Personalize Your Space With a DIY Gallery Wall

Blending interior design styles with a roommate or partner is all about including personal touches and pinpointing a shared interest or aesthetic. The floor-to-ceiling frame wall we created for a special couple on the West Coast is a perfect example.

Homeowner Lauren and her fiance Greg are taking a big step: cohabitation. They’re recently engaged, and Lauren is making space for not only his furniture and accent pieces, but also his style.

The active couple shares a love for food, wine, and entertaining. We set out to brighten the space they spend the most time entertaining in: the dining room.

Graced with iconic Seattle views of waterfront, seaplanes, and hillside homes, the dining room connects the home’s cozy living room with the kitchen, from which we drew foodie inspiration for the frame wall.

When creating a frame wall, it’s a good idea to create a balance of organic shapes and square corners.

On Lauren’s wall, vintage cookbooks, antique kitchen tools, and metallic shapes like street signs and decorative letters complement the framed art and images, while a variety of shapes and sizes provides visual interest.

Make a game plan

Lay the items out on the floor so you can try out different arrangements – without hammering a single nail.

Once you’ve decided which items you’ll include in your frame wall, trace their shapes on leftover wrapping paper or butcher paper, then tape these templates to the wall to guide you in placing nails and hangers.

For a final touch, include a small piece of furniture at the bottom of your frame wall. A chest or bench anchors the whole scene and makes for a lovely spot to set a row of glasses or flower arrangement.

While you’re working on the game plan, enjoy this playlist designed for DIY at-home project vibes.

Want more tips from Douglas? Watch more home entertaining and design videos.

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