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How to Make a Gallery Wall with Family Photos

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ByMarty Walden

Complete tutorial on how to make a gallery wall with family photos with everything you need to know from layout to choosing frames, pictures, words or inspiration.

Wall and Idea

We have transformed several areas of our home in the last three months and I want to start out sharing the one that tickles me the most.

When I first started transforming our home a few years ago I was enthralled by Pinterest and created too many boards to count.

I still use it to organize my ideas but the inspiration for my project is found here. I was totally enthralled with the details on how to make a gallery wall in our den.

(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience.  Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)

Step 1: Collect Frames and Paint

Since I am a yard saler/cheapskate thrifter I began by collecting frames from around the house and up in my personal store, otherwise known as the attic.

I had no idea how I would do the arrangement but I got enough frames to use 4×6, 5×7 and 8×10 black and white pictures.

Whenever Walgreens had a sale on prints (or a free offer) I would order more black and whites in various sizes.

I did NOT think through where everything would go and in which frame ahead of time. I just ordered pictures I liked or ones that would give me some variety.

My husband spray painted the frames with an aerosol primer and white spray paint. He even sprayed some of the mats. The additional mats I bought half off at Michael’s.

This process of ordering pictures and gathering the frames was time consuming, lasting over a few weeks. It was a little tedious. Okay, very tedious.

Step 2: Layout on Floor or Flat Surface

I then started randomly inserting pics in frames and created an arrangement on the kitchen floor where I could get an idea what I still needed and which frames I would be working with.

Text and Wall

Step 3: Hang Frames

For this wall the most important part was deciding on the center frame which contained three 8×10’s. My husband centered this on the wall and just started randomly hanging the rest.

There are certainly more precise ways to go about this but we knew we didn’t want a symmetrical grouping.

A living room filled with furniture and a fire place

Step 4: Decide on Words/Saying

On a sheet of paper I laid out the “family is” phrase and loosely diagrammed the frames.

I enlisted my family to give me words they felt described our family. I then sketched the words around the frames. (None of this was done in precise measurements….obviously.) You can tell by the sketch that I later moved words around.

A close up of a whiteboard

As the weeks passed while I was working on this project I was also buying white vinyl for my Cricut, using coupons, of course, from various craft stores around town.

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Step 5: Use Diecutting Machine to Cut out Words

The part I dreaded most and kept putting off was the final step of cutting the words out with my Cricut Expression.

 

Using the 12×24 cutting mat, I chose one word and font (cartridge) at a time.

I measured in between the frames to get an idea of the size I would need. However, the size is relative when using the Cricut so I cut out each word from cardstock first to make sure they would fit in the allotted space. I also kept a list of which fonts and sizes I used so I wouldn’t duplicate them.

A close up of text on a whiteboard

Step 6: Attach to Wall

Next I used masking tape to align the words on the wall as I was deciding where to place them. I loved the flexibility of moving the words around to find the best look.

A living room
A group of people posing for a photo

I let my husband do the actual work of attaching the vinyl  since he is much more of a perfectionist than I am and is also better at detail work.

He found this little gadget that was an amazing help. It’s a laser level that mounts to the wall with removable adhesive tape and projects up to a 15 ft. laser line. Lining up the words….easy peasy.

A close up of a helmet

A man standing in a room
A man standing in front of a television playing a video game
A man standing in a room

 
Peeling the transfer paper off the vinyl word.

 Our family motto is “families are forever.

A painting hanging on a wall

My husband using the bone folder to attach the vinyl to the wall.

 
The finished product! I had such a hard time photographing this wall without a glare.

Timeline
A painting on the wall

Total cost of my Gallery Wall

Estimated: $75

Includes laser level, frames, mats, black and white photos, spray paint and primer, vinyl and transfer paper.

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113 Comments

  6. The wall looks so darn cute! I can’t believe how inexpensive it was! We absolutely love it! We are so glad that you linked up to our “Strut Your Stuff Saturday”. Thanks for coming and we hope you’ll come back next week! -The Sisters

    Reply

  7. Oh my gosh.. Marty… this looks amazing… Super impressed… Great job!! Hoping over from the dedicated house and following you now..

    Sure hope you’ll stop by at Colours dekor 🙂 Have a fabulous week ahead 🙂

    Reply

  9. I love your wall, it is wonderful! I’ve been wanting to do this as well. I just got my Cricut yesterday, so I’m ready now. Thanks for sharing!
    ~ Terrie
    HearthandWhimsy.com

    Reply

  11. Wow, that is some gallery wall! I have been attempting to make one in our den but it is nowhere near as gorgeous as yours. Well done to you both on such a gorgeous creation!

    Best wishes,
    Natasha in Oz

    Reply

  13. Your wall looks AMAZING! I can tell that a lot of time and love went into this project! Found you at I Gotta Create. I’m your newest follower and would love to have you stop by for a visit! Happy 4th of July! Judy

    Reply

  19. I adore your gallery wall! Great job! Thank you for sharing this post at my Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House! It means the world. Hope to see you again next week. Toodles, Kathryn @TheDedicatedHouse

    Reply

  28. Love the addition of the Vinyl lettering, totally takes this wall to the next level! Thanks for sharing.
    Visitng from Shabby Creek Cottage.

    Reply

  30. Found you on “Whatever you want Wednesday”……glad I did. I love this, thanks for all the instructions.

    Reply