Home wall galleries becoming a popular decorating trend

Home decorators can be as creative as they choose when designing a wall gallery that reflects their personal interests and captures special memories.

"Wall galleries or picture groupings are quickly becoming one of the hottest decorating trends for living spaces," according to IdealHomeGarden.com. "Whatever you want to collect and display, whether it's paintings, photographs or movie posters, each can play a part in creating your own personal wall gallery."

The website suggests that homeowners take a lead from those who decorate art galleries where art is hung largely at eye level, or centered about 60 inches up from the floor. When located behind a piece of furniture, there should be a minimum open space of 6 inches above the sofa and 8 inches above a table.

A modern-style gallery should have artwork that is uniform, such as a collection of black-and-white photographs or contemporary illustrations by one artist. For a more eclectic display, mix a wide range of styles and media.

To prevent the wall gallery from fading from sunlight exposure, a window treatment should be chosen that will limit direct light cast on the collection. Solar screen shades allow filtered light to come through, and also limit glare onto television and computer screens.