How to Mix Metal Prints and Wood Prints in One Gallery Wall
By Frameology | Published: 2026-10-16
Category: How-to Guides
Learn how to combine metal and wood prints in a single gallery wall with a balanced layout, spacing rules, and material pairing tips for a cohesive look.
Quick answer
To mix metal and wood prints successfully, treat them as equal partners: alternate materials across the wall, keep spacing consistent, and anchor the arrangement with a larger wood or metal frame. Use a printed hanging template or an AR preview tool to test the layout before you commit to nails.
Why material contrast works on a gallery wall
Metal prints bring a sleek, reflective quality that can make colors pop, while wood prints add warmth and texture. Together they create depth that a single material can't achieve. The key is to avoid letting one material dominate; aim for a roughly even split or a deliberate focal point where the larger piece sets the tone.
Plan your layout with a template or AR tool
Before hammering any nails, map out your arrangement on the floor or use a digital preview. Some gallery wall sets, like the Bobby Berk - Classic Staircase, include a printed professional hanging template that takes the guesswork out of spacing. For a hallway or foyer, the Bobby Berk - The Hallway Collection offers six frames in three sizes, and its AR preview tool lets you see the set on your actual wall.
Spacing and alignment rules that keep mixed materials cohesive
Consistent spacing is what makes a mixed-material wall look intentional rather than accidental. Leave 2 to 3 inches between frames, and align the centers of adjacent pieces horizontally or vertically. If you're mixing a deep metal frame like the Metal Table with thinner wood frames, the depth difference can create shadows; keep the metal frame on the outer edge or in a spot where its profile won't cast distracting shadows on nearby wood prints.
Step-by-step: Mix metal and wood prints on one wall
- 1. Choose a focal point: Select one larger piece—either a wood or metal print—to anchor the wall. Place it slightly off-center or at eye level. Checkpoint: The focal point should be the first thing you see when entering the room.
- 2. Alternate materials: Arrange the remaining prints so that metal and wood alternate rather than clustering by material. This creates rhythm and prevents one side from feeling heavy. Common mistake: Grouping all metal prints together, which makes the wall look unbalanced.
- 3. Keep spacing consistent: Use a ruler or a hanging template to maintain 2–3 inches between frames. Measure from the outer edge of each frame, not the center. Checkpoint: Step back and squint—if any gap looks noticeably larger or smaller, adjust it.
- 4. Test the layout before hanging: Lay the frames on the floor or use an AR preview tool to see the arrangement in your space. Adjust until the mix feels right. Next step: Once satisfied, mark the wall with painter's tape or use the included template to transfer the layout.
- 5. Hang and level: Hang the focal point first, then work outward. Use a level to ensure each frame is straight, especially when mixing frame depths. Common mistake: Forgetting to account for the deeper profile of metal frames, which can make adjacent wood frames look recessed.
Product facts to know
- Bobby Berk - Classic Staircase - Black (Right - Regular Mat): The Bobby Berk - Classic Staircase set includes a printed professional hanging template, one large 16" x 20" classic wood vertical frame with an 11" x 14" print, and one medium 11" x 14" classic wood vertical frame with an 8" x 10" print. The template simplifies spacing for a staircase wall, and the two wood frames give you a warm base to mix with a metal print.
- Metal Table: The Metal Table frame features a thin, deep aluminum profile wrapped in wood veneer, includes a free fine-art print, and uses museum-grade acrylic glazing. Its aluminum core adds a subtle metallic sheen while the wood veneer helps it bridge the gap between metal and wood prints in a mixed arrangement.
- Bobby Berk - The Hallway Collection - Black (Regular Mat): The Bobby Berk - The Hallway Collection includes six frames in three different sizes, an AR preview tool, and is designed for hallways or foyers. The AR tool lets you test how the wood frames will look alongside any metal prints you already own before you buy or hang.
