I Tried the “Cluster Method” of Hanging Art, and It Was So Gorgeous
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When I see blank walls, I feel like they’re just begging for some kind of artwork. Not only can art make a space seem more polished and personal, but it also can provide a focal point in a room or a jumping-off point for a color palette. And yes, art pieces are great conversation starters, too.
Creating an entire gallery wall can seem daunting, though. You have to pick out a bunch of pieces to frame and hang, trying to make sure they have some sort of visual connection without the arrangement seeming too matchy-matchy. That’s why I’ve been all about the “gallery cluster” trend or the “cluster method” of hanging art these days. You get all the visual impact of a gallery wall with less pressure to fill each and every corner of an area. It’s what I tried in my stairwell at home, and it couldn’t be easier. I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to a regular gallery wall ever again!
Day 17: Find and frame some art.
The “cluster method” hinges on selecting and showcasing just a few pieces of art. You can start this process today, and I’d suggest at least three or so individual items to create a true “cluster.”
Step 1: Find some art.
First, you have to decide what you are going to hang as art. You may already have something on hand — a watercolor you bought on vacation, a vintage portrait painting, a special photo, or a piece of kids’ artwork. If you don’t, thrift store or flea market shopping may be the way to go for sourcing; you can find plenty of artwork there, and these spots are also good sources for bargain frames (but more on that later). Artist-created prints are also easy to come by on sites like Minted, Artfully Walls, and Society 6 (and you’ll save by just buying the print versus a finished framed piece, if you’re on a tight budget).
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box on what art can be, too. Maybe you’d like to hang a scrap of pretty fabric or a matchbook from your favorite bar or restaurant? These items require a little more skill to frame, but they’re doable.
Step 2: Frame it.
Now it’s time to frame your piece(s) of art. Start by measuring your piece(s) and decide whether you want matting or not — and if the answer is yes, determine what color, size, and style of mat would make your piece shine best. Have a frame on hand? Use it, if it works. Otherwise, a trip to a craft store like Michaels or a home decor store like IKEA, Target, Crate & Barrel, or Pottery Barn should do the trick.
Want to go custom? You can send a piece out to services like Framebridge, Simply Framed, and Frameology, which will walk you through the process. This might be a good move if you are trying to frame something that’s not perfectly flat. These brands can also print and frame photos from your camera roll, if you don’t want to do that yourself either.
If you go the DIY route, you’ll probably want to give any frame you’re using a thorough clean first. Spritz both sides of the glass, wipe them down to remove dust, and then let it dry before carefully placing the work into the frame. Make sure you don’t leave any streaks behind!
Step 3. Hang it up.
Ready to hang? Go for it, but not without taking a few precautions first. It’s a good idea to know what kind of walls you’re working with (drywall, plaster, etc.) so you choose the correct hanging hardware for that material. You can also try Command strips if you’re in a rental or just leery of making holes in your walls. Make sure you measure twice before placing your piece up on the wall; placement of the first piece is key for a gallery cluster.
Step 4: Repeat to create a gallery cluster.
Now, the really fun part — building out a cluster of frames on your wall! Like I said earlier, I’d aim for at least three pieces to truly get the cluster effect. But the fun part about trying a gallery cluster is that unlike a gallery wall, you don’t have to be super precise about your planning.
You can put up one piece and start building a cluster organically around it. Or you can plot a simple arrangement to start with it, and add to it as you acquire pieces that speak to you. I went with the latter method for my staircase, and I’ve been introducing things here and there as I acquire them. And unlike a gallery wall, where the goal is truly to fill a good portion of the blank space, gallery clusters are meant to be more asymmetrical and looser. I’ve seen staircases that are filled from floor-to-ceiling with frames, and that’s not what I’m going for here. I just want a cluster of frames to create a little moment on my landing.
The final step? Enjoying your art. And maybe finding, framing, and hanging a few more pieces, now that it doesn’t feel as daunting as it maybe once did.
PRO TIP: Take the time to make paper templates for your frames; use painter’s tape to play with your initial cluster configuration so you get the placement just-right. That way, you’ll have a great starting point that you can add onto later, if you choose to keep growing your gallery cluster.
Share your framed art in the community forum.
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Further Reading
We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
