A Hallway with Heart: The Start of a New Gallery Wall

Some projects begin out of necessity — others begin because something just feels off. Our upstairs hallway wasn’t in bad shape, but it never felt finished. It’s a pass-through, sure, but I kept imagining what it could be: a moment of beauty between rooms, a soft spot to pause, a place that holds stories on the walls. So this marks the beginning of a small but meaningful transformation — one that starts with a blank hallway and ends with something layered and lasting.

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Where We’re Starting

Right now, the walls are completely blank. When we first bought the house, they were painted an apricot-peach color, so one of the first things we did was paint them a soft neutral — Crushed Ice by Sherwin-Williams. The trim is still the original from 1931, which I love, but the walls themselves have never held a single piece of art or photo.

A few years ago, I bought a console table with the intention of building a gallery wall above it, but life happened. New frames I planned to use are still sitting on the lower shelf, boxed up. Even a box of framed photos from our last apartment has been waiting patiently to be hung again.

A true look at where we’re starting — nothing styled, just life as it was. Frames, clutter, and a chair turned makeshift storage.

There’s also a wingback chair I thrifted for $20 about six years ago. It’s been sitting in the corner ever since — not styled, just collecting whatever ends up there. But in my mind, that corner was always meant to be a small reading nook. Something cozy. Something intentional.

This hallway leads to all of our bedrooms, and I want it to offer something quiet and grounding — like a soft hug before we step into our own spaces. It’s meant to be a visual reminder of the stories, faces, and moments that matter most. From memories with loved ones to snapshots that remind us who we are, I want this space to be a gentle reminder of the support that surrounds us — even when we’re apart.

Why This Project, and Why Now

Truthfully, this just felt like the right place to start.

There are other areas of our home I’d love to work on, but many of them require a bigger lift — adding crown molding, reworking layouts, budgeting for more expensive updates. This hallway already has crown molding, and the footprint is small enough to be manageable.

While we spend most of our time downstairs, this upstairs space matters. It’s the lead-in to the parts of our home that are meant to feel restful and personal. When we walk up the stairs at night, I want that transition to feel warm — like we’re arriving, not just passing through.

And practically speaking, it’s a project I can take on without blowing the budget, which is always something I have to keep in mind.

The Vision: Warmth, Layering, and Everyday Beauty

This console table has served us well, but I’m ready for something with texture, shape, and a more layered feel.

Here’s what I’m imagining.

I’d like to swap out the current console table for one that echoes our dining table — something black with visible wood grain and maybe some fluting. I’ve had my eye on an oval-shaped piece that gives a modern but grounded feel.

Cleared off and ready for its next chapter — this thrifted wingback chair will anchor the reading nook.

Near one of the bedroom doors, there’s a slight angle in the wall — a perfect spot for a faux olive tree. Even though it’s not real, it’ll add height and a sense of life to the hallway.

The wingback chair will become the cozy reading nook I always imagined. I’m planning to recover it in a fabric that brings in texture and color — earth tones, navy, olive, rust — something that complements the mood throughout our home. A floor lamp will go in that corner, and possibly a small rug to anchor the space. I’m undecided on the rug, but open to layering if the right one shows up.

I’ll be adding picture frame molding to the walls to give the space depth and dimension. It’s one of those architectural details that instantly makes a room feel considered. I recently came across this Instagram video with a few clever tips and a final look that feels really close to what I’m envisioning — nothing too complex, just helpful if you’re thinking of trying something similar.

And finally, for the gallery wall, I’ll be mixing frame finishes — wood, black, metallic — and playing with size and spacing. I want the layout to feel a little organic, like a curated puzzle coming together over time.

The overall look I’m going for? Modern but with vintage charm. Clean but layered. Warm but refined.

What Comes Next

The first step is figuring out the layout for the picture frame molding. I’ll be taping it out to see how the spacing feels before committing. Once that’s mapped out, I’ll choose the actual molding — ideally something that complements the existing crown, though with trim from 1931, I’m not expecting a perfect match.

After that, I’ll turn my attention to the gallery wall — starting with the frames I already have. I plan to lay everything out on the floor first to figure out placement, then source and size the photos accordingly.

The wingback chair will get new life too. I’ll be looking for fabric to reupholster it, and while it’s been years since I made a slipcover, I’ve done it before. Once that’s done, I’ll move on to styling: finding the right table, the olive tree, lighting, and accessories — starting with what I already have and filling in the rest as needed.

I’m pulling color inspiration directly from the fabric I choose — letting that anchor the palette for the entire hallway.

Follow Along

This is the first of a few posts that will document the full transformation. I’ll share updates along the way — wins, pivots, lessons, and (ultimately) a beautiful finish.

If you’re working with a space that feels overlooked — or if your hallway is still waiting on its moment — you’re in good company.

I believe there’s beauty in beginning, even if it’s just one corner at a time.

— Heather