Gallery Walls: Trendy or a Keeper?

Kerri

10 years ago

This post was most recently updated on January 1st, 2020

If you’ve been around here for long, you know I’m a sucker for gallery walls.

Yup, hello! LOOOOOVE ’em.

Gallery walls have been riding a wave of popularity in the decorating world for a few years now.

Gallery walls are definitely part part of the ‘collected’ and eclectic decor trend.

But let’s face it, eclectically-decorated homes – and gallery walls for that matter – aren’t new. One of the most incredible gallery collections I’ve witnessed was about 15 years ago in our friend’s childhood home in France. Every inch (I kid you not) of her parents’ staircase was filled with beautiful photos of their family. I immediately fell in love. Years later, I was inspired by my favorite home blog/gallery wall of all time: See it here.

Since decor trends ebb and flow, it stands to reason that gallery walls might fall out of style at some point in favour of a more minimal and streamlined look.

To be honest, I already heard/read those rumblings. I think it was in one of the 2015 decor trends issues back in December. I can’t recall exactly where I read it. But, I do remember my reaction.

At first, I plugged my ears and sang la-la-la extra loudly.

But then I got all spiteful and decided to create another gallery wall. The biggest one yet. On a big ol’ wall in the foyer.

I think I took every coordinating frame and canvas I could find, and packed that wall full of my favourites. And, when it was done, I was all like, “Bam! Take that.”

I don’t care if gallery walls ever fall out of fashion; or if I’m the last person on earth with a wall full of frames. I shall declare it to the world now: I’m not taking down my gallery walls. No way, no how.

For me, gallery walls are collections of our memories and the things our hearts sing. And, shouldn’t that be what our homes are all about?

Also, since I’m thaaat mom – you know, the one with the scrapbooks, the overflowing photo boxes, the tupperware containers of kids’ artwork – gallery walls just make sense to me. Where some might see a blank wall as a design statement, I see it as a big blank canvas begging to come to life.

So are gallery walls just a trend, or are they a keeper?

For me, they are a keeper. Gallery walls aren’t trendy, but a key element in a particular style of decorating.

What say you?

Until next time,

Psst…

Some extra reading on Gallery Walls :

Looking for tips on how to create a pretty gallery wall collection? Check this out: How to group things you love: Gallery Wall Tips

And, here’s some of my past posts on gallery walls: