How to plan a staircase gallery wall
Updated 2026-10-24
Draw an imaginary line parallel to the handrail about 57–60 in (145–150 cm) above the treads, and centre your frames along it with equal gaps.
Layout steps
- Measure the rise and run of one step to get the stair angle.
- Mark the centre-line height at the bottom, middle and top step and snap a chalk line (or use painter's tape).
- Start with the largest frame near the middle of the run, then work up and down.
- Keep a 2–3 in (5–8 cm) gap between frames; on stairs, uneven gaps show more than anywhere else.
- Check that no frame sits where people will brush it with a shoulder or bag.
Layouts that work on stairs
- Stepped row: one frame per 1–2 steps, same size, rising with the stairs.
- Diagonal grid: two rows of matching frames following the angle.
- Salon cluster: mixed frames inside a parallelogram that follows the rail.
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Frequently asked questions
How high should pictures be on a staircase wall?
Keep frame centres about 57–60 in (145–150 cm) above each stair tread's nose, so the group rises at the same angle as the stairs.
Should staircase frames be the same size?
No. Mixed sizes work well if you keep a consistent gap and follow an invisible line parallel to the handrail.