Dining Room Gallery Wall — Will This Work?
I feel like my dining room plan is coming together, but I’m still unsure about what to do with the main wall in the room. I love the wall as it is now with the gallery shelves, the framed TV, and the dark eggplant buffet.
Here’s a reminder of what the wall looks like right now…
I love everything about this wall. I feel like it’s complete “me” — loads of color combined with lots of white, framed art combined with dimensional elements and texture, and symmetry. But I’ve had it in my mind that the wall had to be completely redone when I turn this room back into a dining room because I don’t want a TV in this room anymore, and I don’t like three long shelves filled with stuff. The way I have it right now feels balanced, but three long shelves filled with stuff feels like overload.
To have enough room for the table and chairs, the buffet has to go. I wondered if I’d even like the gallery wall without the buffet. The dark buffet seems to ground the whole design. So I had ChatGPT remove the buffet so that I could see if I’d even like the gallery wall without it. I was shocked, but I do still like it.
And then someone in the comments on a previous post suggested that I simply replace the TV with a framed mirror. That intrigued me, so I had ChatGPT replace the TV with the first large white framed mirror that I found on a Google search, which just happened to be the same mirror that I used in my closet. I wouldn’t use this same mirror, but it gives us an idea of what this might look like…
What I love about having a mirror there is that it would reflect more sunlight into the room.
But then I wondered if I could use my pinwheel art instead of a mirror. It’s too small right now, but I could reframe it so that it’s larger and has more white space. I put the drapery fabric over it so that I could see if it coordinates enough with the fabric. It does. The colors are pretty much the same.
It would need to be about three inches taller and three inches wider to fit the height of the space. But then I’d need to replace the four narrow shelves with shelves that are a bit wider to make it look right. That’s not a big deal, though, since these shelves are incredibly easy and inexpensive to make.
But that would give me an opportunity to get rid of this non-glare glass, which distorts the view of the artwork. I’ve regretted using this non-glare glass ever since I made this frame to go on this artwork.
And I could finally replace the glass with gallery glass so that there’s a clear view of the artwork.
Here’s a ChatGPT mockup of the wall with the pinwheel art, but obviously, it’s not quite right. Again, if I go this direction, there will be three additional inches of white background, both height and width, between the artwork and the frame. But you can see that the small shelves would have to be extended.
I also played around with a different wall color. First, I tried out a light pink. This one isn’t quite right. I’d need the fabric in hand before I can find a really light pink that coordinates with the actual fabric. But I still wanted to go ahead and see what a light pink might look like.
I know some of you are going to say, “But Matt’s one rule is no pink walls!” That’s true, but Matt is partially colorblind. If I were to paint the walls in here a really light, pale pink, he would see them as gray. His issue is more with bold hot pink colors. So I could get away with a really pale pink.
To give you an idea of how Matt sees color, he thought for the longest time that the curtains in the living room were gray. It wasn’t until about a year ago that he realized that they were pink. And that’s only because I asked him what color he thought they were, and when he answered “gray”, I told him they were pink. Had I not asked him, he would have continued thinking they were gray to this day.
So I could definitely get away with a soft pink. But I also tried out this color, which would basically be a color match to the background color on the drapery fabric.
But tell me what you think. Would it work to simply replace the TV with either a mirror or my pinwheel artwork with a larger frame and more white background showing? Or do I need a completely different idea for this wall?
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
If you’re leaning towards pink, check out ‘pink ground’ by Farrow and Ball. It’s a beautiful, not too sweet, pink.
I think it might be too muddy for Kristi’s colour palette.
I’ve always liked the shelf arrangement in the breakfast room and i love a large mirror to reflect light. The art piece feels like it would get a little lost among the busyness of the shelving. Maybe that’s one half of the art that flanks the door way over the benches and you do a complementary piece for the other side. it would really highlight that beautiful piece and let it stand out. You could also simplify the shelves by making space on the sides for sconces and add some ambient light. A simple long narrow console table might help ground the space under the shelves and give a space for excess dishes when serving a large meal.
Is it an option to have the table going the opposite direction and keep the buffet? I had always looked at my dining room table as able to go one direction until one day we had to move it and realized it would work better going the opposite direction.
I wondered about having the table go in the other direction as well. It could avoid changing that wall completely, except for perhaps changing the TV for a mirror, which I really like the idea of.
