THE ART OF CREATING A BEAUTIFUL GALLERY WALL
A well-designed gallery wall adds instant sophistication and personality. Here’s how to curate one with depth, cohesion and lasting impact.
2 min
A well-curated gallery wall is more than a collection of framed pieces; it’s a personal design statement, an artistic focal point and a conversation starter all in one.
When done right, it can bring sophistication, personality and energy to any space.
Whether you’re showcasing collected art, photography or prints, here’s how to create a gallery wall that looks expertly designed and effortlessly impressive.
Start with a story, not just a style
The most compelling gallery walls are intentional. Before you start selecting pieces, think about the story you want the wall to tell. Is it about travel? Family? Colour? Abstract expression? A curated wall with a common theme, even a loose one, will always feel more cohesive and elevated.
Mix mediums, not just frames
A gallery wall becomes truly dynamic when you blend different mediums, think photography, fine art prints, line drawings, vintage pieces or even textiles and sculptural elements. This mix creates visual depth and prevents the wall from feeling flat or formulaic. That said, keep the framing consistent. Choose one or two finishes such as black, natural wood or brass and repeat them to maintain visual unity across diverse works.
Map out your layout before hanging
This step is essential. Lay your frames on the floor first, or create cutouts of each frame size using paper and tape them to the wall. This helps you visualise the arrangement and perfect the spacing. Remember, gallery walls don’t have to be symmetrical; asymmetrical layouts with balanced spacing and varied heights can be even more striking. Aim for a five to 10 centimetre gap between frames for a polished look.
Anchor with a hero piece
Every gallery wall needs a focal point, a larger or bolder piece that anchors the eye. This could be a vivid abstract, a stunning black and white photograph or a meaningful artwork. Place it slightly off centre and build your layout around it, using smaller supporting pieces to create flow.
Think about the room’s architecture
Consider the wall’s scale and position in the home. A gallery wall above a sofa or console table should extend slightly beyond the width of the furniture for balance. In hallways or staircases, follow the line of the stairs or elongate vertically for dramatic effect. Ensure there’s breathing room around the gallery so it doesn’t feel cramped.
Layer in personal touches
To elevate your gallery wall from simply stylish to truly stunning, add personal elements, a candid travel photo, an old family snapshot or a postcard from your favourite gallery. When paired with more formal or high-end pieces, these touches humanise the space and draw people in.
Let lighting do the final work
If you really want to impress your visitors, consider gallery-style lighting. Picture lights, ceiling-mounted spotlights or subtle LED strips can highlight individual works and give the entire wall a refined, gallery-like finish. Lighting enhances texture, adds warmth and brings your curated collection to life.
Final styling tip
A gallery wall should never feel too perfect; the beauty is in its layered, collected feel. Don’t be afraid to evolve it over time. Add new pieces, swap out prints or reframe works for a refresh. The most striking gallery walls are living stories, designed with care, character and just a little bit of flair.
Kellie Richardson is an Interior Designer and Founder of Kurved by Design
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King Living has unveiled a modular version of its Aura Sofa, bringing greater flexibility to the sculptural design collection as demand grows for furniture that can adapt to changing lifestyles.
2 min
Australian furniture brand King Living has expanded its Aura Collection with the launch of a new modular sofa designed to blend contemporary aesthetics with adaptable living.
The Aura Sofa builds on the success of the Aura Island range, first introduced in 2023, which included indoor and outdoor sofas as well as fixed and swivel occasional chairs.
The latest evolution introduces modular functionality to the collection, allowing homeowners to configure the sofa to suit a variety of spaces and uses.
As living spaces continue to evolve, particularly in urban environments where flexibility is increasingly valued, furniture designers are placing greater emphasis on products that can adapt over time.
King Living says the new Aura Sofa has been developed with this trend in mind, enabling customers to create corner, L-shaped or U-shaped layouts, while also allowing additional modules to be added as needs change.
King Living founder David King said the original Aura concept began as an exploration of sculptural design before being reimagined as a modular system.
“Aura began as an exploration of sculptural form. Now, we’ve brought modularity into that design language, giving the freedom to reimagine your space with a modular design made for flexibility,” he said.
The collection’s defining feature remains its soft, flowing silhouette, with curved forms replacing traditional angular sofa designs.
The company describes the sofa as a response to changing lifestyles, where living rooms increasingly serve multiple purposes, from entertaining guests and family gatherings to quiet reading corners and work-from-home spaces.
Its rounded profile and minimalist aesthetic are intended to enhance the flow of contemporary interiors while maximising available space. According to the company, the design is equally suited to compact apartments and larger open-plan homes.
“Today, living space is both a luxury and a constraint. Aura is our response, a purposeful design that proves when intention and fluidity converge, the result can feel both expansive and refined,” King said.
Beyond aesthetics, the new sofa incorporates several engineering features synonymous with the King Living brand.
These include the company’s Postureflex steel suspension system, extra-high pocket springs and its signature steel frame, which is backed by a 25-year warranty. The company says the design has been engineered to deliver long-term comfort and durability.
Sustainability has also been a focus of the design. Each module features a removable cover that can be professionally cleaned, repaired or replaced individually, reducing the need to replace an entire sofa and potentially extending the product’s lifespan.
The Aura Sofa is available made to order in a range of premium fabrics and European leathers, allowing customers to tailor the piece to different interior styles and colour palettes.
Designed, manufactured and sold exclusively by King Living, the Aura Sofa launched in showrooms and online early this month, marking the latest addition to the Australian company’s growing portfolio of modular furniture designs.
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