Should gallery wall frames match? Experts weigh in on what works best

No matter how you feel about them, gallery walls have become fixtures in the modern home. A go-to for blank walls in living rooms, kitchens, or bedrooms, gallery walls transform sections of the home from dead spaces to focal points thanks to their variety and visual appeal.

Gallery wall ideas should be carefully considered – naturally, selecting the art you want to hang is a major factor in their sucess, but the framing is arguably just as significant. Gallery walls encourage eclecticism, and often the designs are ones that are filled with character, but is mixing and matching frames the right move? Experts say it can be – but it all depends how you style them.

First off, if you're looking for a uniform appearance on your wall, matching frames are certainly acceptable, and can look dynamic when the art featured really pops.

'If you want to achieve a traditional look with your gallery wall, you should use matching frames,' says Ana Cvetkovic, principal of Philadelphia-based interior design and home staging firm Rowhome Design.

She continues, 'However, if you want a more dynamic, interesting gallery wall, it's best to mix up your frames. To ensure the gallery wall looks cohesive, rather than chaotic, stick to 2-3 frame colors. For my living room, I used black, white, and gold frames.'

Metallic frames are a fantastic way to add some further texture and visual interest to a wall space that mostly features monochromatic or neutral frames. On that note, try experimenting with frames made of natural materials, like wood, among other solid colors for a modern rustic style.

Alternatively, Ana suggests looking towards the art itself for framing inspiration, as it can determine a pleasing color scheme.

'Another way to create a cohesive gallery wall when using different frames and help direct the eye is to look for art with unifying elements,' she explains. 'For example, you could choose pieces with similar colors or shapes. Pink, blue, and green are repeated throughout my gallery wall.'

Even decorating with artwork that's neutral and minimal can be made dynamic with textured or embellished frames – experiment by decorating with vintage and antique frames made of materials like brass for a unique look.

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Whether you choose to mix and match frames or go for a monochromatic approach, as long as you ensure there is some form of contrast between pieces (i.e. all-black, textured frames), then your gallery wall will look beautiful and timeless.