# 3-Frame Gallery Wall Layout

> A three-frame layout: an 8×10 with a 5×7 mat balanced by two stacked 4×6 frames with 3×5 mats. At about 17" square it's the simplest way to start a gallery wall.

A free Starter Layout in GalleryPlanner.

## Specs
- Frame count: 3
- Wall space needed: About 17" W × 17" H
- Best for: First gallery walls, above a nightstand or dresser, entryways, and small offices
- Wall size: 72" × 96"

## Frames to buy
- 1× 8×10 frame with a 5×7 mat opening
- 2× 4×6 frames with a 3×5 mat opening

## Frame breakdown
Numbered in Hanging Guide order.

| # | Size | Mat opening | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 4×6 Portrait | 3×5 | Lower 4×6 — the bottom of the small stack |
| 2 | 4×6 Portrait | 3×5 | Upper 4×6 — tops the small stack, matching the one below |
| 3 | 8×10 Portrait | 5×7 | 8×10 — the larger frame the stack balances against |

## How to use this layout
Three frames is the easiest gallery wall to get right, and this layout shows why. An 8×10 with a 5×7 mat (#3) sits beside two stacked 4×6 frames with 3×5 mats (#1 and #2). The larger frame sits centered against the two-frame stack, so the two sides balance even though the sizes differ.

The whole group covers roughly 17" by 17", with about 2" between frames. That fits above a nightstand or dresser, in an entryway, or on a small office wall. It's also a good first gallery wall: three frames, three nails, and a result that looks planned.

The mats give every photo a clean border, which matters more when there are only three pieces. Try one larger photo with two smaller details from the same moment, a portrait with two candids, or a print with two related photos. For a matched look, keep all three frames in the same finish.

## Install notes
Hang the 8×10 (#3) first, centered at about 57"–60" from the floor, or 8"–10" above the furniture below it. Then hang the two 4×6 frames to its left, about 2" away, with the stack centered on the 8×10's vertical center.

Space the two small frames about 2" apart, and line up their left edges so the stack reads as one column. If you're hanging above furniture, center the whole group on the furniture, not just the 8×10.

With only three frames, small errors are easy to see, so level each frame as you go. The Hanging Guide gives From Left, From Floor, and Center measurements for all three, so you can mark everything before drilling. The full Hanging Guide is a Pro export; free accounts can preview it.

## Related guides
- [Gallery Walls for Small Spaces](https://gallery-planner.com/learn/gallery-walls-for-small-spaces.md): Gallery wall ideas for narrow hallways, small bathrooms, above-desk nooks, and tight walls with vertical layouts, low-profile frames, and mirror tricks that keep the room feeling open.
- [Gallery Wall Spacing: How Far Apart to Hang Frames](https://gallery-planner.com/learn/spacing-and-alignment-tips.md): How far apart should gallery wall frames be? Start with 2 to 3 inches and keep it consistent. Spacing by frame size, how to line up edges and centers, and the in-app spacing guides, Align, and Distribute tools.
- [Gallery Wall Layout Sizes: A Frame-Size Guide](https://gallery-planner.com/learn/choosing-frame-sizes.md): Plan a gallery wall layout with sizes that feel balanced and intentional. Learn how to mix small, medium, and oversized frames scaled correctly for your space, furniture, and viewing distance.

## Use this layout
- [Open GalleryPlanner](https://gallery-planner.com/app): pick "3-Frame Gallery Wall Layout" from Starter Layouts, then swap in your own frames and photos.
- [All example layouts](https://gallery-planner.com/examples.md): the full list, grouped by room.