gallery walls have become one of the most popular interior design trends, and for good reason. They transform blank walls into personal storytelling spaces, and when created with travel prints, they become visual diaries of your adventures and dreams. Whether you're a seasoned traveller or an armchair explorer, a travel print gallery wall adds character, personality, and conversation-starting appeal to any room.

Why Travel Prints Are Perfect for Gallery Walls

Visual Cohesion with Variety

Travel prints naturally work together thematically while offering visual variety. Different destinations provide diverse colours, compositions, and moods, creating interest while maintaining a unified travel theme.

Personal Storytelling

Your gallery wall becomes a map of your life – places you've been, locations you love, destinations you dream of visiting. It's decor that tells your unique story.

Flexibility and Growth

Gallery walls can evolve over time. Add new destinations as you travel, swap prints seasonally, or expand your collection as your wall space allows. This flexibility makes gallery walls dynamic rather than static decor.

Cost-Effective Impact

Multiple smaller prints often cost less than one large statement piece but create equal or greater visual impact. This makes gallery walls an accessible option for various budgets.

Planning Your Travel Print Gallery Wall

Step 1: Choose Your Wall

Select a wall that will showcase your gallery effectively:

Ideal locations:

Living room feature walls
Hallway corridors
Staircase walls
Bedroom accent walls
Home office inspiration walls
Dining room conversation starters

Considerations:

Available space (measure width and height)
Lighting conditions (natural and artificial)
Viewing distance (close-up detail vs. distance impact)
Existing furniture and decor
Wall colour and texture

Step 2: Select Your Destinations

Choose locations that create a cohesive collection:

Thematic approaches:

Personal journey: Places you've visited in chronological order
Bucket list: Dream destinations you plan to visit
Regional focus: European cities, UK landscapes, American icons
Mixed memories: Combination of visited and aspirational locations
Heritage: Places connected to your family history
Seasonal: Destinations representing different times of year

How many prints?

Small gallery: 3-5 prints
Medium gallery: 6-9 prints
Large gallery: 10+ prints

Pro tip: Start with an odd number of prints (3, 5, 7) for more visually pleasing arrangements.

Step 3: Choose Your Sizes

Mixing print sizes creates visual interest and dynamic energy:

Popular size combinations:

Uniform: All A4 or all A3 for clean, organised look
Varied: Mix A4, A3, and A2 for dynamic composition
Focal point: One large A2 print surrounded by smaller A4/A3 prints
Symmetrical: Mirror sizes on either side of a central piece

Size selection tips:

Larger prints anchor the composition
Smaller prints fill gaps and add detail
Maintain consistent spacing regardless of size variations
Consider the total footprint (overall width and height)

Step 4: Select Frame Styles

Frame choice significantly impacts your gallery wall's overall aesthetic:

Matching frames:

Creates cohesive, organised appearance
Easier to plan and install
Works well for minimalist or traditional spaces
Best for uniform-sized prints

Mixed frames:

Adds eclectic, collected-over-time feel
Allows more personality and creativity
Works well for varied print sizes
Suits bohemian or contemporary spaces

Frame colour options:

Black: Modern, dramatic, works with any decor
White: Clean, gallery-style, brightens spaces
Natural wood: Warm, organic, suits travel themes
Mixed metals: Contemporary, adds dimension
Mixed colours: Eclectic, playful, personality-driven

Consistency tip: Even with mixed frames, maintain one consistent element (all wood tones, all thin profiles, all similar colours) for cohesion.

Gallery Wall Layout Styles

Grid Layout

Prints arranged in neat rows and columns create structured, organised appearance.

Best for:

Uniform-sized prints
Modern or minimalist spaces
Smaller collections (4-9 prints)
Symmetrical wall spaces

Tips:

Maintain equal spacing between all prints
Align edges perfectly
Works best with matching frames

Salon Style

Prints of various sizes arranged organically, often with edges touching or nearly touching.

Best for:

Mixed-size prints
Eclectic or traditional spaces
Larger collections (7+ prints)
Filling entire walls

Tips:

Start with largest print as anchor
Build outward maintaining visual balance
Vary spacing for organic feel
Mix frame styles for authenticity

Horizontal Line

Prints arranged in a single horizontal row at eye level.

Best for:

Hallways or narrow spaces
Above furniture (sofas, beds, consoles)
Smaller collections (3-5 prints)
Creating width in narrow rooms

Tips:

Align tops or bottoms of frames
Maintain consistent spacing
Works with varied or uniform sizes

Vertical Line

Prints stacked vertically, creating height and drawing eyes upward.

Best for:

Narrow wall spaces
Beside doorways or windows
Creating height in rooms with low ceilings
Smaller collections (3-5 prints)

Tips:

Centre alignment creates formal look
Offset alignment adds interest
Consider spacing carefully

Symmetrical Layout

Mirror-image arrangement creates balanced, formal appearance.

Best for:

Traditional or formal spaces
Above fireplaces or beds
Creating calm, organised feel
Even numbers of prints

Tips:

Use identical or similar prints on each side
Maintain perfect spacing
Centre around focal point

Asymmetrical Layout

Balanced but not mirrored arrangement creates dynamic, contemporary feel.

Best for:

Modern or eclectic spaces
Mixed-size collections
Creating visual interest
Odd numbers of prints

Tips:

Balance visual weight across the wall
Vary sizes and spacing
Step back frequently to assess balance

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Materials Needed:

Hammer or drill
Picture hooks or wall anchors
Spirit level
Measuring tape
Pencil
Kraft paper or newspaper (for templates)
Painter's tape

Installation Process:

Step 1: Create Templates Trace each frame onto kraft paper or newspaper and cut out. This allows you to arrange and rearrange without putting holes in your wall.

