diff --git a/examples/guis/imgui_basic.py b/examples/guis/imgui_basic.py
index eac39121..9511a1b0 100644
--- a/examples/guis/imgui_basic.py
+++ b/examples/guis/imgui_basic.py
@@ -14,7 +14,7 @@
 import fastplotlib as fpl
 
 # subclass from EdgeWindow to make a custom ImGUI Window to place inside the figure!
-from fastplotlib.ui import EdgeWindow
+from fastplotlib.ui import EdgeWindow, ChangeFlag
 from imgui_bundle import imgui
 
 # make some initial data
@@ -48,41 +48,44 @@ def __init__(self, figure, size, location, title):
         # sigma for gaussian noise
         self._sigma = 0.0
 
+        # a flag that once True, always remains True
+        self._color_changed = ChangeFlag(False)
+        self._data_changed = ChangeFlag(False)
+
+
     def update(self):
-        # the UI will be used to modify the line
-        self._line = figure[0, 0]["sine-wave"]
+        # force flag values to reset
+        self._color_changed.force_value(False)
+        self._data_changed.force_value(False)
 
         # get the current line RGB values
         rgb_color = self._line.colors[:-1]
         # make color picker
-        changed_color, rgb = imgui.color_picker3("color", col=rgb_color)
+        self._color_changed.value, rgb = imgui.color_picker3("color", col=rgb_color)
 
         # get current line color alpha value
         alpha = self._line.colors[-1]
         # make float slider
-        changed_alpha, new_alpha = imgui.slider_float("alpha", v=alpha, v_min=0.0, v_max=1.0)
+        self._color_changed.value, new_alpha = imgui.slider_float("alpha", v=alpha, v_min=0.0, v_max=1.0)
 
-        # if RGB or alpha changed
-        if changed_color | changed_alpha:
+        # if RGB or alpha flag indicates a change
+        if self._color_changed:
             # set new color along with alpha
             self._line.colors = [*rgb, new_alpha]
 
-        # example of a slider, you can also use input_float
-        changed, amplitude = imgui.slider_float("amplitude", v=self._amplitude, v_max=10, v_min=0.1)
-        if changed:
-            # set y values
-            self._amplitude = amplitude
-            self._set_data()
-
         # slider for thickness
         changed, thickness = imgui.slider_float("thickness", v=self._line.thickness, v_max=50.0, v_min=2.0)
         if changed:
             self._line.thickness = thickness
 
+        # example of a slider, you can also use input_float
+        self._data_changed.value, self._amplitude = imgui.slider_float("amplitude", v=self._amplitude, v_max=10, v_min=0.1)
+
         # slider for gaussian noise
-        changed, sigma = imgui.slider_float("noise-sigma", v=self._sigma, v_max=1.0, v_min=0.0)
-        if changed:
-            self._sigma = sigma
+        self._data_changed.value, self._sigma = imgui.slider_float("noise-sigma", v=self._sigma, v_max=1.0, v_min=0.0)
+
+        # data flag indicates change
+        if self._data_changed:
             self._set_data()
 
