How to repair minor damage on a wall

When you start renovating, the first thing to do is to remove all the nails, screws, and dowels. There’s a simple trick for plastic inserts: lightly screw the screw back into the insert, then carefully pull it out along with the insert using pliers. This prevents further damage to the wall.

Then clean the surface with a cloth and a mild cleaner, remove dust and other debris, and, if necessary, lightly sand any areas where the paint has started to peel. If the wall is in good condition and the paint isn't peeling, applying a primer is usually not necessary. For older, more absorbent, or heavily damaged walls, however, it is recommended to use a primer, as it evens out the absorbency of the surface and helps create a more uniform finish.

You can fill small holes, scratches, and cracks with acrylic putty or plaster. Since the compound may shrink slightly during drying, apply a thin layer of the SPEKTRA Level Fine levelling compound for a perfectly smooth finish. Apply the compound to the damaged area using a putty knife, smooth it out, and remove any excess material.

Once the compound is completely dry, lightly sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to create a smooth and even transition with the rest of the wall. Then dust the wall again.

Although it may seem enough to repaint only the area being repaired, in most cases this does not ensure an even finish, especially on walls with subtle colour variations. The difference between the old and new paint is often immediately noticeable, since the part of the wall beneath the picture is shielded from light and usually retains a slightly more intense shade than the rest of the surface. For the most uniform final look, it is usually best to repaint the entire wall.

Creating a home gallery: from an empty wall to an aesthetic whole

Once the wall is ready, you can move on to the more creative part of the renovation. With a careful arrangement of artwork, a space can feel more serene, dynamic, or elegant, without any major renovations or high costs. Here it is not only the choice of motifs that matters, but also their size, spacing, and arrangement on the wall.

Layout visualisation before drilling

A picture gallery isn't necessarily always perfectly symmetrical. In some interiors, a neatly arranged gallery of equally sized frames works best, while in others, a more relaxed combination of different sizes, illustrations, and photographs complements the space more effectively.

The arrangement of the pictures has a major impact on the overall appearance of the room, so it’s always a good idea to check what the gallery will look like as a whole before you start drilling.

The easiest way is to lay the pictures out on the floor and try out different combinations. This makes it easier to determine the width of the gallery, check the spacing between frames, assess the proportions between larger and smaller formats, and ensure the colour coordination of the pictures.

Paper stencils are another very practical solution. Cut out the frames from paper to the desired size, arrange them on the floor or temporarily attach them to the wall with masking tape so as not to damage the freshly painted wall when removing them. This way, you can quickly see what the gallery will look like in the space without having to drill any extra holes. Those who prefer a more digital approach to planning can also use apps that allow them to view a virtual layout of the pictures directly on the wall.

Correct height and spacing between pictures

The most common mistake when hanging pictures is hanging them too high. When hanging a gallery above a sofa, bed, or other low piece of furniture, it is usually best to position the bottom edge of the pictures about 15 to 25 centimetres above the furniture. In this way, the gallery feels integrated with the rest of the space rather than appearing as an element that “floats” too high on the wall.

When dealing with larger paintings and bulkier furniture, it makes sense to leave a little more space between the painting and the furniture, as this layout creates a more airy and balanced look. Pictures above the dining table are usually hung a little lower than in the hallway, because we tend to view them from a seated position. The centre of the artwork should be about 140 to 145 centimetres above the floor, although in hallways or passageways it is usually hung slightly higher.

The spacing between the pictures is also important, though it is not always the same. For smaller frames, a spacing of about 5 to 8 centimetres is usually sufficient; however, for larger formats, bulkier frames, or more open galleries you can leave as much as 10 to 15 centimetres of space. Above all, it is crucial that the spacing works harmoniously.

The secret to a balanced layout

When designing a gallery, the relationship between the size of the wall, the furniture, and the number of paintings is also important. If you have a large empty wall, a single small painting will often look out of place. On the other hand, a frame that is too large or very bulky can quickly feel overwhelming in a smaller space. The feeling you want to create with the layout and selected motifs is also important.

A general rule of thumb is that a painting or a gallery above a piece of furniture should take up about two-thirds to three-quarters of its width. If the sofa set is two meters wide, the total width of the gallery should be approximately 130 to 150 centimetres. This layout works in harmony with the rest of the space rather than as a randomly added element.

The shape of the gallery itself also has a significant impact on the sense of space. Horizontal layouts make a room appear more spacious and look great above longer pieces of furniture, such as sofas or low bookcases. Vertical placements make a room visually taller, making it a good choice for narrow walls or rooms with lower ceilings.

In smaller apartments, a single large piece of art or a more open gallery with enough empty space around the frames often works better, as it makes the space feel less cluttered. Smaller images can also be made to appear larger by using a wider passepartout (the paper border between the image and the frame) or slightly wider frames.

You can choose from a variety of layout styles:

• Symmetrical galleries with two or three identical paintings in matching frames create a sense of order and calm. They work well with minimalist interiors, bedrooms, or spaces featuring a variety of materials and textures, where a slightly more balanced look is desired.
• Grid layouts, in which frames are arranged in a precise grid, have a modern, orderly, and architecturally refined look. They work particularly well with black-and-white photographs, illustrations, or graphics in similar tones, and are often used in longer hallways.
• Organic or salon galleries combine frames of various sizes, motifs, and materials to create a more relaxed and creative look. To ensure that the layout does not appear chaotic despite its diversity, it helps if the gallery is connected by a common colour palette, repetition of certain tones, or similar frames.
• A single large painting can visually calm a space and create a more elegant atmosphere. This layout is an excellent choice for visually rich interiors, bold wall colours, or smaller spaces where using many smaller frames would quickly make the room feel cluttered.

Coordinating pictures with the room and furniture

The gallery should function as part of the space, not as a completely separate element. The colours of the pictures and frames don't have to match the interior perfectly, but it's a good idea for them to at least partially connect with it. In neutral spaces, paintings can serve as a bold pop of color, whereas in more colourful interiors, subdued motifs and more uniform frames often work better.

Frames also play an important role in the overall feel of the gallery. Wooden frames add warmth to a room and blend beautifully with natural materials, but it’s important to avoid combining too many different shades of wood in a single space. Darker frames typically create more contrast and visual interest, while lighter ones appear softer, more airy, and often have a more Scandinavian feel.

Metal frames with thin edges give the space a more modern and minimalist look. If you want a more relaxed and eclectic look, you can mix and match different materials, colours, and frame sizes. To ensure that the gallery doesn’t look disjointed despite its diversity, it helps if at least one common colour or similar shade is repeated among the motifs or frames.

Small details that make a big difference

Sometimes, despite beautiful motifs and carefully selected frames, a gallery just doesn’t come together as harmoniously as we had imagined. Often, it’s not the pictures themselves that are the issue, but rather the small details in the layout.

The final feel of a space can be greatly affected if

• the pictures are hung too high,
• the gallery is too small for the size of the wall,
• the spacing between the frames is inconsistent, 
• or there are too many different styles without a unifying element on a single wall.

Even minor adjustments to the layout, frame sizes, or colour scheme can create a much more balanced and cohesive look for the space. Often, all it takes to give your home a whole new feel is a fresh coat of paint on the walls and a slightly different perspective on the space, no new furniture needed.