I think the shelves need the buffet to ground them. Maybe the dining table will do that once it’s in the room. I think the shelves are to close to the ceiling and too close to the wall with the drapes. It appears that the drapes are touching the shelves. Maybe moving the shelves so the top one is lower by about 6″ and the length is shorter on both ends it would look better. I do think the shelves with everything on them look a bit busy. I would prefer 2 or 3 large framed pieces of art on that wall. I like matching the wall color to the drapery fabric background.
Really like the mirror with the floating shelves – what do you think about adding another floating shelf under the mirror or art to balance it out?
Kirsti..treading lightly here as I always admire your hard work and depth of perseverance when you are challenged. So what I am saying is not intended as criticism, as we all have different tastes. When I looked at your pics of the two rooms shown and then compared to the studio, dressing room, bedroom, etc all your rooms all have almost identical colour pallets and I am sure you planned this with that intention in mind. Although each room is beautiful in it’s own right – because of the repetitive colour scheme (even in the artwork) for me it is just become matchy-matchy. I know you adore colour – so pay no heed to me – it’s simply my observation.
I think it looks empty below, and too high on the wall, like you are waiting for a piece of furniture to be delivered. I would like a gallery wall, just without so much shelving, and starting a little lower and going lower, so it looks intentional. I’m not a big fan of accent walls in rooms where there is already a lot going on: open kitchen with colored cabinets, printed drapery, bright pantry, lots of art, lots of doorways. While I always loved the purple buffet, I think the room will look much, much better with the cabinetry as you showed it the other day, flanking the pantry walls. Then your table and chairs will have room to breathe. Nothing feels as uncomfortable as feeling constrained or crowded at a table, which is the ultimate place for family, friends, laughter, relaxation
I love the idea of keeping the shelves. I think it would be wonderful to have a wall on which to display things I had made myself or that were very personalized. I love the spoon art, too! It also gives you an opportunity to change what gets displayed whenever you feel like it and to vary colors when your tastes change.
How about the dark plum for the wall? There would be better contrast with the shelves.
I also like this idea.
This is what I was thinking too. Could even balance it out by making wainscoting on that wall in white. And leave the shelves white. Also, maybe another 1″ all the way around the art, in addition to the extra 3″ you’ve already added in the last picture.
I second white wainscoting on the bottom
are you planning to put wainscoting on the bottom part of the wall? Otherwise something is missing there. Why are you getting rid of the buffet? I picture something a little sleeker and wood toned-maybe mid century modern but that’s me. Getting rid of storage is just never a good idea imo you already nixed the storage on the other walls for benches.
I would absolutely continue with this train of thought. It’s already lovely, and as you said, minimal work to fit the new room.
I like the look of the wall with the mirror…however, I thought you had mentioned that it was going to be tight around the table as-is. Adding anything that projects into the space, even narrow shelves is going to make getting around the table a pain. I had just frames on the wall in a tight area and people were constantly knocking against them while getting to their seats. It became uncomfortable for me as the host and my guests. I look at your shelves, especially the two lower ones closer to the window and see bruises waiting to happen.
I was thinking this as well. You could do a more traditional gallery wall with all the framed art hung directly on the wall if there is enough clearance for that (looks like there certainly would be when the table is closed) and the spoon art would look great as an anchor piece for that. And then you could play around with symmetry (I know that’s your preference!) or mixing things up with different frame sizes, frames going higher/lower for visual interest, etc. The strongly horizontal lines of the shelves feel off to me without the buffet and the TV.
I love both the colors and would choose a bolder color from each and see which one you prefer. I have a deep red dining room if that tells you anything. I love the mirror; mirrors are a great decorating secret and would really give you a lot of light in that room. But your artwork, one of my favorites by the way, would look awesome too. I think a small change up on the shelves, candle sticks, some plates and some plants would bring that wall to life and mimic the drapes also. I love watching this creative start to what will be an amazing dining room in the end. You could also paint the table pink or blue, don’t be afraid, it’s you after all, and you could pull off a masterpiece that should grace the cover of Town & Country or Architectural Digest. Seriously! This is truly a blank canvas in a sense. I am fastening my seatbelt for take-off on this colorful adventure.
Cheers to you, Matt, and the Fur Babies!
I love the mirror idea.
I love your shelves! The shelves are busy (nicely) so I think the pinwheel art would be TOO busy, and the spot would do much better with a mirror, IMHO.
I would have a hard time making any decisions about this wall without the table and chairs in there. The addition of furniture can really change how you see a space, the bulk of the table and especially the height of the chairs. If it were me, I’d keep the table small with four chairs around it and put the other two where you are currently planning the new benches.
