I’m sharing a sneak peek of my laundry room makeover today. The room isn’t finished and I’m working slowly, but I couldn’t resist showing one wall I’m absolutely loving. Consider this a little preview of what’s to come.
The lighting in this space is challenging—there’s no natural light—so photos aren’t great right now. I plan to invest in better lighting for interior shots, and the images will improve as the room comes together.
My painted photo frame gallery wall was inspired by a thrifted frame wall I admired online. I loved the emerald green in that version, but I’ve built this laundry room around an orange, turquoise, and navy color scheme, so I leaned into those shades instead.
I picked up a variety of frames from my local Goodwill in one trip. I paid about $30 for the lot. That’s not the absolute cheapest way to collect frames, but for the convenience of filling a wall with cohesive shapes and textures, plus the cost of a sample pot of paint, it felt like a good investment.
I removed the backs and glass from all the frames so they’re ready for painting and, later, for building some custom frames from reclaimed wood I have on hand. Having the glass saved will be useful for those future projects.
Painting the frames took longer than I expected. Sometimes a project stalls when you don’t love the direction it’s heading—I call that DIY derail. You can work steadily and then suddenly hit a wall where nothing feels right. It often takes me a while to find a solution, but once I know what I want, I’m excited to finish.
A good example is the orange frames. I initially used a Rust-Oleum orange spray paint that looked beautiful up close but read too bright on the wall—think college-team bright orange, which didn’t fit my aesthetic. I tried to tone them down with a homemade brown glaze made from craft paint and water, but the glossy spray paint resisted and it turned into a messy experiment. Lesson learned: test finishes and glazes on a small piece before committing.
After some hesitation, I found a photo of a coral frame wall that felt perfect for my space. The color I settled on is Sherwin-Williams “Rejuvenate.” I picked up a sample pot and fell in love. That color shifted the whole look toward the coastal vibe I wanted.
I ended up repainting a lot in the laundry room—many surfaces got at least two coats in different colors while I dialed in the palette. It was a reminder to try small color samples first; picking the right color up front saves time and frustration.
Now that the frames are painted the right coral tone, they feel friendly and coastal. I’m using beach photos from our travels to reinforce the theme—if I’m going to be doing laundry, I might as well be reminded of the beach. I’ll probably rotate the photos seasonally or as inspiration strikes.
For a whimsical touch, I attached starfish to the wall with hot glue. It’s a simple solution for a decorative accent; I don’t expect to remove them soon, so time will tell how they hold up and whether they take any paint with them when removed.
You may also notice board-and-batten trim and hooks on the wall; that portion isn’t finished yet, so I’ll share more in the full laundry room reveal. I painted the door to the garage in Hale Navy to tie in with other navy accents in the house, which helps the whole space feel cohesive.
If you’re considering a painted frame gallery wall, here are a few practical tips from my experience:
- Source frames from thrift stores to build variety and texture without spending a lot.
- Remove glass and backing before painting so you can finish frames easily and reuse the glass later.
- Buy a small sample of paint and test it on a single frame or a poster board before committing.
- Expect to repaint if the color doesn’t read right on the wall—it’s better to adjust now than to live with a color you don’t love.
- Use strong but removable adhesives for decorative accents if you think you’ll want to change them later.
What do you think of my painted frame gallery? Have you ever painted something only to repaint it soon after—what I call painter’s remorse? I’d love to hear your stories and tips for finishing a gallery wall.