7 Ways To Decorate Gallery Walls With A Magnolia-Inspired Look

Creating the perfect gallery wall can be an incredibly daunting task. From finding the best place in your home for a gallery wall to choosing pieces that complement each other and don't clash without getting too boring and repetitive, there are a lot of things to consider before you start hammering holes in the wall. Fortunately, the lifestyle brand Magnolia — which was co-founded by interior design star Joanna Gaines and her husband Chip Gaines — has ample experience in this department, sharing plenty of advice over the years on crafting the perfect gallery wall that exudes both personality and style.

Magnolia is famous and well-loved by many for its approach to interior decorating that combines a chic, put-together look with the comfy, lived-in feeling of home, and Gaines and her company bring that approach to their take on picturesque gallery walls. From tastefully displaying hobbies and favorite memories to making seasonally appropriate tweaks, Gaines has plenty of tips for acquiring that coveted Magnolia-inspired look while building a gallery wall that looks and feels all your own. Here are seven ideas to get you started.

If you have a hobby or interest that you're particularly passionate about, don't be afraid to show it off! For example, in one memorable episode of "Mini Reni," Gaines made the bold (and much-loved) decision to design an all-horse gallery wall for an equestrian lover. She makes this idea work without feeling too repetitive or monotonous by mixing up the style and medium of each piece — incorporating sketches, photographs, and paintings of horses in different sizes and frame types rather than covering the wall with illustrations that all have the same look.

Every fall, Magnolia releases its seasonal collection of home decor, with tasteful artwork, including calming botanical prints and peaceful pastoral scenes. For a chic, subtle way to transition your home each season, try swapping out a few of your gallery wall pieces for ones that coordinate with the time of year — such as showcasing autumnal colors in fall or prints in brighter pastels during springtime. It's a simple way Gaines uses a gallery wall to welcome the fall season, and it's understated enough that it won't look out of place year-round.

A cornerstone of Magnolia's advice on creating gallery walls, which Gaines returns to again and again, is that it's usually a good idea to include one or two central pieces that anchor the rest of the wall. The anchor piece may be the largest, but it could also be the most colorful or striking, drawing the eye. Then, build around the anchor piece with more artwork, photography, and other gallery wall elements.

Remember that gallery walls can display more than framed photos and artwork. Put a modern spin on gallery walls with bookcases, shelves, and ledges, which add texture and depth and enable you to use more than just paintings and photographs. Experiment with incorporating floating shelves, built-in storage units, or bookracks, and then deck them out with small statues, books, plants, candles, or any other favorite mementos.

It's okay (and even encouraged) to get sentimental with your gallery wall. A cozy, comfortable home should reflect the story and memories of the people who live there, so rather than hiding mementos and keepsakes away in a box in the closet, consider decorating with smaller items that hold special meaning to you. Gaines is a fan of showcasing trinkets from memorable trips with loved ones, or little notes or gifts she receives from her children. These treasures can be displayed in cases, mounted on your gallery wall, or arranged in keepsake boxes on gallery wall shelves.

If you're struggling to find a cohesive style or theme to unite the many pieces of a busy gallery wall, try using the three-word concept Gaines swears by when designing a room to guide you. As she explains in her online MasterClass series, the three-word concept involves asking yourself three questions: how you want the design to feel, how you want it to function, and what style you would like to emulate. With these considerations in mind, you can stay more focused when selecting individual pieces that work together to complement your vision.

Although you're likely to put a lot of thought and effort into your gallery wall, at the end of the day, don't feel like you need to stay committed to one look or layout forever. Just as your stylistic likes and dislikes are constantly evolving, your gallery wall can grow along with you. So don't be afraid to tweak and tinker with your gallery wall, adding new pieces and removing old ones—or even starting from scratch. Remember: gallery walls don't have to be permanent, and wall holes can always be patched and covered.