Auto-Layout: Automated Gallery Wall Designs

Staring at a pile of frames wondering how they’ll fit together? GalleryPlanner’s Auto-Layout generates arrangements from your frame sizes and wall constraints, then ranks options by a look score. This guide explains how it works, when to use it, and how to get the best results.

What is Auto-Layout?

Auto-Layout is available on all plans (the Curated option is Pro) and automatically arranges frames from your included set. Its look score favors a clear anchor frame, larger frames toward the center with smaller frames outward, a compact outline, and balance around the center. It uses spacing regularity as a guard against extreme gaps, without rewarding mechanically even spacing. The Layout priority setting chooses whether to favor fitting more frames, a balance of completeness and appearance, or the best-looking result. Frames already on the wall are always kept.

Think of it as: A fast first draft you can tweak.

Auto-Layout or a Starter Layout? Auto-Layout arranges the frames you already have. If you’d rather start from a finished arrangement and match your frames to it, try a Starter Layout instead: over 100 ready-made designs under Add Frame → Layouts (on mobile, Layouts in the Library sheet). Many people do both: apply a Starter Layout, swap in their real sizes, then run Tidy Up to clean up the spacing.

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How Auto-Layout Works

Under the hood, Auto-Layout uses layout algorithms to solve the gallery wall layout problem. Here’s what happens when you click Generate Layouts:

1. Input Analysis

The algorithm reads your frame inventory:

• Frame dimensions (width × height)
• Quantity of each frame size
• Wall dimensions and constraints

2. Included Frames

The Included Frames selector controls which frames Auto-Layout is allowed to arrange:

• Placed Only: Rearranges just the frames already on your wall. Perfect for refining a design you’ve started.
• Placed + Staged (the default): Also pulls in staged frames — the ones parked off the wall’s edge with an amber STAGED badge — so your whole working set gets arranged.
• Placed + Staged + Inventory (shown as All Frames on mobile): Adds every unplaced frame from your inventory too, for the fullest possible arrangement.

Locked frames act as obstacles that others flow around. Wall Objects count as obstacles too, so TVs, windows, sofas, and other fixed features stay in place while the layout moves around them.

Note: Included Frames isn’t shown for Tidy Up, which only straightens what’s already on the wall.

3. Algorithm Selection

You can choose from seven layout options:

• Curated (Pro): Fits your frames into arrangements based on real gallery walls, placed near eye level (above the stairs on a staircase wall)
• Grid: Organizes frames into clean rows and columns
• Masonry: Creates a brick-like, staggered pattern
• Skyline: Aligns frames along top or bottom edges
• Organic: Grows a relaxed, asymmetrical cluster that feels collected over time
• Center Out: Arranges frames radiating outward from a center point
• Tidy Up: Gently aligns existing frames to a grid without scrambling them

4. Layout Generation

The algorithm places frames on your wall while respecting:

• Spacing rules: A consistent gap between frames (2 inches by default, adjustable)
• Frame placement: Keeping frames within the usable wall area and around obstacles
• Collision detection: Ensuring frames don’t overlap
• Wall boundaries: Keeping all frames within your wall dimensions
• Staircase geometry: Respecting the usable wall polygon when your wall type includes a staircase slope

5. Layout priority

Choose Fit more frames, Balanced, or Best looking. This setting is hidden when Curated or Tidy Up is selected. Balanced and Best looking can leave out optional staged or inventory frames. Frames already on the wall are always kept, and Require placing all frames makes every included frame required.

6. Result

You get a production-ready layout in seconds. Don’t love it? Click Regenerate Layouts for a fresh set of arrangements—each run can produce different results.

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The 7 Layout Options Explained

Each option creates a distinct aesthetic. Here’s a quick comparison:

Curated (Pro)

What it creates: Arrangements based on real-life gallery walls, filled with your own frames and placed near eye level (on a staircase wall, centered above the stairs).

Best for:

• A polished first draft when you don’t know where to start
• Mixed frame sizes that need a designed look
• Staircase walls: staircase-style layouts come first, turned to climb with the stairs, and centered above them

Design principle: Start from layouts that already work on real walls.

Pro tip: Curated is a GalleryPlanner Pro option. Free users see it first in the list with an upgrade prompt; every other option stays free.

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Grid

What it creates: Clean rows and columns with consistent alignment.

Best for:

• Modern, minimalist spaces
• Uniform frame sizes (e.g., all 8×10)
• Creating a sense of order and calm
• Photo walls with family portraits or travel pics

Design principle: Symmetry, structure, repetition.

Example: A 3×3 grid of black-framed family photos in a hallway.

Pro tip: Works best when you have multiples of the same frame size. Mixed sizes can create awkward gaps in grid layouts.

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Masonry

What it creates: A staggered, brick-like pattern with organic flow. Masonry builds outward from the center of your wall (or your Layout Zone), flowing naturally around Wall Objects and locked frames instead of packing everything into a corner.

Best for:

• Mixing different frame sizes
• Creating visual interest without strict symmetry
• Contemporary or eclectic interiors
• Salon-style walls with diverse content

Design principle: Asymmetry, rhythm, visual weight distribution.

