How to create a gallery wall

Learn how to create a gallery wall and turn blank spaces into masterpieces in just a few simple steps.

Creating a gallery wall is one of the easiest ways to add personality to your space - whether you're showcasing family memories, travel snaps, or your favourite art prints. Yet, if the idea of hammering nails into your freshly painted walls makes you break out in a sweat, don’t worry.

Read on to discover the best ways to hang pictures without nails thanks to our innovative mounting tape and other Bostik products, and get ready to make your gallery wall of dreams!

What you will need

Framed pictures of choice - as many as you'd like!
Paper templates cut to the size of your frames
Blu Tack
Pencil or felt tip pen
Spirit level
Glu Dots
Miracle Mounting Tape

Difficulty

Average time

30 mins - 1 hour

Cost

Print version!

Instructions

Step 1: Plan your layout

Before you stick anything to the wall, lay your frames out on the floor to experiment with different arrangements. Want a symmetrical grid? Or a more eclectic vibe? Play around until it feels right.

Then, when you have a rough idea of how it'll look, roll small pieces of Blu Tack® and stick paper templates (cut to the size of your frames) onto the wall. This lets you visualise the final look on your wall space and adjust spacing without leaving any marks.

Good to know

Blu Tack® is repositionable, reusable, and won’t damage your walls - perfect for indecisive decorators! We do not recommend applying Blu Tack® to recently decorated walls.

Working with large frames?

If your frames are rather large and paper templates aren’t possible, instead, once you’ve laid them on the floor in a rough design, stick blobs of Blu Tack® to the corners of each frame and add a blob of felt tip or a transferrable pen to each blob.

Then, using a spirit level, line up where you think you might like your frame on the wall and when you’re roughly happy with the position, lightly press to the wall to transfer the dots of pencil. This will give you a better idea of where your frame will hang.

Repeat for your other frames, measuring the distance between the frames to keep things nice and uniform – or simply take a visual estimate for a more free-spirited feel. Blu Tack® also acts as a rubber, so you can simply use it to remove any pencil marks where you may have changed your mind.

Step 2: Secure your photos in the frame

Ever noticed how photos can sometimes slip or go wonky inside their frames? Use Removable Glu Dots to keep your photos in place.

These little adhesive dots are clear, mess-free, and super easy to use. Just pop a few behind your photo to hold it snugly against the frame backing. No more slippage, even if your frame gets bumped!

Good to know

Bostik Glu Dots are acid and lignin-free meaning they won't turn your prizes photos yellow, keeping them in good condition for years to come.

Step 3: Hang your frames without nails

Now for the fun part - getting those frames up on the wall! Enter Miracle Mounting Tape. This double-sided tape is a game-changer when creating a gallery wall. It’s strong enough to hold frames of up to 1kg per 20cm applied, but here’s the miracle:

No residue left behind when you remove it.
Reusable up to four times, so you can reposition your frames if you change your mind.
No tools needed - just peel, cut, stick, and press.

How to use Miracle Mounting Tape:

Cut strips of Miracle Tape, peel off the backing and apply them to the back of your frame. Press evenly for 30 seconds.
Remove the backing from the other side of the tape.
Press the frame firmly onto the wall for a few seconds in the position you've marked up using your paper templates and Blu Tack®.
That’s it! No nails, no drills, no stress.

Step 4: Tweak until it's perfect

Not loving the placement of one of your frames? No problem. With Miracle Tape, you can peel it off gently and move it without damaging your wall or the tape.

Once you've removed your frame, simply stick and press it into its new position. Or, if you're looking to swap out your frame, peel the tape off, wash it under warm water and leave to dry. Then, reapply to your new frame and you're good to go again!

Step 5: Ta-da!

Once everything’s in place, step back and admire your handiwork. Your DIY gallery wall is up, your photos are secure, and your walls are still pristine. Ta-da!

Final thoughts

Whether you're a seasoned DIYer or just dipping your toes into home decorating, Bostik’s range of clever adhesives makes creating a gallery wall easy and enjoyable. With Blu Tack® for planning, Glu Dots for securing, and Miracle Tape for hanging, you’ve got everything you need to turn your wall into a masterpiece—without ever picking up a hammer.