Unexpected Items to Display on a Gallery Wall

Every home can benefit from a well-curated gallery wall, and some of the best walls contain more than just framed art. If you’re looking to take your display to the next level, consider adorning your wall with one or more of the following items, all of which you should be able to easily source at thrift stores and estate sales.

Mirrors

Gallery walls with small mirrors woven into the mix can look so elegant and chic. If you find a cute mirror that is too tiny for day to day functional use, scoop it up and incorporate it into your gallery display. Plus, even if it’s on the petite side, any mirror will help sunlight bounce around your space, which is an added bonus.

Clocks

As with mirrors, vintage clocks look great incorporated into gallery walls, too. Their circular shape can also help to break up the monotony of square and rectangle-shaped frames, and they provide an instant function—what’s not to love? 

Tennis Rackets

Love the East Coast, all-American vibe? Bring this look to life with the help of a vintage tennis racket or two. You can anchor these on either end of a gallery wall, positioning them upright, or display one horizontally at the top or bottom of your gallery wall. No matter what you decide, know that this type of piece will add welcome texture and character to your home—it’s an instant conversation starter!

Framed Textiles

If you come across a beautiful scarf or handkerchief while shopping at an estate sale, consider popping it into a frame and displaying it as art. Many people enjoy showcasing high-end Hermes scarves as artwork in their homes, but don’t get caught up by the brand name here. If you find a textile that speaks to you and complements your home’s color scheme, that’s all that matters! 

Candle Sconces

These aren’t just for displaying on either side of the mantel or by the bed; candle sconces can look fabulous grouped with art pieces, too. It doesn’t matter if you come across a pair, a singular sconce, or an array of different sconces. With a little creativity, you can weave any or all of these into a gallery wall. 

Cutting Boards

Making a gallery wall for the walkway that leads to your kitchen? Pick up a wooden cutting board or two to hang up. This look is especially ideal for a rustic-chic or farmhouse style home, and the organic nature of the wood will add an earthy feel to your space. 

Hats

Add some Western flair to your home by hanging a vintage cowboy hat on the wall, or display a special baseball hat as a nod to your favorite team. Easy to remove as needed, hats will add personality to your wall (and you won’t run the risk of them getting squished in a closet!). 

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

January 28, 2025     Updated 03:01 PM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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