I love the idea of the LR art being in this space because…. spoons! and it’s a large statement piece. But I’d probably ditch the shelves and keep it simpler. Your draperies are busy in color and graphics. (have you tried mocking up the fabric with a white background? It might be more eye-catching with the green you’re planning for the dining set.) And your chandelier is a big statement also and you don’t want to overwhelm.
I agree. Get the draperies made and hung, get the table refinished and in place with the chairs and then decide what should go on the walls.
Ditto this! Don’t rush the process and potentially make a lot more work for yourself.
This may be weird… but could you do a fake window? I looked into these for our basement previously – it’s a light-up panel that mimics sunshine coming in. If you did that (and added curtains to really sell it) you could remove everything else from that wall and wouldn’t have to worry about things potentially getting knocked down.
For me personally, I feel a mirror reflecting my kitchen would feel odd. I’d be able to see myself doing dishes, etc, even if it was only in my peripheral vision. But that’s just me!
I like the mirror option so very much.
Your artwork is gorgeous, but I like the mirror in a white frame better. It gives a restful place for the eyes.
It would totally work to simply use the pinwheel art (which is gorgeous)
and slightly longer shelves. In my opinion, painting the walls takes away
from all the brightly colored objects on display.
I had a similar situation in my dining area: a display of art, a few inches above the top of my chair height. Something seemed missing. I added a long, thin console table (https://www.walmart.com/ip/70-8-Inch-Console-Table-with-3-Drawers-Farmhouse-Entryway-Table-with-Storage-Shelf/3576712259) under the art and it really pulled it all together without much impact on the chairs’ space. Maybe something like this would ground the art without intruding on the area needed for your chairs.
I like the mirror
The wall behind my small dining area that runs into my kitchen, has no windows. I have view windows in the living area opposite that dining/kitchen area. I never thought, at the time, about a mirror. I thrifted a huge framed wall mirror that opened up that area with light and reflection. The best part is the sunsets reflect in the mirror and creates that area to feel twice as large. I’ve never regretted that decision. Another thrifted item for the win.
My opinion……use a mirror if you remove the framed TV.
I like that color of the background of the curtains…it is such a pretty color! Kind of softens the look, and then the white shelves and artwork…perfect! I think a mirror would also look good, but with a lighter/smaller frame. I do love those curtains!
I really like the idea of the mirror on the wall. I also like the pink walls. But, then again, I willl always choose pink.
Personally, I’d leave the TV and make a cover for it. Just a print on a board or stretcher that could be fitted inside the frame and popped out when you want to watch TV while in the kitchen or when it’s just you and Matt eating. You could then pop it back in and have framed art when dining with guests.
I love pink walls and my foyer is pink but I think the blue fabric background wall works better with the curtains and makes the look more intentional and cohesive.
Oh this is a neat idea! I like it!
Does symmetry dictate that the art over the benches be the same? If not can you put the pinwheel art there and the mirror where the tv is?
I like that arrangement a lot
The shelves need to go. If you really want to keep some of the art in the room, do a traditional gallery wall, but mix in 2-3 larger pieces to avoid a cluttered look.
Another idea: my eye is caught by that white threedimensional flower on the top shelf. I think a grouping of 3 of those (or something similar) in different sizes, maybe in colours picked from the drapery fabric, would look stunning and be a simpler focal point.
Or just one large artwork (similar in size to the tv or mirror) or a triptych. I was also thinking sconces would be nice, but since there will be some sort of wall lights on the pantry walls, maybe it would be too much.
For wall colours I think it will be so important to consider all of the walls. Personally, I feel pink would not work at all on the pantry wall or next to (and on the sliver above) the cased opening. Apart from the drapery fabric, the only two elements that actually are fixed in the room (or rather, next to it) are the cabinets in the kitchen and the pantry and I’m guessing those beautiful colours will have a lot of say when it comes to finding the right wall colour. So I think it will be more or less impossible to decide on a wall colour until all other colour elements are gone from the room: the buffet, the pink curtains, the rug and the art on the shelves. If you would be able to do mockups of all three walls/views (tv wall, pantry, cased opening) in photoshop without all the existing elements and only include the new fabric and possibly a green table, maybe things would become clearer?
One final idea for the walls: how about a variation of wainscoting without panelling and just two tones of wall colour and a chair rail? Chair rail could be painted in white for contrast or in that same darker tone that would be below the chair rail. Colour blocking the walls would ground them and add visual interest without looking busy.
I personally dislike gallery walls….I find them cluttered & no place to rest the eye. No offence intended…but that is what I see currently with the shelves & tv. (or with a mirror). And why do the walls have to be an exact match to a colour in the drapery or artwork or whatever is being matched…that has always baffled me. I love colour and your use and love of it as well is amazing.