Example: A living room wall with a mix of 5×7, 8×10, and 11×14 frames in various orientations.

Shape control: When Masonry is selected, a Shape control appears with four options — Ultra-wide, Wide (the default), Balanced, and Tall — to bias the arrangement toward wider rows or taller columns. Planning above a sofa? Try Ultra-wide. Filling a narrow slice of wall? Try Tall.

Pro tip: Masonry layouts work well with odd numbers of frames (5, 7, 9) for more dynamic compositions.

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Skyline

What it creates: Frames aligned along a horizontal edge (top or bottom), creating a “skyline” effect.

Best for:

• Linear, horizontal spaces (above a sofa, along a hallway)
• Emphasizing width rather than height
• Modern, architectural aesthetics
• Mixing tall and short frames

Design principle: Baseline alignment, horizontal rhythm.

Example: Frames of varying heights aligned at the bottom edge above a console table.

Pro tip: Skyline layouts draw the eye horizontally, which works well for narrow walls or low ceilings. On staircase walls, Skyline uses the real usable shelf widths along the slope.

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Organic

What it creates: A relaxed, asymmetrical cluster that feels collected over time. Frames sit one Spacing gap from a neighbor, the largest frame usually sits off to one side rather than in the middle, and edges are staggered instead of lined up in rows.

Best for:

• Mixed frame sizes and orientations
• A “collected over time” salon wall look
• When Center Out feels too centered and Masonry too orderly

Design principle: Frames are added one at a time against the growing cluster, at varied offsets, so no two layouts come out the same.

Example: Eight to twelve frames of mixed sizes gathered into one loose group, with the biggest piece anchoring one side.

Pro tip: Each run mixes tighter and looser arrangements. Click Regenerate Layouts a few times and compare. If Wall Objects or Layout Zones split your wall, Organic can start a second group on the other side.

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Center Out

What it creates: Frames arranged in a spiral pattern radiating outward from a central focal point.

Best for:

• Creating a dramatic, eye-catching statement wall
• Emphasizing a central piece (largest frame in the middle)
• Unique, artistic arrangements
• Rooms where the gallery wall is the main feature

Design principle: Radial symmetry, centrifugal flow.

Example: A large 16×20 frame in the center surrounded by progressively smaller frames spiraling outward.

Pro tip: Center Out layouts work best with a clear size hierarchy (one large central piece, medium frames, then small accents).

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Tidy Up

What it creates: A “cleaner” version of your current layout, snapped to your grid size (1 inch by default, adjustable).

Best for:

• Fixing slightly messy or unaligned frames
• Straightening out a manual layout
• When you like your general arrangement but want it to look “pro”
• Exploring slight variations of your current design

Design principle: Minimal displacement, grid alignment.

Example: You dragged frames onto the wall loosely. Tidy Up snaps them to the grid so they align cleanly.

Pro tip: Tidy Up generates up to 10 variations (4 on mobile devices) by slightly nudging frames before snapping. Cycle through them to find the one that best resolves any overlaps or awkward gaps!

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When to Use Auto-Layout

✅ Use Auto-Layout When:

• You have no idea where to start and need inspiration
• You’re working with many frames (5+) and manual placement feels overwhelming
• You want to explore different styles quickly
• You’re short on time and need a good-enough layout fast
• You want a strong baseline to customize further

❌ Skip Auto-Layout When:

• You have a very specific vision in mind that’s easy to execute manually
• You’re working with very few frames (2-3) where manual placement is faster (or filter Starter Layouts to 2-4 frames)
• Your frames have unconventional shapes or requirements that algorithms can’t handle
• You want complete creative control from start to finish

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Getting the Best Results from Auto-Layout

Tip 1: Build a Diverse Frame Library

Auto-Layout works best with variety:

• Mix sizes: Include small (4×6, 5×7), medium (8×10, 11×14), and large (16×20, 18×24) frames
• Mix orientations: Have both portrait and landscape options
• Mix quantities: Having multiples of some sizes (e.g., three 8×10 frames) gives the algorithm more flexibility

Example inventory for great results:

• 1× 16×20 (focal point)
• 2× 11×14 (supporting pieces)
• 3× 8×10 (filler frames)
• 4× 5×7 (accents)

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Tip 2: Try Multiple Algorithms

Each algorithm produces a different aesthetic. Don’t settle for the first result:

1. Click “Auto-Layout”
2. Start with Masonry or Organic
3. Then try Grid, Skyline, Center Out, and Tidy Up
4. Compare results and pick your favorite

Preview note: Auto-Layout sidebar thumbnails reflect your actual wall silhouette, including staircase walls, so the option cards give an honest preview before you apply a result.

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Tip 3: Run It Multiple Times

Most algorithms have randomness built in. Run the same algorithm 3-5 times to see different variations.

