Most Christmas gallery wall ideas online are pretty pictures with no numbers. That is fine until you are standing on the couch holding a frame, guessing. This guide gives you two measured Christmas gallery wall layouts for apartments: a 53 in statement wall for above a sofa or bed, and a 28 in small-space wall for an entryway or a hallway. Both hang without nails, and both come down clean in January.
Every measurement below comes from the gallery wall maps we made for our own Christmas art sets. You can use them with any six same-size prints.
Layout 1: the 53 in statement wall (six 16 × 20 frames)
- Frames: six 16 × 20 in frames, portrait, in two rows of three.
- Gaps: 2.5 in between every frame, side to side and top to bottom.
- Overall size: 53 in wide × 42.5 in tall (3 × 16 in + 2 × 2.5 in = 53 in).
- Where it fits: above a sofa, a bed or a long console that is about 75 to 90 in wide. The group should cover roughly two-thirds of the furniture’s width.
- Height: hang the bottom row 8 to 10 in above the sofa back. On a bare wall, put the center of the whole group about 57 to 60 in from the floor.
- Order: alternate dark and light prints so neither row feels heavy.
Measure your frames. Frames sold as the same size can differ by up to an inch. Measure the outside edges of yours and keep the 2.5 in gaps even; the overall size will shift slightly.
Layout 2: the 28 in small-space wall (six 8 × 10 frames)
- Frames: six 8 × 10 in frames, portrait, in two rows of three.
- Gaps: 2 in between every frame.
- Overall size: 28 in wide × 22 in tall.
- Where it fits: an entryway, a hallway, a reading nook, or above a narrow console, nightstand or desk.
- Why it works in a rental: 8 × 10 frames are light (about 1 to 2 lb each framed), so removable picture-hanging strips handle them easily.
Only want 3 prints? Three smaller Christmas wall ideas
- A trio in a row. Three prints side by side, 2 to 3 in apart, over a console or a bed. It is the easiest layout to get straight.
- A scenic pair. Two scenic prints side by side in 11 × 14 frames, for a narrow wall between two doors.
- The mantel or dresser moment. No wall at all: lean the largest print at the back of a dresser, console or mantel and layer two smaller ones in front. Nothing goes on the wall.
The paper template trick (do this before you stick anything)
- Trace each frame on kraft paper or newspaper and cut it out.
- Mark where the strips or the hook sit on the back of each frame, and copy those marks onto its template.
- Tape the templates to the wall with painter’s tape, using the gaps above, and step back to check.
- Adjust until it looks right, then hang each frame over its template and peel the paper away.
It takes 15 minutes and saves you from a crooked row of adhesive strips you can’t easily move.
How to hang a gallery wall without nails
Weights are typical ranges for framed prints, so weigh your actual frame on a kitchen or bathroom scale.
| Print size | Framed weight | What to use |
|---|---|---|
| 5 × 7, 4 × 6 | Very light (under 1 lb) | 1 pair of small picture-hanging strips, or a tabletop easel or shelf |
| 8 × 10, A4 | Light (about 1–2 lb) | 1–2 pairs of medium picture-hanging strips |
| 11 × 14, 12 × 16, A3 | Medium (about 2–4 lb) | 2 pairs of medium or large strips, one pair near each top corner |
| 16 × 20, 18 × 24, A2 | Heavier (about 4–8 lb) | 3–4 pairs of large strips, or a sawtooth hanger on an adhesive hook rated above the frame’s weight |
- Pick strips rated well above your frame and check the weight limit on the package.
- Clean the spot with rubbing alcohol and let it dry. Skip soapy cleaners.
- Press each strip for about 30 seconds, then wait the time the package says (often about an hour) before you hang the frame.
- Skip strips on freshly painted, textured, wallpapered, brick or damp walls, and don’t hang heavy glass frames on strips alone. For the 16 × 20 layout, frames with an acrylic front instead of glass are lighter and safer.
- Taking it down: stretch each tab straight down, slowly, along the wall. Never pull it out toward you.
