Some designers claim gallery walls are fading in favor of larger-scale artwork. Maybe that’s true for every tiny-frame collage out there, but a thoughtful grouping of frames still reads as classic and intentional. A gallery wall can be especially useful around a television, because that large dark rectangle often dominates an otherwise blank wall. Surrounding the TV with framed pieces doesn’t make the screen vanish, but it balances the visual weight and gives your eye other spots to rest. And if you need help making the TV feel curated, put on a nature documentary—Planet Earth makes any screen look like art.
We first experimented with framing around our living room television several years ago, and the concept has evolved but stood the test of time. Because people often ask about layout, what to frame, and how to hang pieces, here’s a clear guide to creating a gallery wall around your TV—simple, practical, and easy to personalize.
Preparing the TV Wall
If possible, mount the TV and hide cords for a cleaner look. An in-wall power kit or cord management system only takes an hour or so to install and dramatically reduces visual clutter. Mounting isn’t required—our TV rested on a media cabinet for years—but wall-mounting usually makes the room feel more open. If you prefer a freestanding setup, a secondhand dresser or thrifted cabinet makes a charming TV stand and keeps the overall look grounded.
Arranging and Hanging Frames
There are several easy ways to design the arrangement before you commit to nails in the wall. Choose the method that best fits your patience level and available space.
Method 1 — Lay the Frames on the Floor
Collect the frames you plan to use and lay them out on the floor, leaving a gap where the TV will be. Measuring the TV ensures the proportions feel right. Move frames around until the composition feels balanced—this is an intuitive, hands-on approach that helps you see relationships between pieces before committing to the wall.
Method 2 — Paper Templates
Cut newspaper, kraft paper, or plain printer paper to match each frame’s dimensions and tape the templates to the wall with painter’s tape. This lets you experiment with placement at eye level without making holes. Adjust spacing, height, and alignment until you’re happy, then swap the paper templates for the actual frames.
Method 3 — The Big Sheet
Arrange frames on the floor over a large roll of craft paper, trace each outline, and mark hanging points. Cut the paper and transfer it to the wall as a single oversized template. This is ideal for small to medium groupings and speeds up the hanging process since all positions and hardware marks are pre-planned.
Method 4 — Work Section by Section
If you prefer a more spontaneous approach, hang frames in small sections and step back frequently. Start by centering and spacing the pieces directly above the TV, then expand left and right. This helps you maintain balance and prevents the arrangement from drifting off-center. A few extra holes are not the end of the world—spackle is quick and forgiving—so don’t let fear of mistakes stop you.
Tying a Mixed Gallery Together
Many readers ask whether frames should match or if art should be consistent. There’s no single correct answer—both cohesive and eclectic galleries can look great. In our wall, we mixed white, light wood, and thin gold frames. Three consistent choices make varied frames feel unified:
- Mats: White mats in most frames visually link different styles and make the grouping read as a single composition.
- Color palette: Repeating similar tones across pieces—greens, blues, pinks, and lots of white—creates harmony even when artwork differs in medium.
- Consistent spacing: Aim for 2–3 inches between frames. Too much distance makes pieces read as separate islands; too little feels crowded. Treat the TV like another frame and try to match spacing around it, checking the view from the couch to ensure it feels right from your primary vantage point.
What to Frame
Mixing types of imagery gives the wall personality. We combined family photos, small original paintings, postcards, botanical photos, and decorative objects. Below are the kinds of pieces that work well together in a mixed gallery:
- Family photos framed with matching mats to keep them feeling elevated.
- Decorative objects like faux antlers or sculptural pieces painted or finished to fit the palette.
- Original small paintings or prints for color and uniqueness.
- Postcards or exhibit flyers framed to add pops of color and personal meaning.
- Photographs—especially ones with lots of negative space—to give the eye a place to rest.
- Maps or pinned travel displays backed with cork for a tactile element.
Buy frames that come with mats if you can, and don’t be afraid to source pieces from thrift shops, local artists, or your own photographs. Small framed items from budget-friendly stores can look surprisingly elegant when grouped thoughtfully.
For hanging, a handful of short videos and quick demonstrations can be helpful—look for basic frame hanging tutorials that show how to keep pieces level and secure. The more you practice, the faster and more confident you’ll become.
In short: start small, experiment on the floor or with paper templates, maintain a consistent palette and matting, and keep spacing tight enough so the group reads as one composition. Don’t overthink it—move things around until they feel right. Holes are easy to fill and spackle is forgiving. With a little patience and some thoughtful selection, a framed gallery around your TV can transform that big dark box into an intentional part of your room’s style.
If you have a lower media cabinet and a blank wall above it, consider creating a centered gallery or using a long shelf for layered frames. There are many affordable and creative ways to fill the space—use what you love and make the wall yours.
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