How to Mix and Match Different Prints

(Without It Looking Like a Jumble Sale)

'Heavyweight Champion of the World' print. Yellow with 'Heavyweight Champion of the World' in orange block font with brown shadow on an angle giving a 3D effect. Colour combo 6. Against tiled wall. Cropped. MaadWeb.

So, you’ve got a blank wall staring at you, looking a bit sad and in desperate need of some personality. You’ve also got a stash of prints – ones you’ve collected over the years, gifts from mates, or impulse buys from the best print designer that you couldn’t resist. Now, the challenge: how do you arrange them in a way that looks stylish and intentional rather than a chaotic explosion of colour and frames?

Mixing and matching different prints is an art – one that requires a bit of thought, a pinch of creativity, and just enough planning to avoid turning your living room into an eyesore. But don’t worry, it’s not as complicated as it sounds. Whether you want a sleek, modern gallery wall or an eclectic mishmash of everything you love, I’ve got you covered. Let’s get into it.

Table Of Contents
  1. How to Mix and Match Different Prints
  2. Step 1: Pick a Theme (Or At Least Pretend You Have One)
  3. Step 2: Frame It Right
  4. Step 3: Gallery Wall Layout Ideas: Plan Before You Hang
  5. Step 4: Mixing Sizes & Shapes
  6. Step 5: Play with Texture & Layers
  7. Step 6: The Hanging Dilemma – Nails, Tape, or Magic?
  8. Step 7: Step Back & Adjust
  9. Final Thoughts
  10. FAQ
  11. FURTHER READING….
  12. A Few of Our Products…
'Believe It or Not' print. The words 'Believe It or Not I'd Hit the Bottom For You' in black block capitals in a wavy style, on off-white background. The Royston Club inspired indie music wall art. Colour combo 1. On green apartment wall. MaadWeb.

Step 1: Pick a Theme (Or At Least Pretend You Have One)

Okay, so you don’t have to have a theme, but trust me, it makes life so much easier. A theme helps everything feel a little more intentional, rather than looking like you just stuck up every random print you’ve ever loved and hoped for the best. Here are a few go-to themes that work like a charm:

  • Colour Cohesion – Stick to a similar colour palette, even if the subject matter varies wildly. That way, even if one print is a vintage railway poster and another is an abstract splash of paint, they’ll still work together.
  • Black and White with a Pop – A classic, timeless look. Mix black-and-white prints with a single pop of colour – maybe a bold red or a vibrant blue – to create contrast without overwhelming the space.
  • Eclectic Madness – If you’re the kind of person who likes to break the rules, go all out with an eclectic mix of styles, colours, and subjects. The key to making it work? Keep something consistent – maybe all the same frame type or a similar spacing pattern.
  • Typography & Quotes – Love a good quote? Mixing type-based prints with abstract art or photography can create a look that’s both stylish and personal. Just be mindful of font overload – nobody wants a wall that looks like a PowerPoint presentation. We’ve got some great music lyric wall art if you fancy it?

And if you really can’t decide on a theme? Just pick prints you love and pretend they were always meant to go together. Confidence is key!

Step 2: Frame It Right

Frames are so underrated when it comes to tying a gallery wall together. They can completely change the vibe of your prints and make the whole setup look polished.

  • Matching Frames – If you want your wall to look sleek and cohesive, using the same style of frame throughout is a great way to make different prints feel connected.
  • Mismatched Frames – This is for the cool kids. Mixing ornate, modern, and vintage frames gives your wall a collected-over-time feel – just make sure there’s a method to the madness, like keeping them all the same colour.
  • No Frames at All – Not a fan of frames? No problem. Washi tape, poster rails, bulldog clips – there are loads of ways to hang prints that feel relaxed and effortless.

Remember, the frame is like the outfit for your art – so dress it accordingly!

'Hips Don't Lie' Print. Off-white with a black silhouette with hands on hips and the words 'My Hips Don't Lie' in multi colour across the body shape. Shakira inspired music wall art. Colour Combo 8. On workshop wall. MaadWeb.

Step 3: Gallery Wall Layout Ideas: Plan Before You Hang

Unless you really enjoy patching up holes in your wall (or explaining them to your landlord), planning your layout beforehand is a smart move.

