1 | Reflect Personal Style & Narrative

Creating a gallery wall or room display that reflects your personality involves blending various styles like photographs, abstract art, posters, and family photos.

Your art collection should resonate with your personal taste and tell a story. As we evolve, our walls can also reflect this, so don't be too strict when mixing different abstract styles (or other type of art) as this allows for a unique expression of individuality overall.

If you need a starting point for curating a cohesive and personal collection, try to anchor with a theme or colour palette to have a unifying element, e.g., travel, nostalgia, or modern design - to tie the pieces together. Or/Then mix black-and-white family photos with minimalist abstract art in greyscale.

Play using a mix of frame styles (wooden, metallic, or black) to add interest, or unify the collection by keeping all frames the same colour. Vary sizes to create visual balance, with larger pieces anchoring the arrangement.

Balance bold, eye-catching abstract art with simpler elements like family photos or minimalist posters. This ensures no single piece dominates the display.

Layer Historical and Modern Styles by mixing vintage-style posters or sepia-toned photographs with contemporary abstract pieces. This juxtaposition adds depth and personality to your display.

Use Spacing to Define Importance, by giving more prominent artworks (like a large abstract painting) central placement, then surround it with smaller, complementary photos or posters.

Include Personal Touches, adding family photos, postcards, or souvenirs to tell a story and personalise your space. For example, arrange family holiday photos alongside travel-themed posters or abstract landscapes.

Experiment with Layouts, trying symmetrical grids for a formal look or asymmetrical clusters for a more eclectic feel. Test layouts on the floor before mounting to find the best composition. 

By thoughtfully blending these styles, you create a display that’s uniquely yours, celebrating both your personal history and artistic taste.

2 | Establish a Unified
Colour Palette

A consistent colour scheme serves as the foundation for integrating diverse abstract pieces. Selecting artworks that share common hues or complementary colours helps to creates visual harmony.

Here you see a thoughtfully curated living with a blend of modern art, luxurious textures & bold colours.
The warm base palette room of beige and gold creates a cosy and elegant atmosphere. Then, the pink accents on the ottoman and cool green in the plant provides a subtle, but striking colour contrasts, balancing warmth with freshness.

_{Viola Davis & Julius Tennon in their house for Architectural Digest, photography by Frank Frances}

3 | Vary Scale & Proportion

Incorporating artworks of different sizes adds depth and interest to your space.

Combining large statement pieces with smaller works can create a dynamic visual flow.

Interior designer Sophie Ashby suggests mixing various art forms — such as sculptures, photographs, and paintings — to achieve a balanced and engaging composition.

For instance, pairing a vibrant abstract painting with a monochromatic photograph that echoes similar tones can also help to unify the display.

4 | Balance Patterns & Textures

Abstract art often incorporates bold patterns and diverse textures, which can make a space feel dynamic and visually rich.

Yet, too many intricate designs can overwhelm the senses and disrupt the room’s overall harmony. Achieving balance involves pairing bold, patterned artworks with simpler textures or minimalistic elements.

A colourful, chaotic piece with splatters and sharp angles (think Jackson Pollock-inspired art) could be balanced with a minimalist composition of muted hues and clean lines - where one piece does not compete with another.

Bear in mind: Use Contrast to Create Balance, Incorporate Natural Textures, Use Artwork as the Anchor, Mix Patterns Wisely.

5 | Framing & Presentation

The choice of frames and how artworks are displayed significantly impact the cohesiveness of your collection. Using similar frame styles or colours can unify diverse pieces, while varying them can add an eclectic touch.

Additionally, the arrangement—such as symmetrical versus asymmetrical layouts—affects the overall balance and flow of the display. A quick guide to framing considerations:

^{Passe-Partout (Matting)}
A passe-partout (or mat) is the border placed around the artwork within the frame. It provides breathing space and draws attention to the piece.

We personally love it as it helps protect the artwork from direct contact with the glass and gives a polished, professional look. Choose a neutral-coloured mat (like white, off-white, or grey) for versatility, or opt for a coloured mat that complements the tones in your artwork for a bolder statement.

^{Choosing the Right Frame Style} 
Minimalist Frames: Thin black or white frames are ideal for modern abstract art and photographs, creating a sleek, contemporary look.

Ornate Frames: Decorative frames suit traditional artwork or vintage photographs, adding a touch of elegance.

Wooden Frames: Natural wood frames providewarmth and work well with family photos or earthy-toned abstracts.

By understanding framing options and sizing, you can better select frames that elevate your artwork and suit the space in which it’s displayed.

Thoughtful framing can unify mixed styles like posters, abstract art, and photos into one cohesive collection.

6 | Create Visual Resting Points

While a diverse art collection adds excitement and interest, it's vital to provide areas where the eye can pause and rest. A resting point creates balance, allowing each artwork to be appreciated without overwhelming the viewer. The key is to ensure that the arrangement doesn’t feel too busy while still maintaining a sense of flow.

Designers often recommend creating these pauses when working in compact or highly trafficked spaces, such as hallways or stairwells. By adding “visual breathing room,” the art doesn’t dominate the area but enhances it.

Then, try to arrange artworks with larger areas of negative space or subtle textures near the centre of your display.This acts as an anchor, keeping the eye drawn to the composition without fatigue.

7 | Experiment with Placement and Grouping

When mixing abstract art, how you arrange and place your pieces is as important as the artworks themselves. Experiment with layouts to find what best suits your space and style. Popular arrangements include gallery walls, linear displays, staggered groupings, and even leaning art against a shelf or mantle for a relaxed, modern look.

Gallery Walls: Mix and match various sizes and styles of abstract art for an eclectic display. Try combining pieces with different themes but ensure a unifying element, like a shared colour or similar frames.

Linear Displays: A row of abstract works can create a sleek, contemporary look. This works well in dining rooms, above sofas, or along corridors.

Staggered Groupings: Play with asymmetrical arrangements for a more dynamic, casual feel. Overlapping frames or layering pieces of different depths can also add texture and interest.

Interior designers often suggest mapping your arrangement on the floor before committing to hanging. This allows you to visualise balance and adjust for scale or spacing. Don’t be afraid to change things up! Abstract art is versatile, so swap pieces around occasionally to refresh your space. Adding a plant or a sculptural object alongside your display can also enhance the overall effect. 

The key is to maintain a sense of balance and cohesion, ensuring that the collection feels intentional and curated.