DIY Gallery Wall Tutorial

This is a very easy & fun

tutorial on how to create a gallery wall

for under $40.

What you need to start

 MDF

8-8" x 8" squares

8-16" x 16" squares

Check with your local hardware

 or wood supply store because some will

actually cut the wood for you.

Large Squares First

 

What you will need

8- 16" x 16" MDF squares

paint- I used Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in French Linen, click here to find it.

(the initial investment of this is $$ but I only used

1/8 of the can so I have lots left over for another project)

wall fix or wood putty

small roller

fine sandpaper
cream craft paint

Fill those imperfections with wall fix & sand.

Next on to the paint.

 Roll on the edges first, I think it is easier.

Let dry.

 Roll on the top coat.

Two coats should do it.

 This is the fun part.

 Sand it to get the texture you want.

Go lightly until you get a motion that you like.

I liked the texture best when I gently went in a circular motion. 

The areas you miss will be darker,

which is what you want if you like the textured look.

To get the edges to have some depth

use a squirt of cream craft paint and mix in a few drops of water.

Dip your finger in the paint & gently wipe the edges unevenly

&

then sand over the edges so it looks blended.

Put these to the side.

We are on to the exciting part.

Photos On Wood

 What you will need

8-8" x 8" MDF squares

Tacky Spray

Mod Podge spray

Mod Podge glue

Mod Podge roller & scraper

wall fix

 plain white computer paper

8 photos

Pic Monkey free photo shop

(it is amazing & really free, FYI I used the sepia & dusk)

exacto knife

chalk paint

roller

Again, roll out the edges first.

Next the photos

 I printed mine 8" x 10" keeping in mind

that a portion of the longer side would be cut off.

To get an idea for placement of photo on the wood

place it on top of your square

press & crease the paper were you want it.

Spray an even coat of Tacky Spray on the square

& guide your photo on top.

Press evenly with palms.

Use the scraper or roller

 &  press or roll firmly get air bubbles out.

Use exacto knife to cut off excess paper.

Flip the wood over & cut.

Be sure your knife is sharp so you get a clean edge.

Give time to dry.

 Time to seal the picture.

 

Spray all of your photos first with the Mod Podge spray

(less bleeding that way.)

 

Then roll on 2 coats of Mod Podge glue.

Let dry.

Hanging Them

Larger Squares First

Make sure to measure the middle

&

place your hanger the same space from the top.

 Then Photo Squares

Same idea, place hangers in the same location on each.

 The 16" x 16" will mount to the wall

&

the photo square will mount on top on that.

That way it is removable in case you decide to change the photo.

 

 Knowing the hangers were evenly

placed made for simple hanging when I was ready to hang the gallery wall.

In case you were wondering there is

1.5 inches in between each photo, horizontally & vertically.

 Please feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions at all.

Happy Friday everyone

&

thank you for taking time out of your day to stop by!

-Jen