While traditional gallery walls once felt fresh and expressive, they’re quietly being replaced by something much more personal: the memento wall. Think of it as a moodboard-style evolution of the gallery wall – less about perfectly-picked artwork and more about decorating with meaning and memory.
Gallery walls have had a bit of a fall from glory in the past decade. What was once seen as the new, eclectic way to decorate with art has started to feel a little outdated – and impersonal – in 2026. That's where the idea of a memento wall comes in.
Instead of perfectly matched prints or trendy art, we want artwork that tells the story of our life: framed letters, postcards from travels, napkins, pressed flowers, and even handwritten recipes. And designers tell me they're totally on board with this new sentimental way of decorating.
Is the 'Memento Wall' Replacing Gallery Walls?
What I love most about this approach is how freeing it feels. There's a sense of imperfection to it – and permission for you to collect unexpected things to put in a frame and call it art.
'We’re seeing a real move towards more personal, collected walls rather than overly polished gallery arrangements,' says designer Sean Symington. 'Memento or moodboard-style walls work best when they feel intuitive rather than overly curated.'
Before buying anything new to hang on your walls, gather what’s meaningful to you. 'Framed letters, scarves, napkins, matchbooks, or small artworks become meaningful when they’re tied to memory rather than decoration alone,' says Sean.
Alexis Vitale of the Vitale Design Group adds: 'Framed letters, handwritten notes, napkins from a favorite restaurant, pressed scarves – these pieces carry emotional weight. They’re deeply personal, which is why they feel elevated rather than decorative. Think of it as a curated moodboard for your life – layered, lived-in, and quietly intimate.'
'Memento gallery walls are rising because people are craving spaces that feel personal again,' adds Kailee Blalock from House of Hive Design Co. 'Instead of only hanging traditional artwork, designers are framing items with emotional value: handwritten letters, vintage scarves, napkins from memorable meals, matchbooks, tickets, postcards, pressed flowers, and collected photographs.'
When I created my own memento gallery wall in my entryway, I treated it much like creating a scrapbook. By varying scale, subject, and frame style, my staircase wall feels relaxed and personal, not overly precious. And that’s the beauty of it: there’s no right or wrong way to create this wall decor idea.
As Sean points out, this style of gallery wall works best when it feels intuitive rather than overly curated: 'Not everything needs to be framed in the same way, but there should be a common thread, whether that’s tone, scale, or spacing.'
'We often suggest starting small and allowing the wall to grow over time. When a gallery wall evolves naturally, it feels lived-in and authentic, rather than styled for effect.'
'Sentimental gallery walls are an incredible way to create a home that feels personal and nostalgic,' says Kathy Kuo. 'While there’s something special about an eclectic gallery wall, it helps to determine a unifying color scheme so the design feels cohesive rather than overstimulating,' she advises.
'Choose frames in a consistent material and finish to let the mementos themselves truly shine,' Kathy continues. 'Vary the size and depth of each frame to give your wall a sense of depth and movement, and, pro tip: lay out all your frames on the floor before hanging to make sure you land on an arrangement you love before putting a nail in the wall.'
So while the pieces in the frames may be eclectic, choosing frames that share a color, finish, or material can create a sense of cohesion that brings everything together. Mary Beth Sullivan of MB Sullivan Design advises mixing frames in a similar tone.
'The most intriguing gallery walls incorporate a mix of objects (photos, mementos, textiles, artworks) that range in scale, texture, color, and presentation style,' she says. 'The way to pull it together is to use a similar (not the same) frame. Think a variety of gold or silver frames, light wood, dark woods – establish a storyline with the frame color to bring together the different sizes.'
Ultimately, a memento wall is about joy, memory, and sentiment.
'Rather than perfectly matched art, we love seeing walls tell a story through meaningful pieces: framed letters or invitations, botanicals, silhouettes, and found objects that hold special memories,' says Julia Zajac, lead designer at Camden Grace Interiors
'For my own gallery wall, I approached it like a living scrapbook,' Julia continues. 'The pieces are not meant to stand alone; the interest comes from the mix. I varied subjects, scales, and frame styles, so the wall feels layered and collected rather than overly curated. If it tells your story and brings you joy every time you pass by, it’s working.'
Whether it’s a handwritten family recipe from a loved one, children's artwork, a vintage photo of your grandparents, or a pressed flower from your wedding bouquet, these little framed keepsakes carry a personal meaning that store-bought art alone can’t capture.
Start looking at mementos you've already collected, look to arrange them thoughtfully, and let your wall grow over time to create a unique wall full of memories.
Anthropologie has recently launched a collection of 'gallery wall charms' that are perfect for breaking up frames and adding a collected feel to your display. This sculptural woven shell brings texture and a touch of whimsy to a memento wall.
This aged deposit slip feels like something you'd find in a French thrift store and is ideal for adding character and a sense of history to a memento wall. Its soft patina and handwritten details make it feel extra special.
With its hand-painted stripes in brick red and rose pink, this frame adds personality without overpowering what’s inside. Use it to highlight a meaningful note, menu, or postcard you want to draw the eye to.
A charming starting point for a memento wall, this vintage-style postcard print adds instant nostalgia. It’s the kind of piece that sets the tone for a more sentimental, story-led display, and also makes a lovely gift.
A go-to for three-dimensional mementos, this elegant shadow box is perfect for pressed flowers, a matchbox, textiles, or small keepsakes. The linen backing and brass hardware give sentimental items an elevated feel.
This framed vintage stamp artwork brings a playful note to a memento wall. Whether styled seasonally or year-round, it adds color, pattern, and a sense of charm to the mix.
If you're looking for ways to make your home more unique, there is surely nothing more personal than a gallery wall filled with sentimental, collected mementos to replace the outdated gallery wall display. The good news is that it doesn't matter if your 'artwork' isn't perfectly curated, or if your frames vary in size and shape; in fact, the magic comes from the mix, as Julia says.
