Gather Materials and Plan Layout

What happens in this clip

Begin by gathering all the picture frames you intend to hang for your collage, along with a large sheet of paper (such as gift wrap, butcher paper, or a custom-made paper template) that is large enough to accommodate your entire desired layout. Lay the paper flat on a large surface, like a pool table, and arrange your picture frames on it in the desired aesthetic configuration. This allows you to visualize and adjust the spacing and arrangement before making any marks on the wall.

Goal: Arrange frames on a paper template to finalize the collage layout.

What's used

Tools

• Large Paper Sheet (Gift Wrap or Butcher Paper) Dollar Store (for gift wrap)
• Craft paper roll
• Newspaper taped together
• Picture Frames Various

About the full video

This project outlines a precise method for planning and hanging a picture collage or gallery wall using a paper template. By laying out and tracing frames onto a large sheet of paper, marking the exact hanging points, and then transferring this template to the wall, you can ensure perfect placement for multiple frames without guesswork or multiple attempts.

Step 3 of 8: Plan Gallery Wall Layout

Using the wall measurements, plan the arrangement of your artwork. Consider the angle of the staircase and how the eye will travel up or down the wall. You can sketch this out on paper, use a digital tool, or lay the pieces out on the floor first.

Open this step in the guide

Other videos for this step

• Plan Layout on the Floor
• Design and Mock-Up Gallery Wall