         # reset button
diff --git a/examples/guis/imgui_decorator.py b/examples/guis/imgui_decorator.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8e51e9a0
--- /dev/null
+++ b/examples/guis/imgui_decorator.py
@@ -0,0 +1,74 @@
+"""
+ImGUI Decorator
+===============
+
+Create imgui UIs quickly using a decorator!
+
+See the imgui docs for extensive examples on how to create all UI elements: https://pyimgui.readthedocs.io/en/latest/reference/imgui.core.html#imgui.core.begin_combo
+"""
+
+# test_example = true
+# sphinx_gallery_pygfx_docs = 'screenshot'
+
+
+import numpy as np
+import imageio.v3 as iio
+import fastplotlib as fpl
+from imgui_bundle import imgui
+
+img_data = iio.imread(f"imageio:camera.png").astype(np.float32)
+
+xs = np.linspace(0, 2 * np.pi, 100)
+ys = np.sin(xs)
+line_data = np.column_stack([xs, ys])
+
+figure = fpl.Figure(shape=(2, 1), size=(700, 660))
+figure[0, 0].add_image(img_data, name="image")
+figure[1, 0].add_line(line_data, name="sine")
+
+noise_sigma = 0.0
+
+img_options = ["camera.png", "astronaut.png", "chelsea.png"]
+img_index = 0
+@figure.add_gui(location="right", title="window", size=300)
+def gui(fig_local):  # figure is the only argument, so you can use it within the local scope of the GUI function
+    global img_data
+    global img_index
+
+    global noise_sigma
+
+    clicked, img_index = imgui.combo("image", img_index, img_options)
+    if clicked:
+        fig_local[0, 0].delete_graphic(fig_local[0, 0]["image"])
+        img_data = iio.imread(f"imageio:{img_options[img_index]}")
+        fig_local[0, 0].add_image(img_data, name="image")
+
+    change, noise_sigma = imgui.slider_float("noise sigma", v=noise_sigma, v_min=0.0, v_max=100)
+    if change or clicked:
+        fig_local[0, 0]["image"].data = img_data + np.random.normal(
+            loc=0.0,
+            scale=noise_sigma,
+            size=img_data.size
+        ).reshape(img_data.shape)
+
+
+# You can put all the GUI elements within on GUI function
+# or split them across multiple functions and use the `append_gui` decorator
+freq = 1.0
+@figure.append_gui(location="right")
+def gui2(fig_local):
+    global freq
+    change, freq = imgui.slider_float("freq", v=freq, v_min=0.1, v_max=10)
+    if change:
+        ys = np.sin(xs * freq)
+        fig_local[1, 0]["sine"].data[:, 1] = ys
+
+
+figure.show()
+figure[1, 0].camera.maintain_aspect = False
+
+# NOTE: fpl.loop.run() should not be used for interactive sessions
+# See the "JupyterLab and IPython" section in the user guide
+if __name__ == "__main__":
+    print(__doc__)
+    fpl.loop.run()
diff --git a/fastplotlib/layouts/_imgui_figure.py b/fastplotlib/layouts/_imgui_figure.py
index c5489023..406d1f0d 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/layouts/_imgui_figure.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/layouts/_imgui_figure.py
@@ -1,3 +1,6 @@
+from __future__ import annotations
+from collections.abc import Callable
+from functools import partial
 from pathlib import Path
 from typing import Literal, Iterable
 
@@ -150,34 +153,215 @@ def _draw_imgui(self) -> imgui.ImDrawData:
 
         return imgui.get_draw_data()
 
-    def add_gui(self, gui: EdgeWindow):
+    def add_gui(
+        self,
+        gui: EdgeWindow = None,
+        location: Literal["right", "bottom"] = "right",
+        title="GUI Window",
+        size: int = 200,
+        window_flags: imgui.WindowFlags_ = imgui.WindowFlags_.no_collapse
+        | imgui.WindowFlags_.no_resize,
+    ):
         """
         Add a GUI to the Figure. GUIs can be added to the left or bottom edge.
 
+        Can also be used as a decorator, see examples docstring and examples gallery.
+
+        For a list of imgui elements see: https://pyimgui.readthedocs.io/en/latest/reference/imgui.core.html#imgui.core.begin_combo
+
+        Note that the API docs for ``pyimgui`` do not match up exactly with ``imgui-bundle`` which we use in
+        fastplotlib. Unfortunately the API docs for imgui-bundle are nonexistent (as far as we know). See the
+        "imgui" section in the docs User Guide which includes tips on how to develop imgui UIs.
+
         Parameters
         ----------
         gui: EdgeWindow
-            A GUI EdgeWindow instance
+            A GUI EdgeWindow instance, if not decorating
+
+        location: str, "right" | "bottom"
+            window location, used if decorating
+
+        title: str
+            window title, used if decorating
+
+        size: int
+            width or height of the window depending on location, used if decorating
+
+        window_flags: imgui.WindowFlags_, default imgui.WindowFlags_.no_collapse | imgui.WindowFlags_.no_resize,
+            imgui.WindowFlags_ enum, used if decorating
+
+        Examples
+        --------
+
+        As a decorator::
+
+            import numpy as np
+            import fastplotlib as fpl
+            from imgui_bundle import imgui
+
+            figure = fpl.Figure()
+            figure[0, 0].add_line(np.random.rand(100))
+
+
+            @figure.add_gui(location="right", title="yay", size=100)
+            def gui(fig): # figure is the only argument, so you can use it within the local scope of the GUI function
+                if imgui.button("reset data"):
+                    fig[0, 0].graphics[0].data[:, 1] = np.random.rand(100)
+
+            figure.show(maintain_aspect=False)
+
+        Subclass EdgeWindow::
+
+            import numpy as np
+            import fastplotlib as fpl
+            from fastplotlib.ui import EdgeWindow
+
+            figure = fpl.Figure()
+            figure[0, 0].add_line(np.sin(np.linspace(0, np.pi * 4, 0.1)), name="sine")
+
+            class GUI(EdgeWindow):
+                def __init__(self, figure, location="right", size=200, title="My GUI", amplitude=1.0)
+                    self._figure = figure
+
+                    self._amplitude = 1
+
+                def compute_data(self):
+                    ampl = self._amplitude
+                    new_data = ampl * np.sin(np.linspace(0, np.pi * 4, 0.1))
+                    self._figure[0, 0]["sine"].data[:, 1] = new_data
+
+                def update(self):
+                    # gui update function
+                    changed, amplitude = imgui.slider_float("amplitude", v=self._amplitude, v_max=10, v_min=0.1)
+                    if changed:
+                        self._amplitude = amplitude
+                        self.compute_data()
+
+            # create GUI instance and add to the figure
+            gui = GUI(figure)
+            figure.add_gui(gui)
 
