How to Create a Stunning (and Fun!) Gallery Wall

Gallery walls are a fantastic way to let your personality shine in your home! Whether you’re featuring framed artwork, photography, or a mix of unique objects, a well-designed gallery wall brings charm and character to any space. It’s also a perfect example of curated living—intentionally selecting pieces that bring joy, meaning, and high design to your home.

At House On Laurel, we’re currently tackling a bedroom loft with a big, beautiful blank wall—just begging for a bold gallery display! A large wall means endless creative possibilities, allowing different sizes and styles of artwork to play together in harmony. For this project, we’re going all in on a nautical theme, blending maritime history with coastal aesthetics for a timeless, serene look.

Ready to create your own stunning gallery wall? Here’s how:

Pick Your Wall & Theme

First things first—where’s your gallery wall going? Think living room, hallway, staircase, bedroom—wherever you want a visual impact. Then, decide on a theme! Maybe a specific color palette, an artistic style (minimalist, eclectic, vintage), or a cherished collection of family photos. A well-thought-out theme helps keep everything feeling cohesive and stylish.

Curate Your Collection

Mix and match pieces that complement each other but still have variety. Think paintings, photographs, illustrations—even 3D objects like mirrors, woven pieces, or decorative plates. Frame styles can be uniform for a sleek, modern look or varied for that cool, collected-over-time vibe.

For our nautical-inspired gallery wall, we gathered vintage ship sketches, old-world maps, maritime posters, black-and-white photos of the sea, and even a half-boat carving for that extra touch of authenticity!

Plan Before You Hammer!

Before making any holes in the wall, lay everything out on the floor first and play around with different compositions. A balanced arrangement often features larger pieces as anchors, with smaller pieces filling in gaps.

Here’s what inspired us:

Credit: vickiscotton

Credit: mindfulhues.com

Credit: Cheryl Guminey

We loved how these gallery walls stretched from floor to ceiling without feeling overwhelming—thanks to a cohesive color palette. In our loft, we’re working with soft blues, whites, and creamy browns to keep things calm and dreamy.

Add Those Finishing Touches

Gallery walls aren’t just about the frames—think about texture! Add in woven baskets, sconces, mixed media pieces, or something fun and unexpected. A pop of greenery? Yes! A chic accent light? Absolutely!

Make It Yours (and Keep It Fresh!)

The best part about a gallery wall? It’s never really “done.” Feel free to swap out pieces seasonally or as your style evolves. This keeps your space feeling fresh, fun, and totally you.

Creating a gallery wall should be an enjoyable, expressive process. By curating meaningful pieces and arranging them with care, you’ll create a space that not only looks beautiful but tells a story.

Happy decorating!