I would get the table and chairs in before dealing with the wall. The buffet is so lovely. Where are you going to use it? In the new room you are going to build? As far as wall colors, I think you should use the color it is now. The blue and pink make it look like a nursery. Just my opinion.
Personally I wouldn’t paint the walls pink if you are painting your table green. It would come off as too Easter egg like. Why don’t you add the green table and “new” chairs in the existing chat gbt you did then visualize how it all would work. Then begin editing out or exchange.
An electric fireplace would look nice! Not as high as the tv maybe, but a little lower and a mantle under it for more color.
I love the blue with the drapes. Have you considered a plate wall? I like the idea of circular or round things on this wall since there are so many rectangles in the room. Just a thought…
I like using a mirror……… so, YES! I think just replacing the TV is the right choice! Also, even though you didn’t ask, I like the blue paint with the rug.
I don’t like it without the buffet – it feels suspended without any grounding, and top heavy, and visually unbalanced (busy on top, blank below).
IMHO, the shelves with all the sweet, colorful items worked great when this was a TV room because that wall was the focal point of the room – all attention was to be directed to that wall with the TV.
But, now that it is a dining room, the attention is the center where the people dining are…the chandelier, the table, centerpiece, etc.
The high detail on the TV wall is busy with detail to distract from the new focal point…If you were to paint the walls the beautiful blue that is the curtain’s background color and place a large canvas art upon it with perhaps a picture light mounted above it – that could be an arresting piece, but the size of it and centered on the wall, it could provide a background that plays up to the focal point in the center of the room – the people around the beautiful table…
If you really want to bounce some light with mirror, why not do a large mirror on each side of the pantry entry – no need for benches!
Could you relocate this wall’s decor to the TV wall in your upcoming sunroom remodel?
Not only would it look great in there, you could even use your beautiful purple buffet in the same position under the shelves to ground the TV, if you wish.
Especially since you want to orient your oval table in the peninsula-to-wall direction instead of the window-to-pantry door direction, it may feel too crowded to have those protruding shelves there, no matter how great and beloved the decor.
Perhaps a gallery wall or just one good sized piece of art will fill that wall well, and not encroach on the space. And also, then you would also be emphasizing the beautiful view outside your windows instead, which is particularly great for a dining area.
If you can empty out that room of the buffet and TV, and set up in your (not yet refinished) dining table and chairs, you will see how it works with those shelves and decor, or if it feels too tight.
So earlier with the tall displays desired. I saw tall display cabinet + ledges = too much display of smaller things. Also you seem to be scaling up some things (wallpaper entry) vs repetitive patterns (floral wallpaper)
I think the flanking walls by the pantry can be for: end chair (5th/6th) parking, cooper feed, and a symmetrical plant or something to balance the feeding things. I think adjusting the ledges for larger items is best, and most flexible. Or maybe a giant mural. It feels like less is more, and something may show itself in time. Fill the space, but keep it flexible. small items = busier look, larger items = more drama. Just understand how busy you want it to be.
For me I’d see or turning the wall into board and batten with hooks below (I overload hooks at home, need more visual storage) and large ledge.
If you leave the shelves there, you need to retain a buffet of some sort — otherwise, people trying to move around the table will surely bump into the shelves and knock stuff over/off, or even hurt themselves on the sharp corners near the door to your studio.
I think a mirror in a dining space is lovely especially if candles are lit, either real candles or battery operated. The reflection of the flames the mirror provides is really pretty imo 🙂
Your modified pinwheel art gets my vote.
There’s something about having the full shelf going across the wall above the artwork that feels unbalanced or top heavy, somehow, like the artwork is being pushed down by it. I’m not sure what the solution would be, but maybe centering the artwork more on the wall, and then having three shorter shelves all the same length flanking it on either side would be a possibility?
Keep the gallery wall and I like the mirror slightly more than the pinwheel art, but I think both would look great. I just think the mirror gives your eye a place to rest amid all the color and pattern.
I giggled out loud reading that Matt thought your draperies were gray. My dad is the EXACT same way and thinks everything is brown. It doesn’t matter the color. If it’s not white, it’s brown!
I like the mirror because it fills the space better. I would also consider adding one more long shelf under the mirror. It’s not super functional but SYMMETRY. Right now it looks like something belongs under that set up because it does. Or, could you consider removing the long top shelf and just have the side ones plus some art or mirror in the middle.