This Incredible DIY Hack Gets You a Stunning Gallery Wall for Less than $100

A gallery wall has a way of commanding your attention — and it’s fair to spend minutes (maybe even a lot of minutes) gazing up at the framed memorabilia. These timeless, at-home exhibitions, as we could call them, unfortunately sometimes cost a lot of money. 

Not only do you have to invest in expensive framing, but printing the photos is also a cost. However, therapist Valerie Moore found an inexpensive way to create a gallery wall in her cozy Connecticut apartment. The project was the proudest DIY in her home, and it only cost around $100.

“I love that I can change out the pictures at any time, and I have the ability to add to the wall,” Moore said in her house tour. “When I was growing up, my mother and family members always had pictures of beautiful Black art in their homes, and I knew that I wanted to incorporate that in my space.” 

Learn how Moore created a stunning gallery wall in her home and how to get the hack for less. 

Moore purchased 16 large document frames from Walmart that only cost her $1.22 per item. If you don’t have a Walmart near you, there are plenty of other inexpensive places to buy frames — like searching for sentimental, unique frames from your nearest thrift store. 

Moore bought a pack of white cardstock for just under $4 from Walmart to achieve that classic, sophisticated gallery wall look. And here’s a pro tip: If you can’t find cardstock, look for acid-free mat paper, usually found at your local craft store. 

Moore visited her local CVS, which she says has the “best photo coupon codes,” to print 16 photos in a 6×8 size. She included pictures of influential, powerful women like Venus and Serena Williams and Rihanna. And that’s one of the best parts of a gallery wall: You can choose however you want to fill your frames.

Command Strips were a great, renter-friendly alternative to hanging the photos with nails, and Moore chose to hang her pictures symmetrically, going four across and four down. However, it’s not just the frames you can have fun with — you can also include sentimental items that aren’t photos on your gallery wall. 

This gallery wall is just one aspect of Moore’s light-filled, calming Connecticut apartment. To see more, visit the full house tour.