Step 2: Arrange on Floor Lay out your complete gallery arrangement on the floor, experimenting with different configurations until you're satisfied.

Step 3: Transfer to Wall Use painter's tape to attach paper templates to the wall in your chosen arrangement. Step back and assess from various angles and distances.

Step 4: Mark Hanging Points Mark where nails or hooks will go on each template, considering the hanging hardware on your frames.

Step 5: Install Hardware Remove templates one at a time, install hanging hardware at marked points, and immediately hang the corresponding frame.

Step 6: Level and Adjust Use a spirit level to ensure each frame is straight. Make minor adjustments as needed.

Pro tips:

Start from the centre and work outward
Hang largest pieces first
Maintain consistent spacing (2-3 inches is standard)
Take photos of your floor arrangement for reference

Spacing and Measurements

Standard Spacing Guidelines:

Between prints: 2-3 inches (5-8cm)
From ceiling: 6-12 inches (15-30cm)
From furniture: 6-8 inches (15-20cm)
Eye level centre: 57-60 inches (145-152cm) from floor

Total Gallery Dimensions:

Calculate the overall footprint of your gallery wall:

Measure the width and height of your arrangement
Ensure it's proportional to your wall space
Leave adequate breathing room around edges
Consider furniture below when determining height

Colour Coordination

Complementary Colour Schemes:

Travel prints come in various colour palettes. Consider:

Monochromatic: Prints in similar colour families create calm cohesion Complementary: Contrasting colours add energy and interest Neutral base: Predominantly neutral prints with colour accents Bold statement: Vibrant colours throughout for dramatic impact

Coordination tips:

Pull colours from existing room decor
Consider wall colour as part of the palette
Use frames to tie colours together
Balance warm and cool tones

Lighting Your Gallery Wall

Proper lighting enhances your travel prints and creates ambiance:

Lighting Options:

Picture lights: Individual lights above each frame
Track lighting: Adjustable spots highlighting entire wall
Wall washers: Soft, even illumination across the gallery
Natural light: Position to avoid direct sunlight (prevents fading)

Lighting tips:

Avoid glare on glass-covered prints
Use LED bulbs to prevent heat damage
Consider dimmer switches for ambiance control
Angle lights at 30-degree angle to minimise glare

Maintaining Your Gallery Wall

Regular Care:

Dust frames weekly with soft cloth
Clean glass monthly with appropriate cleaner
Check hanging hardware annually
Rotate prints seasonally if desired

Long-term Preservation:

Avoid direct sunlight exposure
Maintain stable humidity levels
Use UV-protective glass for valuable prints
Keep away from heat sources

Common Gallery Wall Mistakes to Avoid

Hanging Too High

The most common mistake. Centre your gallery at eye level (57-60 inches), not near the ceiling.

Inconsistent Spacing

Uneven gaps create chaotic appearance. Measure carefully and maintain consistent spacing throughout.

Ignoring Furniture Scale

Gallery walls should relate to furniture below. Too small looks lost; too large overwhelms.

Poor Planning

Putting holes in walls before planning leads to mistakes. Always use templates and plan thoroughly.

Neglecting Balance

Even asymmetrical arrangements need visual balance. Distribute visual weight evenly across the wall.

Wrong Frame Proportions

Frames that are too thick or too thin for print sizes look disproportionate. Match frame weight to print size.

Styling Tips for Maximum Impact

Create Focal Points

Use your largest or most colourful print as an anchor, building the rest of the gallery around it. Consider featuring your favourite destination like the Yorkshire Dales or Florence as your centrepiece.

Tell a Story

Arrange prints geographically (left to right across a continent) or chronologically (your travel timeline).

Add Dimension

Include a small shelf within your gallery to display travel souvenirs or books.

Seasonal Rotation

Swap prints seasonally to keep your gallery fresh and reflect different moods throughout the year.

Include Personal Touches

Mix travel prints with personal photographs from your trips for added meaning.

Budget-Friendly Gallery Wall Tips

Start Small and Grow

Begin with 3-5 prints and add over time as budget allows.

Mix Frame Sources

Combine ready-framed prints with DIY framing to control costs.

Choose Strategic Sizes

A4 and A3 prints offer best value while creating impact.

Shop Sales

Build your collection during seasonal sales and promotions.

DIY Elements

Create some frames yourself or upcycle existing frames with paint.

Conclusion

Creating the perfect gallery wall with travel prints transforms blank walls into personal storytelling spaces that celebrate your adventures and dreams. Whether you choose a structured grid or an organic salon-style arrangement, your gallery wall becomes a unique reflection of your personality and passions.

The key to success lies in careful planning, thoughtful destination selection, and patient installation. Take time to experiment with arrangements, maintain consistent spacing, and ensure proper hanging height. The result will be a stunning focal point that brings joy every time you see it and sparks conversations with every guest.

Your gallery wall isn't just decor – it's a visual diary of places you've loved, memories you've made, and dreams you're pursuing. Start planning your travel print gallery wall today and transform your space into a celebration of wanderlust.

Ready to start your gallery wall? Explore our collection of travel prints in various sizes, perfect for creating stunning gallery wall arrangements that tell your unique travel story.

Shop our collection: