Gallery wall above a bed: sizing, height and spacing

A gallery wall above a bed is often the first thing you see when you walk into a bedroom, so it is worth getting right. The common mistakes are the same as above a sofa: the art is too narrow for the bed, it floats too high above the headboard, or the gaps are uneven. Over a bed there is one more: frames that are not hung securely over the pillows. Below you will find the measurements to start from for a bedroom gallery wall, two example layouts, how to hang the frames safely, and how to try the result on a photo of your own wall with WallMoment.

The quick rules for a gallery wall above a bed

• Width: make the whole arrangement about two thirds to three quarters of the bed's width, measured at the headboard.
• Gap above the headboard: leave roughly 6 to 10 inches between the top of the headboard and the bottom of the lowest frames.
• Gap between frames: keep about 2 to 3 inches, and make it the same everywhere.
• Center: center the arrangement on the bed, not on the wall. If the bed sits off to one side, the art follows the bed.

Treat these numbers as rules of thumb and a starting point. Your headboard, ceiling height and bedside lamps may call for small changes.

Work out the width

Measure the headboard at its widest point. A headboard is often wider than the mattress, so measure it rather than going by the bed size. With no headboard, measure the width of the bed frame instead. Multiply that width by two thirds and by three quarters to get a range for the full width of the arrangement, including the frames and the gaps between them.

For example, a 60 inch wide headboard gives a range of about 40 to 45 inches. A 76 inch wide headboard gives about 51 to 57 inches.

Work out the height

Start from the top of the headboard and leave roughly 6 to 10 inches before the lowest frame. Then check the space above: keep a clear margin between the top of the arrangement and the ceiling or any crown molding, so the group does not look squeezed. If the band between the headboard and the ceiling is short, use one row instead of two, or smaller pieces, rather than shrinking the gaps.

With no headboard, measure from the top of the mattress instead and leave extra room so pillows and your head clear the frames, while keeping the art low enough that it still reads as part of the bed. Art hung near the ceiling looks disconnected from the bed below it.

Example sizes for two common widths

These examples use print sizes WallMoment offers. A frame adds to the outside dimensions, so measure the framed size once you know the frame.

• For a 60 inch headboard: three 12″ × 16″ pieces in portrait, side by side with 2 inch gaps. The prints are 12 + 12 + 12 = 36 inches wide, plus 4 inches of gaps, for 40 inches in total, at the low end of the range so the frames have room.
• For a 76 inch headboard: a pair of 18″ × 24″ pieces in landscape with a 3 inch gap. The prints are 24 + 24 = 48 inches wide, plus 3 inches, for 51 inches in total.

WallMoment's print sizes run from 8″ × 10″ to 24″ × 36″, in portrait or landscape, so you can also build a larger group around one anchor piece.

Which layout works above a bed

• Symmetrical: a mirrored, balanced arrangement. It suits a centered bed with matching bedside tables or lamps.
• Single Row: one horizontal line. It suits the wide, short band of wall above most headboards.
• Diptych / Triptych: two or three matched pieces. The simplest option above a bed and the easiest to hang level.
• Gallery Grid: a clustered arrangement with a hero piece. It works when there is more height above the headboard and you want a focal point.

For a longer comparison, read gallery wall layouts.

Hang it securely

Over a bed, how the frames are hung matters more than anywhere else in the house. Use wall anchors or hooks rated for the weight of each frame and suited to your wall, and consider two hooks per frame so pieces stay level. Keep the heaviest pieces away from the spot directly above the pillows, and check the fixings now and then. If you rent, follow the weight rating and surface rules on any adhesive strips.

Frame choice

WallMoment frames come in Black, Natural or White, or you can choose No Frame and use your own. In a bedroom, one frame color across the whole group tends to feel restful. Natural can sit well with a wooden headboard, and black or white can pick up the bedding or the bedside lamps.

Mistakes to avoid above a bed

• Centering the art on the wall when the bed is off center.
• Hanging the arrangement so high that it floats away from the headboard.
• Making the group wider than the headboard.
• Uneven gaps between frames, which are easy to see against the straight top edge of a headboard.
• Hooks or anchors that are not rated for the frame, directly above where you sleep.

Preview it on your own wall

Once you have your measurements, the easiest way to see how an arrangement will look is to preview it on your actual wall. Take a photo of the wall with the bed in it and upload it to the gallery wall planner. WallMoment draws a complete arrangement on that photo and is instructed to place the art on empty wall space, clear of windows, doors and furniture. Try another theme or layout, or regenerate or edit a single piece, then order the prints framed or unframed. Planning is free and needs no account. You create a free account when you order.

For the step-by-step process behind any gallery wall, see how to plan a gallery wall. Planning a living room too? Read the guide to a gallery wall above a couch.