Building a Vintage Gallery Wall: A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

So, you’re ready to turn that blank wall into a show-stopping masterpiece? Welcome to the wonderful world of vintage gallery walls, where your personality gets to shine through every carefully chosen piece of art. Whether you’re a total newbie or just dipping your toes into the world of vintage finds, we’ve got you covered. In collaboration with Holly Garritano—vintage enthusiast, antiquing aficionado, and the queen of the “thrill of the hunt”, we’re dishing out all the tips, tricks, and insider secrets you need to create a gallery wall that’s uniquely you.

Step 1: Start Collecting (aka the Most Fun Part!)

Let’s kick things off with the best advice ever: collect what you love! According to Holly, “If you stick with what you love, chances are they’ll all complement each other in the end.” So, start hunting—whether that’s scouring online auction sites, hitting up your favorite local thrift stores, or snagging that quirky print you’ve had your eye on for ages. The more personal, the better.

And here’s the deal—building a vintage gallery wall doesn’t happen overnight. Holly’s got a pro tip for you: “Gallery walls that are 100% second hand do not come together quickly. It’s very rare to find multiple pieces in one day. Collect artwork you love, and over time you’ll be able to create a unique collection that represents you.”

From Holly’s experience, finding good artwork can be a bit of a challenge. “I rarely come across good artwork at the thrift stores anymore. I see a ton of reproduced pieces,” she notes. To up your chances of finding unique and original pieces, Holly recommends exploring sites like Ebay, Etsy, @vintage_keepers_shop, and auction platforms such as AuctionNinja and Hibid. “These are great sources for original artwork,” she says.

Step 2: Placement and Arrangement—Let the Fun Begin!

Now that you’ve got your collection going, it’s time to play around with your layout. Holly’s motto? “Trial and error!” Seriously, she’s all about laying your pieces out on the floor, snapping some pics, and moving things around until it just clicks. Don’t be afraid to mix big and small, framed and unframed, symmetrical and totally off-kilter. As Holly puts it, “There’s no wrong or right answer here.”

And guess what? Almost any wall can become your canvas. Got a big, empty space? Go bold with large statement pieces. Working with a cozy hallway? Smaller art can make just as big of an impact. The key is to have fun with it and let your creativity run wild.

Step 3: Style and Aesthetic—Mix It Up!

When it comes to style, Holly’s advice is simple: “Once you start collecting artwork and grouping them together, you start to get a feeling for what should go together and what shouldn’t.” Play with different types of art—photography, paintings, abstract pieces, you name it.

And when it comes to frames? Go wild. Holly loves “a mix of frame styles. Wood, gold, black, no frame at all.” Your gallery wall should be as eclectic and interesting as you are!

Your gallery wall should be as eclectic and interesting as you are! Find different types of art from photography and paintings to abstract pieces here.

Step 4: Practical Tips for Making It Happen

Ready to start hanging? Here’s Holly’s golden rule: “The number doesn’t matter but odd numbers are best.” Some people like to get everything up at once, while others prefer to let their gallery wall evolve over time. Whichever way you roll, it’s all good. For those just starting, there’s no need to overwhelm yourself with too many pieces.

Just one thing to keep in mind—make sure your art is at eye level so everyone can admire your handiwork without craning their necks.

And hey, don’t worry too much about making extra holes in the wall. Holly admits, “I 100% just wing it. Which is not ideal, I end up with extra holes in the wall. 🫣". While it’s important to be mindful of wall damage, don’t stress too much about perfection—extra holes can always be filled!

Step 5: Personal Insights and Final Thoughts

Holly knows that creating a gallery wall is more than just decorating—it’s a labor of love. Her top tip? “Buying something just because it was a good price can end up being a roadblock to you later on. So make sure you love the item, not just the price. I’ve definitely found myself with this dilemma before. So it’s important to buy what you love and stay true to your style.”

As you piece together your gallery wall, remember to enjoy the process. Lay things out, experiment, and most importantly, have fun! This is your chance to tell your story through art, so make it count.

With these tips from Holly Garritano, you’re all set to create a gallery wall that’s not just a decoration but a celebration of everything you love. Happy decorating, and here’s to finding those perfect pieces!

A special thanks to Holly Garritano for sharing her insights with us! Holly, along with her husband, Greg, and their five children, calls upstate New York home. She’s a passionate advocate for incorporating antiques and vintage finds into home decor and delights in the thrill of the hunt for unique pieces. Over the past few years, her husband has also caught the antiquing bug, and together they love exploring for hidden treasures. You can follow Holly's vintage adventures on Instagram at @seedsofhome. Thanks for joining us, Holly, and for inspiring us to create gallery walls that are truly one-of-a-kind!

Written by:

Tam Tran

August 19, 2024     Updated 11:08 AM

Ready to locate an estate sale company or explore online estate auctions? Visit AuctionNinja.com. If you're new to online estate auctions, try it risk-free by sigining up here.