The Easy Way:

  1. Lay your prints out on the floor in the same arrangement you want on the wall.
  2. Take a photo for reference – trust me, you will forget what looked good if you don’t.
  3. Play around with the order until it feels balanced and visually interesting.

The Advanced Way (For Perfectionists):

  1. Cut out paper templates the same size as your prints and tape them to the wall.
  2. Step back and tweak the arrangement until it feels just right.
  3. Once you’re happy, use the templates as a guide for where to hang your prints – no guesswork required!

And if all else fails, grab a mate, hand them some tape, and make them suffer through the decision-making process with you.

'I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor' Print. How to mix and match different prints on a wall (without it looking like a jumble sale) - featuring a variety of typography and colourful art prints in a cohesive living room layout.

Step 4: Mixing Sizes & Shapes

A good gallery wall isn’t just about what you put up – it’s also about how you arrange everything. Variety is your best friend here.

  • Big Pieces as Anchors – Start with your largest print and build around it. It’ll help ground the whole arrangement.
  • Odd Numbers Work Best – Something about odd numbers just looks better – three, five, or seven pieces together tend to feel more natural than even numbers.
  • Balance the Visual Weight – If all your bold, colourful, busy prints are bunched up on one side, the wall is going to feel lopsided. Spread them out so that everything feels balanced.

A little visual trickery never hurt anyone!

'Ta-Ra A Bit' Print. Off white with 'Ta-Ra a Bit' in multi colour block capital letters with a black shadow in a cartoon-y comic book font. Birmingham, West Midlands wall art. Colour combo 1. Against tiled wall. MaadWeb.

Step 5: Play with Texture & Layers

Want to take things to the next level? Don’t just stick to paper prints – mix in some unexpected elements to add depth and interest.

  • Floating Shelves – A great way to layer prints with books, candles, or plants for a more dynamic look.
  • Textiles – A woven wall hanging or fabric piece can break up all the frames and add warmth to the space.
  • Neon Signs or Mirrors – A little neon glow or a strategically placed mirror can add personality and light to your gallery wall.

Think of it as adding accessories to an outfit – small details can completely transform the look.

'Dakota' Print. Off-white background with the word 'Dakota' in alternating blue and red letters, and 'You Make me feel like the one' in blue. Stereophonics 'Dakota'-inspired music lyric wall art. Colour Combo 1. On living room wall. MaadWeb.

Step 6: The Hanging Dilemma – Nails, Tape, or Magic?

There’s more than one way to get your prints up on the wall, so pick whatever works best for your space (and your DIY skills).

  • Command Strips – Perfect for renters or commitment-phobes who like to switch things up often.
  • Picture Rails – A fancy but flexible option that lets you move things around without making a million holes in the wall.
  • Classic Hammer & Nails – If you’re in it for the long haul, the traditional method is still a solid choice – just make sure you measure twice before hammering once.

And if all else fails? Leaning prints against the wall is a valid aesthetic choice. No effort required.

'I Know It's Only Rock 'n' Roll But I Like It' print. Top half pink, bottom half blue, with the words 'I Know It's Only... But I like it' in off-white, retro font, and the words 'Rock 'n' Roll' in yellow wavy text across the middle. Colour Combo 8. On kitchen wall. MaadWeb.

Step 7: Step Back & Adjust

Once everything is up, take a step back and look at the whole wall. Does it feel balanced? Is there too much space in one area and not enough in another? If something feels off, don’t be afraid to tweak it! Sometimes a tiny adjustment can make all the difference.

Also, take a moment to admire your handiwork. You did that. You’re basically an interior design genius now.

Final Thoughts

Putting together a gallery wall is a little bit of science, a little bit of art, and a lot of personal taste. The trick is to make it look intentional, even if you’re making it up as you go along. So go ahead – gather up those prints, start arranging, and transform that blank wall into a masterpiece.

And remember: if you mess it up the first time, there’s always Polyfilla.

Happy decorating!

Rock ‘n’ Roll Star wall art. Neon city skyline Oasis lyric print I Live My Life in the City design - On apartment wall

Shop now and give your room the glow-up it deserves!

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A Few of Our Products…

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