1. Click Generate Layouts
2. Don’t love it? Click Regenerate Layouts immediately
3. Each run produces a fresh layout with different frame positions

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Tip 4: Use Auto-Layout as a Starting Point

You don’t have to accept the layout exactly as generated:

1. Generate an Auto-Layout
2. Manually adjust frames that feel slightly off
3. Swap frames for different sizes if needed
4. Fine-tune spacing for your personal preference

Think of Auto-Layout as a first draft you can refine.

Tip 5: Adjust Wall Size if Layouts Feel Cramped

If Auto-Layout keeps producing crowded arrangements:

• Your wall might be too small for your frame inventory
• Try reducing the number of frames in your library
• Or increase your wall dimensions to give frames more breathing room

Rule of thumb: Your frames should cover about 60-70% of your wall area. If Auto-Layout uses 90%+, you likely have too many frames for that wall size.

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Auto-Layout vs. Manual Placement: When to Use Each

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Behind the Scenes: The Technical Details

For the data nerds and algorithm enthusiasts:

Organic Generator

Organic grows each layout from a single starting frame, a randomized form of contact-point packing:

1. Places a first frame near the center of the wall (or your Layout Zone)
2. Adds the remaining frames one at a time, each exactly one Spacing gap from a frame already placed, at a varied offset along its edge, avoiding Wall Objects and locked frames
3. Repeats this many times with different looseness settings, preferring layouts whose largest frame sits off-center and skipping duplicates

Why it’s powerful: Each frame joins its group at your chosen Spacing, so layouts stay connected and hangable while still looking unplanned. A second group starts only when a Wall Object, locked frame, or Layout Zone gap splits the wall.

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Skyline Generator

Inspired by the skyline packing problem from computer science:

1. Maintains a “skyline” (horizontal edge) as frames are placed
2. Places frames left-to-right, always aligning to the skyline
3. Updates the skyline as each frame is added
4. Optimizes for minimal height variance

Why it’s powerful: Guarantees clean horizontal alignment while maximizing space efficiency.

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Grid Generator

Uses a bin-packing algorithm to fit frames into grid cells:

1. Calculates optimal grid cell size based on frame dimensions
2. Assigns frames to cells, minimizing empty space
3. Centers the entire grid on the wall
4. Ensures uniform spacing between all frames

Why it’s useful: Produces clean, predictable results for symmetry-focused layouts.

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Troubleshooting Auto-Layout

“The Auto-Layout button says ‘Add frames first’.”

Solution: The button reads “Add frames first to use Auto-Layout.” until you have at least one frame to arrange. Add a frame (or, depending on your Included Frames setting, stage one or put one on the wall) and it switches to Generate Layouts. If it says “All frames locked. Unlock one to use Auto-Layout.”, unlock a frame, since locked frames are treated as obstacles.

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“Couldn’t fit the frames on the wall.”

Solution: Your frames are too large for your wall, spacing, or margins. Auto-Layout tells you right away instead of searching. Either:

• Reduce Spacing or Margin
• Reduce the number of frames in your library
• Increase your wall dimensions
• Remove a few of the largest frames
• Turn off Require placing all frames so Auto-Layout can leave some out

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“The layout looks too crowded.”

Solution:

• Manually remove 1-2 frames after generation
• Try a different algorithm (Skyline or Grid tend to be less dense than Masonry or Organic)
• Increase wall size

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“I keep getting the exact same layout.”

Solution: Some algorithms, like Grid and Tidy Up, give more similar results when your frames are the same size or already well aligned. Click Regenerate Layouts a few times, or try Organic or Masonry for more variation.

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What’s Next?

Now that you understand how Auto-Layout works, it’s time to put it into practice:

1. Launch GalleryPlanner and build your frame library
2. Experiment with all seven options to see their unique styles
3. Customize the generated layout to match your vision
4. Export your design and bring it to life!

Pinned Auto-Layouts (Pro)

Found an option you like but want to keep exploring? Pinned Auto-Layouts let you save a shortlist instead of screenshotting your favorites.

• Pin an option: Tap the pin icon on any generated layout card to save it to the Pinned Layouts list
• Compare and swap: Tap a pinned layout to apply it to your wall; tap another to swap arrangements — nothing gets lost
• Change warnings: If your wall or frames change after pinning, the pinned card shows a badge so you know the saved arrangement may no longer fit cleanly
• A session shortlist: Pins live on this device for your current session — switching projects or closing GalleryPlanner clears the shortlist, so apply your favorite (or export a snapshot) before you wrap up

Free users can still generate and apply layouts as many times as they like — pinning is how you keep several strong options in play at once.

Using Layout Zones (Pro)

Sometimes you already know the exact area of the wall you want Auto-Layout to use. That is where Layout Zones come in.

• Draw a Layout Zone on the wall to mark the usable region
• Run Auto-Layout inside the zone so frames stay within your chosen boundaries
• Use it for real-world obstacles like furniture, vents, openings, or any wall section you want to reserve
• Use Wall Objects when the obstacle itself should appear on the canvas as a TV, sofa, window, or other fixture

This is the Pro-friendly alternative to modeling every obstacle with placeholder frames when you want a cleaner planning workflow. Wall Objects are the better fit when you want the obstacle itself to live on the canvas.

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