how to style a 3D gallery wall

We will ALWAYS love the

gallery wall

Like, no matter what. Forever and always. But we would be lying if we said we hated how people are starting to switch it up a bit. You know, like adding more 3-dimensional objects, hanging in different ways, and even leaning art on ledges. We also understand that though it sounds silly, adding 3D pieces to your gallery wall can be intimidating.

—Where do I even begin? What do I hang first? How do you choose your objects? Does the spacing change? Will it look terrible when I’m finished?—

Luckily, incorporating different objects like mirrors, sconces, antlers, and even instruments into your gallery wall is very similar to putting together a regular, 2D wall. Not convinced? Don’t worry, we’ll show you how. Read on for advice from designers, regular people, and the experts at domino.

mandy kellog rye, founder + creative director of

waiting on martha

Which came first—the objects or deciding you wanted a 3D gallery wall?

In my gallery wall, the juju hat came first. It was a transplant from my entry way. Next came the art, which is predominately feminine. I balanced the femininity in the art with more masculine 3D objects like antlers, a skateboard, and an industrial styled sconce.

What is your favorite piece on the wall?

My favorite 3D object is the hand hook with the extra large worry beads. It’s just so different and something I haven’t seen a lot of in design.

Any advice you have for people looking to incorporate 3D objects into their gallery wall?

In my opinion, 3D objects should be the secondary story. They should be sprinkled in with traditional art where it makes the most sense. Above all, don’t force it.

kate schelter,

artist, creative director and stylist

Why did you decide to make your gallery wall 3D?

We didn’t! (I only noticed it after you point it out!) We just hung what we loved when we moved in. We constantly move stuff around like refrigerator magnets.

Which came first—the objects or deciding you wanted a 3D gallery wall?

This is our favorite stuff. The artwork and instruments are a combination of our favorite stuff (pre-marriage) and pieces we love and bought together. The banjo is my wedding gift to my husband—custom made by hand in Virginia. Instruments are certainly works of art. Plus, having them accessible makes it easy for Chris to play them for our daughter.

Any advice you have for people looking to incorporate 3D objects into their gallery wall?

Hanging pictures and objects is the cheapest and easiest and fastest way to transform a room—and very easy to correct if you make a mistake. Don’t overthink a wall—experiment with trial and error. Just jump in! I love artwork hung on deep, saturated color and I also love sunny white spaces. My general rule: the larger the room and the space, the higher the ceilings, the lighter the wall.

kiera kushlan, design principal at residents understood

Why did you decide to make your gallery wall 3D?

I always find that even if you can add just one three dimensional item into your gallery wall it really gives the whole thing more visual weight and depth—it almost makes a gallery wall feel more personal and a little less stuffy.

What is the 3D silver item?

It’s a sculpted metal flower from a wonderful organization called Passion Works in my hometown of Athens, Ohio. Passion Works is an art studio where people with and without disabilities collaborate on art together.

What made you want to incorporate this piece in your wall? Is it the only 3D item included? If so, why just one?

The flower was given to my husband and me as a wedding present from our best friend. My husband and I met in Athens at Ohio University, so the fact that it’s from there holds special meaning to us both. It is the only 3D item on the wall which helps to make it stand out a little more.

Any advice you have for people looking to incorporate 3D objects into their gallery wall?

I think location and scale are key. Try placing a 3D object off center so it doesn’t feel like the rest of the wall was composed around that one particular item—it will feel more organic that way! Also try to keep the size of the object somewhat proportional to the other frames around it this will also help the item to sort of blend into the mix and seem like it was meant to be without feeling forced.

teresa wilson, owner of

camelback flowershop

Why did you decide to incorporate 3D objects into your gallery wall?

I love how three-dimensional pieces set the tone of the design for a gallery wall, and the space as a whole. Gallery walls are essentially an oversized piece of artwork, the three dimensional pieces drawing the eye in, creating interest for the work as a whole.

What did you hang first?