         """
-        if not isinstance(gui, EdgeWindow):
-            raise TypeError(
-                f"GUI must be of type: {EdgeWindow} you have passed a {type(gui)}"
-            )
 
-        location = gui.location
+        def decorator(_gui: EdgeWindow | Callable):
+            if not callable(_gui) and not isinstance(_gui, EdgeWindow):
+                raise TypeError(
+                    "figure.add_gui() must be used as a decorator, or `gui` must be an `EdgeWindow` instance"
+                )
+
+            if location not in GUI_EDGES:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"GUI does not have a valid location, valid locations are: {GUI_EDGES}, you have passed: {location}"
+                )
+
+            if self.guis[location] is not None:
+                raise ValueError(
+                    f"GUI already exists in the desired location: {location}"
+                )
+
+            if not isinstance(gui, EdgeWindow):
+                # being used as a decorator, create an EdgeWindow
+                edge_window = EdgeWindow(
+                    figure=self,
+                    size=size,
+                    location=location,
+                    title=title,
+                    update_call=partial(
+                        _gui, self
+                    ),  # provide figure instance in scope of the gui function
+                    window_flags=window_flags,
+                )
+                window_location = location  # creating this reference is required
+            else:
+                edge_window = _gui  # creating this reference is required
+                window_location = _gui.location  # creating this reference is required
+
+            # store the gui
+            self.guis[window_location] = edge_window
+
+            # redo the layout
+            self._fpl_reset_layout()
+
+            # return function being decorated
+            return _gui
+
+        if gui is None:
+            # assume decorating
+            return decorator
+
+        # EdgeWindow instance passed
+        decorator(gui)
+
+    def append_gui(self, gui: Callable = None, location: str = None):
+        """
+        Append to an existing GUI. Can also be used as a decorator.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        gui: Callable
+            function that creates imgui elements
+
+        location: str, "right" or "bottom"
+            the existing GUI window to append more UI elements to
+
+        """
+
+        if location is None:
+            raise ValueError("Must provide GUI location to append to.")
 
         if location not in GUI_EDGES:
             raise ValueError(
                 f"GUI does not have a valid location, valid locations are: {GUI_EDGES}, you have passed: {location}"
             )
 
-        if self.guis[location] is not None:
-            raise ValueError(f"GUI already exists in the desired location: {location}")
+        if self.guis[location] is None:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"No GUI at given location to append to: {location}"
+            )
+
+        def decorator(_gui: Callable):
+            gui = self.guis[location]
+            if isinstance(gui._update_call, list):
+                gui._update_call.append(_gui)
+            else:
+                gui._update_call = [gui._update_call]
+                gui._update_call.append(partial(_gui, self))
+
+            return _gui
+
+        if gui is None:
+            return decorator
+
+        decorator(gui)
+
+    def remove_gui(self, location: str) -> EdgeWindow:
+        """
+        Remove an imgui UI
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        location: str
+            "right" | "bottom"
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        EdgeWindow | Callable
+            The removed EdgeWindow instance
+
+        """
+
+        if location not in GUI_EDGES:
+            raise ValueError(
+                f"location not valid, valid locations are: {GUI_EDGES}, you have passed: {location}"
+            )
+
+        gui = self.guis.pop(location)
 
