See how I decorated a kitchen gallery wall around a light switch, using affordable vintage inspired art and some fun DIYs! Get ideas for styling your own kitchen walls! Post contains affiliate links.
When you think of gallery walls, you might picture a huge statement wall filled with frames from top to bottom. They sound overwhelming. But, I love how even a tiny, awkward wall can become a fun little design moment. My kitchen has this narrow wall, just a little over two feet wide. When we moved in, it really needed something.
That’s when it hit me: gallery walls don’t always have to be big and sprawling. They’re actually a wonderful way to work with the things that might otherwise stick out, like a light switch, a thermostat, or even a TV! Instead of trying to hide them, a gallery wall blends them in beautifully.
And because this wall was so small, a decor wall felt really manageable. I didn’t need a dozen frames or a big budget to make an impact. Just a few carefully chosen pieces made it feel intentional and charming. Even better, most of my items were things I already had or thrifted. This was my ten year old farmhouse-inspired wall with a Walmart calendar chalkboard and free printable art in a thrift store frame.
I have been wanting to change it up, and today finally I’m refreshing it into something a little more vintage and cozy!
The shift began when I stumbled on a piece of $3 art at Goodwill a couple weeks ago. I wasn’t sure exactly how I’d use it, but I knew I had to bring it home. When I realized it was the exact same size as one of the frames already on the wall, it felt like the perfect excuse to finally re-imagine the wall!
The Magic of Rub ’n Buff ✨
A new-to-me crafting medium I’ve become a little obsessed with lately is Rub ’n Buff. It’s such a fun way to give old items a new life.
I decided to try it on both the Goodwill art frame and the cast-iron spoon and fork I had hanging on this wall.
The finish transformed them — suddenly, everything blended together with a warmer, more cohesive look while still keeping that collected charm I love.
Turning a Broken Mirror into A Chalkboard
The other piece that sparked this makeover was a large gilded mirror I’d found months ago at Hobby Lobby for just $10. It had a crack in the glass, but I saw its potential and planned to turn it into something…a chalkboard, corkboard? I wasn’t sure at the time, but I knew it would be something!
Removing the mirror turned out to be trickier than I thought! I was foolishly hoping it would be as simple as bending back these metal tabs!
Letting the piece sit in the sun helped soften the adhesive, but I still ended up cracking it further as I pried it out. (If you ever try this, I definitely recommend taping the mirror well first for safety.)
Once the glass was out, I attached a peel-and-stick magnetic chalkboard roll kit to the backing. This material is much thicker and sturdier than regular chalkboard contact paper, which made it easy to apply smoothly without bubbles.
It also came with an erasing cloth, and colorful chalk crayons with holders for the kids!
A quick trim around the edges, and it was a perfect fit. We hung the chalkboard with a drywall anchor. We positioned it low enough for the kids to draw on, but high enough that I can use it as a menu board when I want. This magnetic chalkboard already become a family favorite! My kids love doodling all over it with colorful chalk, and it’s become a place for silly family messages!
The Finishing Touches 🖼
To complete the update, I swapped out our old “house rules” sign for the new DIY chalkboard, and added the refreshed $3 artwork along with an affordable find from Hobby Lobby! Finally, I treated the wall to a new antique-style light switch cover I found on Amazon. I love these covers because they offer every configuration imaginable, even a really odd one like mine!
Kitchen Gallery Wall, The Joy of Tiny Changes!
This little wall makeover didn’t cost much at all! It was mostly thrift finds and a few affordable updates, but it made a big impact!
The kitchen instantly feels fresher, more personal, and full of character. I love that the space is useful with the chalkboard but mostly beautiful, with pieces that tell a story. It’s amazing how just a few thoughtful switches can completely change the feel of a room. I couldn’t be happier with how it turned out!
If you enjoyed this kitchen gallery wall makeover, you might also like the gallery wall in this roll top desk update!