We start ours by centering our big 3-D pieces, then we put up one piece at a time, balancing lighter toned pieces with darker pieces, offsetting different sizes and orientation of the frames.

Any advice you have to people looking to make their gallery wall 3D?

The advice I would give would be to center the 3-D piece as the focal point of the gallery wall, always starting at the center and branching out to the edges, piece by piece. Leave roughly the same amount of space between each item, stepping back to get a broader perspective and readjusting the spacing. A set of fresh eyes and a second opinion help.

nathaniel eggleston, educator, camp director, public speaker, artist, and tzar of imagination

Why did you decide to make your gallery wall 3D?

My gallery wall is a collection of my memories, each of those moments were lived in 3D and the mementos that commemorate them happened to be 3D as well.

Which came first—the objects or deciding you wanted a 3D gallery wall?

All the objects came first. As I’ve traveled the world, I decided to collect a single article from each destination no matter what it was; a boar mask from Western China, a bike wheel frame i found on the Lower East Side, a piece from an artist in Park City, Utah, a photo I took from my family’s cabin in Yellowstone, a calligraphy work from Japan, a propaganda poster from Russia. It all meant something and I wanted my home to tell a story of my life and be more than a collection of nice things from stores.

What is your gallery wall hanging method?

I lay it all out on the floor and feel it out and decide what works best, what tells the story that matters to me. I wanted to break the barrier of the molding in the 1931 apartment and be nontraditional with the setting, i’m nontraditional with almost everything. I didn’t wanted it to fit neatly or be symmetrical. I wanted the pieces to feel added upon and collected so they trickle across the wall.

What is your favorite piece on the wall?

It’s so hard to pick my favorite piece because each one has a story and a memory. But the round Baoulé crimson mask was a gift to me from a family I lived near in Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire.

Any advice you have to people looking to make their gallery wall 3D?

Don’t be afraid to tell a story with the pieces you choose. Like a good movie with a great plot twist, the story you tell with your gallery wall needs a design twist too.

spencer roth, music director/musician

Why did you decide to make your gallery wall 3D?

I decided to make the gallery wall 3D because I liked the idea of adding depth to something that would typically be flat. It’s unique.

Is that a cabinet drawer?? How did you choose these specific pieces to all hang together?

It is a cabinet drawer! I originally went with the cabinet drawer because I was just trying to be resourceful. Everything inside the drawer is somewhat meaningful like a book we love, my grandparents camera, and our last name. Some of the other pieces ended up there by process of elimination, except for the antlers. The antlers were well thought out, but I couldn’t even tell you how I got to the idea of hanging them that way. I just wanted to use antlers in a distinct way and went for it.

What did you hang first? And how did you decide on the layout?

I hung the drawer first. The drawer had the potential to be obtrusive if not placed well. I wanted the antlers to descend a little from the banister, and I wanted the framed picture and the pennant to make their way to the right, gradually, so the whole arrangement spread out a little.

What is your favorite piece on the wall?

Other than the framed picture from our wedding, the antlers are definitely my favorite. They are so memorable and maybe even a little peculiar to guests the first time they see them.

Any advice you have for people looking to hang a combo of 3D objects?

My advice to people would be: less is more. A lot of people get carried away with gallery walls. Oh and watch your head!

domino’s advice:

start small

If adding 3D pieces to your wall scares you, start small and add something like a sconce.

pay attention to spacing

Decide first what you want your gallery wall to look like and what vibe you want to create. For instance, not everyone might want their frames hanging so close together! But it really works in this space for this family.

your 3d objects don’t have to be treasures

You don’t have to be a globe trotting collector to get in on the trend. Adding in mirrors and wall hangings you might have had hanging separately in your old space works perfectly fine, too.

reimagine what a “gallery wall” means to you

Most time, people immediately picture a big wall full of prints and photos and get overwhelmed with the task. A small gallery wall can be made up of even three photos! Adding them above a table counts, too. Throw in a sconce and you’ve successfully tackled the 3D gallery wall trend.

Embarking on your very first gallery wall attempt? Check out a few different layouts that will get you started.