-        self.guis[location] = gui
+        # reset to None for this location
+        self.guis[location] = None
 
-        self._fpl_reset_layout()
+        # return EdgeWindow instance, it can be added again later
+        return gui
 
     def get_pygfx_render_area(self, *args) -> tuple[int, int, int, int]:
         """
diff --git a/fastplotlib/ui/__init__.py b/fastplotlib/ui/__init__.py
index a1e57a9c..0ff1d513 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/ui/__init__.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/ui/__init__.py
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 from ._base import BaseGUI, Window, EdgeWindow, Popup, GUI_EDGES
 from ._subplot_toolbar import SubplotToolbar
 from .right_click_menus import StandardRightClickMenu, ColormapPicker
+from ._utils import ChangeFlag
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/fastplotlib/ui/_base.py b/fastplotlib/ui/_base.py
index e31dd8d4..f6e43544 100644
--- a/fastplotlib/ui/_base.py
+++ b/fastplotlib/ui/_base.py
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
+from collections.abc import Callable
 from typing import Literal
-import numpy as np
 
 from imgui_bundle import imgui
 
@@ -42,8 +42,9 @@ def __init__(
         size: int,
         location: Literal["bottom", "right"],
         title: str,
-        window_flags: int = imgui.WindowFlags_.no_collapse
+        window_flags: imgui.WindowFlags_ = imgui.WindowFlags_.no_collapse
         | imgui.WindowFlags_.no_resize,
+        update_call: Callable = None,
         *args,
         **kwargs,
     ):
@@ -64,7 +65,7 @@ def __init__(
         title: str
             window title
 
-        window_flags: int
+        window_flags: imgui.WindowFlags_
             window flag enum, valid flags are:
 
             .. code-block:: py
@@ -94,10 +95,10 @@ def __init__(
                 imgui.WindowFlags_.no_inputs
 
         *args
-            additional args for the GUI
+            additional args
 
         **kwargs
-            additional kwargs for teh GUI
+            additional kwargs
         """
         super().__init__()
 
@@ -115,6 +116,11 @@ def __init__(
 
         self._figure.canvas.add_event_handler(self._set_rect, "resize")
 
+        if update_call is None:
+            self._update_call = self.update
+        else:
+            self._update_call = update_call
+
     @property
     def size(self) -> int | None:
         """width or height of the edge window"""
@@ -185,11 +191,8 @@ def get_rect(self) -> tuple[int, int, int, int]:
     def draw_window(self):
         """helps simplify using imgui by managing window creation & position, and pushing/popping the ID"""
         # window position & size
-        x, y, w, h = self.get_rect()
         imgui.set_next_window_size((self.width, self.height))
         imgui.set_next_window_pos((self.x, self.y))
-        # imgui.set_next_window_pos((x, y))
-        # imgui.set_next_window_size((w, h))
         flags = self._window_flags
 
         # begin window
@@ -198,8 +201,12 @@ def draw_window(self):
         # push ID to prevent conflict between multiple figs with same UI
         imgui.push_id(self._id_counter)
 
-        # draw stuff from subclass into window
-        self.update()
+        # draw imgui UI elements into window
+        if isinstance(self._update_call, list):
+            for update_call in self._update_call:
+                update_call()
+        else:
+            self._update_call()
 
         # pop ID
         imgui.pop_id()
diff --git a/fastplotlib/ui/_utils.py b/fastplotlib/ui/_utils.py
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..32c6f9f6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/fastplotlib/ui/_utils.py
@@ -0,0 +1,46 @@
+class ChangeFlag:
+    """
+    A flag that helps detect whether an imgui UI has been changed by the user.
+    Basically, once True, always True.
+
+    Example::
+
+        changed = ChangeFlag(False)
+
+        changed.value, bah = (False, False)
+
+        print(changed.value)
+
+        changed.value, bah = (True, False)
+
+        print(changed.value)
+
+        changed.value, bah = (False, False)
+
+        print(changed.value)
+
+    """
+
+    def __init__(self, value: bool):
+        self._value = bool(value)
+
+    @property
+    def value(self) -> bool:
+        return self._value
+
+    @value.setter
+    def value(self, value: bool):
+        if value:
+            self._value = True
+
+    def __bool__(self):
+        return self.value
+
+    def __or__(self, other):
+        return self._value | other
+
+    def __eq__(self, other):
+        return self.value == other
+
+    def force_value(self, value):
+        self._value = value