How to Frame, Hang & Style Your Boho Desert Wall Art Like a Pro

Stacie Daigle
Apr 14
5 min read

Updated: Apr 14

A guide from Honorable Citizens — your home for high-res bohemian art prints

If you've just added a new piece of boho wall art to your space — or you're eyeing one of our terra cotta desert art prints — this guide is for you. We're breaking down everything you need to know about matting, framing, hanging, and designing a gallery wall that feels intentional, warm, and wildly beautiful. Plus, we're sharing five of our favorite desert-inspired color palettes to help you pull the whole look together.

How to Mat Your Art Prints

Matting is one of the easiest ways to make any high-res art print look like it belongs in a gallery. A mat is the border that sits between your print and the frame, and it does more than just look pretty — it protects your print from touching the glass and gives the eye a place to rest before landing on the art.

A few rules of thumb:

For smaller prints (8x8 and under), leave at least 2–3 inches of mat on all sides. For larger pieces (12x12 and up), bump that up to 3–4 inches. Want that elevated, museum-quality look? Go slightly wider on the bottom mat than the top — this is called a weighted mat, and it grounds the piece in a way that just feels right.

For boho art prints, earthy desert prints, and celestial wall art, stick to white, cream, or warm off-white mats. They let those gorgeous terra cotta, burnt orange, and dusty brown tones breathe without competing for attention.

Choosing the Right Frame Size

Getting the frame-to-print ratio right is everything. Here's a simple guide:

5x5 or 8x8 prints → go with a 10x10 or 12x12 frame with a mat
10x10 or 12x12 prints → a 16x16 frame with a mat looks stunning, or try a floating mount for a modern edge
18x18 or 24x24 prints → go bold with a 24x24 or 30x30 frame, or hang borderless for maximum impact

For southwestern wall art, bohemian home decor, and desert-inspired prints, natural wood frames — think light oak, walnut, or raw wood — are a dream. Thin black metal frames are another gorgeous option that lets the earthy, sunset tones of the print do the talking.

Wall Placement Tips

Where you hang your art matters just as much as what you hang. A few golden rules:

Hang at eye level. The center of your print should sit 57–60 inches from the floor — this is the standard gallery height and what feels most natural when you walk into a room.

Above furniture, leave 6–8 inches between the top of your sofa, bed, or console and the bottom of the frame. Too close feels cluttered; too far feels disconnected.

Solo vs. grouped. A single large desert art print (18x18 or bigger) makes a powerful standalone statement above a bed, fireplace, or entryway console. Smaller boho art prints (8x8, 10x10) come alive in curated clusters.

Light it right. Natural light is magic for terra cotta, earthy brown, and sunset-toned prints. Position near windows where possible, but avoid harsh direct sunlight to keep those warm, sun-kissed colors vivid for years to come.

How to Design a Gallery Wall

A well-designed gallery wall is the kind of thing people walk into a room and immediately notice. Here's how to build one that looks curated — not chaotic:

1. Start with your anchor piece. Choose your largest or most statement print first — like one of our sun, moon, and stars Joshua Tree desert prints — and build outward from there.

2. Lay it out on the floor before you pick up a hammer. Arrange your prints until the spacing and flow feel right. A good rule: keep 2–3 inches between frames for a clean, cohesive look.

3. Mix sizes, but keep a consistent frame style. Matching all frames in natural wood or matte black with white mats ties the whole wall together, even when print sizes and subjects vary.

4. Use paper templates. Trace your frames onto kraft paper, cut them out, and tape them to the wall with painter's tape before committing to any holes. Game changer.

5. Lean into odd numbers. Groups of 3, 5, or 7 prints feel more organic and intentional than even-numbered arrangements.

6. Don't overthink symmetry. A slightly organic, off-centered layout feels alive and lived-in — which is the whole spirit of bohemian home decor.

5 Desert-Inspired Color Palettes to Style With Your Prints

Whether you're starting fresh or refreshing a room, these palettes are designed to complement your boho desert wall art and make every piece feel at home.

🌵 1. Joshua Tree Sunset Terra cotta · Burnt orange · Dusty sand · Warm white · Raw wood

The quintessential desert palette. Warm, sun-soaked, and instantly grounding. Perfect for boho bedrooms, desert-inspired living rooms, and meditation spaces. Pairs beautifully with rattan furniture, macramé, linen throws, and trailing plants.

🌙 2. Celestial Night Deep navy · Midnight purple · Warm gold · Cream · Matte black

For the ones who want a little mystery in their space. This moody, celestial palette makes sun, moon, and stars wall art absolutely pop. Ideal for reading nooks, accent walls, and maximalist spaces where you want the art to feel like an experience.

🏜️ 3. Desert Neutral Warm taupe · Mushroom brown · Ivory · Sage green · Bleached linen

The softest, most versatile of the desert palettes. This one works everywhere — minimalist boho apartments, Scandinavian-desert crossover aesthetics, and rental spaces where you want warmth without committing to bold color. Earthy wall art shines in these quiet, natural surroundings.

☀️ 4. Golden Hour Mustard yellow · Rust · Warm beige · Chocolate brown · Olive

Rich, vintage-inspired, and full of character. This palette channels that 5pm desert light — the kind that makes everything glow. Perfect for eclectic spaces, kitchen gallery walls, and anywhere you want your southwestern wall decor to feel bold and lived-in.

🌸 5. High Desert Cool Dusty mauve · Terra cotta · Soft clay · Warm grey · Pale blush

A feminine take on desert tones — soft but not sweet, earthy but never muddy. This palette is perfect for boho nurseries, creative studios, she-sheds, and any space where you want that desert warmth with a little softness layered in.

Ready to Find Your Wall's New Favorite Piece?

At Honorable Citizens, every print is designed with your walls in mind — high-resolution, rich in color, and built to look stunning whether you're hanging a solo statement piece or anchoring a full gallery wall. From celestial desert art to boho sun and moon prints, our collection is made for the homes that feel as good as they look.