Why Your Gallery Wall Might Look Better With Mismatched Frames

At the end of the day it’s up to you—and the look you’re trying to achieve—but for the most part, especially in a collected Southern home, we tend to prefer mismatched frames. The frame should complement the artwork within it, not just match the elements of your room’s decor and other wall art. 

“Framing is such an important part of your collection,” says Muriel Foster Schelke, curator of the Atlanta Artist Collective. “It’s a simple, impactful way to elevate and preserve your treasured pieces and add dimension, color, and texture all the while, leading the eye from piece to piece to tell a story.”

While we’re pro mix-and-match, there are still plenty of exceptions and cases for a matching gallery wall—especially when framing photography, namely black-and-white images. We’re making the case for both with a little help from interior design and art gallery pros; as well as giving you some practical advice for curating your gallery wall.

Why You Should Opt For Mismatched Frames

There are no rules when it comes to art. “Framing is as personal as the artwork itself, so there are absolutely no hard rules,” says Schelke. “I like to approach a gallery wall as one unit with many points of interest.” It’s important to consider how each piece of art lives both on its own and among other works. A gallery wall is often ever-changing and pieces of art can move around, so while your framing choice should flow with surrounding works, most importantly it should make the individual piece sing. The medium—oil paint, textile, mixed media, photography, etc.—should largely inform your frame selection.

“While we love the uniformity of matching frames, there’s a brilliance to the character and energy of a gallery wall that has frames of all different shapes, sizes, and finishes,” explains Virginia-based designer DuVäl Reynolds. “Choosing mismatched frames gives the space an eclectic, collected-over-time vibe, adding depth that helps tell a story.”

Mismatching frames can be as wild or tame as you’d like. Maintain a bit of similarity by sticking to a singular color (or palette), finish, or material, then play with scale, shape, and thickness of the frame. Or bring in a pop of unexpected color with the frame itself, perhaps pulling from the artwork, for a real punch.

Intentionally consider how the frame interacts with the piece of art within rather than just slapping it in a matching one. “In an effort not to feel overly curated, this approach creates a more dynamic point of interest that draws the eye and encourages engagement with every piece,” says the designer. “By choosing frames of all types, you have the opportunity to express your individuality and style.”

A Case For Matching Frames

On the flip side, there is a time and place for matching frames. “A gallery wall with uniform framing can exude a sense of harmony and sophistication that feels clean, cohesive, and beautifully curated,” says Reynolds. “By using matching frames, you can create the perfect foundation to truly showcase the art or photos within each frame, ensuring they stand out without distraction.”

The designer recommends saving matching frames for things like a series of coordinating photo prints or when hanging multiple pieces by the same artist. The approach also works for a variety of pieces in a similar color palette or texture (as seen above). “There is an inherent simplicity with matching frames that can work within any design style—from modern to traditional,” he says. “They visually minimize clutter and encourage focus.”

How To Curate Your Gallery Wall

• Look around the room first. “We encourage collectors to take a step back from each vantage point and consider all of the finishes and pieces around your room—lamps, mirrors, hardware, windows, and rugs,” explains Schelke. “If your space is feeling busy, you can streamline with one frame style and finish. If you are looking to layer in more texture, a variety of frame sizes and styles will do just this.”
• Art is not one-size-fits-all. “Have fun and keep it original!” says the curator. Each person, piece, and space is unique and the frame should reflect that.
• Don’t grab the hammer and nails immediately. “Use painters tape and craft paper to mock up your wall,” adds Schelke. “It’s fun to live with the paper blocks and move them about like a puzzle to create your gallery wall.”
• Be mindful of scale and proportion. Reynolds says this practical tip is the key to making a mismatched gallery wall work. “Avoid clustering frames of the same size too closely together,” he says. “Instead, use the largest frames to anchor the gallery, whether in the middle or on the ends. And use the smaller pieces to fill in the gaps.”
• Don’t be afraid to edit! “Start with the pieces you love most and work out from there,” says Schelke.
• Let each piece work together to create something new. “One of the most important tips for a cohesive gallery wall is to view the collection of images as a single, unified art piece,” says Reynolds. “When arranging and centering your display, think of it holistically rather than as individual elements.”