Not sure about your wall? Run it through our Deposit-Safe Checker first.
Printable Christmas art made for these layouts
These are our own printables, sold in the Decor Ranch shop on Gumroad. We make them and earn the full price when you buy; there is no affiliate link here. Prices were checked on November 11, 2026.
Both layouts were planned around our two six-print Christmas art sets, so the maps, the print order and the file sizes all match. Each set includes both maps in its printable guide.
Christmas Cozy Art Set (6 printable prints) · $9.99
For: a traditional, vintage-style Christmas in forest green, cream, burgundy and gold. The six designs are Winter Village, Pine & Berries, Merry & Bright, Candlelight Still Life, Cabin at Dusk, and Holly & Eucalyptus.
- 36 JPG files, each at 300 PPI or higher at every supported print size
- Covers 4:5 (8 × 10 and 16 × 20, both layouts above), 2:3, 3:4, 5 × 7, 11 × 14 and ISO A sizes up to A2
- An 8-page guide with both gallery wall maps, no-nail hanging by frame size and printing tips
- It is a digital download. Prints and frames are not included
- 16 × 20 prints need a photo counter or an online print lab, not a home printer
- If you love bright, modern color, the Whimsy set below suits you better
Whimsy Christmas Wall Art Set (6 printable prints) · $9.99
For: a light, pastel Christmas with pink and mint. The designs include gingerbread, bottle-brush trees, a pink nutcracker, ornaments, a peppermint wreath and “Oh What Fun”.
- The same print sizes as the Cozy set, at 300 PPI or higher
- The same two gallery wall maps (53 in and 28 in), with its own print order
- Pairs with the matching Whimsy gift tags and cards
- It is a digital download. Prints and frames are not included
- The pastel palette won’t match a traditional red-and-green room
Also planning gifts? The 5-Product Planner & Christmas Art Bundle ($19.99) includes the Christmas Cozy Art Set plus our Christmas Gift & Budget Planner and three apartment planners: the Renter Deposit-Back Kit, the First Apartment Checklist & Setup Planner and the Small Apartment Thanksgiving Hosting Planner. For a smaller wall, the Burgundy Christmas Heirloom Mini Prints ($4.99) are three small vintage prints for a shelf or a ledge.
Free printable pet Christmas gift tags (PDF)Nine watercolor dog and cat tags plus nine To/From tags. Print at 100% on cardstock, cut on the gray line and punch the dotted circle for ribbon.
Printing tips for Christmas wall art
- 8 × 10 at home: print on US Letter matte photo paper or bright white cardstock, set to “actual size” (not “fit to page”).
- 16 × 20 at a print lab: upload the 4:5 file and choose matte or lustre paper for less glare.
- Matching color across six prints: print all six at once, at the same place, on the same paper.
More Christmas apartment ideas
More Christmas guides for small spaces
FAQ
How big should a gallery wall be over a sofa?
Aim for about two-thirds of the sofa’s width. For a sofa about 75 to 90 in wide, a 53 in wide group, such as six 16 × 20 frames with 2.5 in gaps, fits well.
How high should I hang a Christmas gallery wall?
Hang the bottom row 8 to 10 in above the back of the sofa. On a bare wall, put the center of the whole group about 57 to 60 in from the floor.
How far apart should gallery wall frames be?
Use 2 to 3 in. Our maps use 2.5 in for 16 × 20 frames and 2 in for 8 × 10 frames. Keep the gaps the same everywhere and the wall looks planned.
Can I hang a gallery wall in a rental without nails?
Yes. Use removable picture-hanging strips sized for each frame’s weight on clean, cured, smooth paint, and remove them by stretching the tab straight down. Or lean the frames on a console, dresser or picture ledge.
What size prints do I need for a Christmas gallery wall?
For these layouts, six 8 × 10 prints (small-space wall) or six 16 × 20 prints (statement wall). Both are 4:5 proportions, so one 4:5 file prints at either size.
