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Simple {and cheap} Gallery Wall


Gallery walls are everywhere right now, and I cannot get enough of them!  They are so great because each and every one is different.  You can customize it to any size of wall or area.  They are just about the most versatile way to cover a large space in your home.   I already have two in my house and am thinking about doing another!
Although, I am always drawn to symmetry, and after looking around my house I realized every wall was symmetrical! It's not that I did this on purpose, I just really like things to be in line and balanced! Maybe it's the Libra in me. ;)
Here are just a few examples around our house of my balanced obsession.

Ok... I see a theme here, so once I realized that all of my walls were basically the same, I decided to do something different in our bathroom.  I was so excited about this easy project because it was so CHEAP! And all it took was a can of spray paint and some old frames.  I am always picking up frames at garage sales and thrift stores because they are usually always under a dollar.

After I spray painted all of the frames, which were different sizes and shapes, I arranged them into what I thought would look the best.  Even though gallery walls aren't always symmetrical, I still wanted to have balance.  I tried to evenly distribute the size of the frames and the shapes to create that.   I arranged them on the floor, and took a picture to use as a guide when hanging them.  And yes, that is carpet in a bathroom, yuk! Who puts carpet beside a bathtub??   I guess the builder didn't think about a 2 year old taking a bath in there and making a wave pool out of it, sometimes  I think I should wear a swim suit just to give him a bath so you can imagine how the carpet looks when we're done! lol!


So anyway, you can also use paper as a guide to hanging, but that was an extra step in the process I didn't do because the quicker the better for me!
Usually I start projects out just as a test, and those seem to be the ones I like the most.  That was the case with this project.  I just kind of eyeballed it instead of pressuring myself to make it perfect, and I love how it turned out!
Now I don't have a before picture of our bathroom but I will give you this picture and you can see what color was on the walls before.  Dark Blue.  ugh.  It was like a cave in our bathroom, it is already small and the dark paint closed it in even more. Not only that, it was flat paint, so every little water spot showed.  That will be the last time I buy a can of paint just because it's on clearance for $5. Just saying. ;)
Warning: adorable baby alert - this is the only picture I could find of our bathroom, plus it gives me an excuse to reminisce about how my tiny, chubby baby is already 3. years. old.  whaa.
If you were able to look past the chubby baby smiling adorably at you, then you can see how dark the paint was to begin with! I'm so glad it's gone!   
We painted over this with primer first, then painted it a light blue.  

Ok, now I have the frames painted, arranged, and hung and this is how it looks!   So much brighter, cheerier, bigger, and just overall makes me happy when I walk in there!  

This was one of the cheapest things I could have done as a DIY wall decor, which makes me love it even more than I already do! The total cost was around $8 I think.  But to have a bathroom that is soft, relaxing, and makes me sigh when I look at it, is priceless! :)
Thanks for stopping by and checking it out! 
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19 comments:

  1. Wow! Great job! I keep talking about doing a gallery wall... I need to get on it. I love that the frames are empty!

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  2. I love that! And, going on your first "gut instinct" proved the perfect solution. Personally, I wouldn't have changed a thing about the arrangement! And the new color of your bathroom? Just one word: Yes!

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  3. It turned out great! Really love it! I'm always having problem with how I should hang frames! Yours look really nice!

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  4. this is so pretty! I like the simplicity of it. Thanks for posting it!

    Jennifer @ www.mefancy.blogspot.com

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  5. i adore blank frames!!! this fits perfectly in your space!

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  6. I LOVE THIS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The wall color is amazing!! I just love the frames!!

    Please share this over on my blog.. PLEASE
    http://thediydreamer.blogspot.com/2012/02/from-dream-to-reality-linky-party-4.html

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  7. Really like this! It is so soft and fits in perfectly with the baby blue paint on the wall:)

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  8. Beautiful wall. Thanks so much for sharing at our Pin'Inspiration party. Liked you so much that you are going to be a feature this week. Pop by and grab a button when you have a second :0)

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  9. Popping over from Tip Junkie. I adore these frames, what a great space you've created. Following via GFC.

    Kelly @ herringbone lane

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  10. Wow! The wall looks great! And it's VERY difficult to look past that cute baby!!!

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  11. Awesome!!! I love the wall color and the frames look sooo good! I have a symmetry obsession also, but these frames are magazine worthy!

    Thanks for linking it up @ Creatively Living!
    I'll be featuring this on FB later this week!

    --Katie

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  12. It came out soooo beautiful & for $8 it is even more gorgeous! I love your paint color too.

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  13. Love this!!! I did an open wall frame over my mantel and now I'm wanting to move it to another location. I couldn't decide where but this just gave me the idea!!! Thanks!

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  14. Love this look-really creative-following you from TDC-stop by for a visit! ps-adorable chubby baby!!

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  15. Love that baby! (Your wall too.) LOL

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  16. Simply gorgeous. I wouldn't have thought of frames by themselves, but it works great and beautiful baby by the way!

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  17. I am into Gallery walls and open frames too! I am loving these white ones!

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  18. I love the gallery in your bathroom! We are your newest follower! we would love for you to check out our blog.
    http://mybest-friendsblog.blogspot.com/

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