Five Tips for Where and How to Display Family Photos

We have reassembled our family photo gallery wall from our former home in the hallway near the back door. It is pretty much the same with some minor changes.  There aren’t really any hard and fast rules about where to display family photos. I personally think they work best in a family’s personal spaces.  By that I mean, hallways, stairwells, family rooms, libraries, the home office, breakfast areas, etc. I am not suggesting that family photos should never be displayed  in living rooms, dining rooms, and other formal areas. I just think they are more appropriately displayed where the family can enjoy them. Guests can wander in and take a peek if they like but they aren’t “in their face” so to speak.  Let’s take a look at Five Tips for Where and How to Display Family Photos.

If you would love to create a designated spot in your home for family photos, consider these options before you start.

FIVE TIPS FOR WHERE AND HOW TO DISPLAY FAMILY PHOTOS

CHOOSE YOUR SPACE

SELECT YOUR PHOTOS CAREFULLY

CHOOSE A COLOR SCHEME

Consider where they will be hung.  Try and tie in the colors with the surrounding area.

CHOOSE A STYLE

Do you like a cleaner modern look, or prefer a more eclectic look.  If you like a more eclectic look consider incorporating other items (vintage or collected) into the arrangement.

EXPERIMENT WITH THE LAYOUT BEFORE YOU HANG

My decorating partner (the one who figures it all out) always drills this one into my head.

This gallery family photo wall in the home of Michael J Fox and Tracy Pollan photographed by William Abranowicz for Architectural Digest features color photos all in brown frames with white mats.

Actress Brooke Shields created a ledge of family photos and photos that inspire her all in black and white (photographed by William Waldron for Architectural Digest), on a ledge in her office. I would love to do something like this in my own home if I can find the space. I am thinking our new den might be a good fit if I can get Steve to install a ledge.

Emily Henderson creates a clean simple display in this entry with black and white photos in white frames. This arrangement is simple, clean and anyone can pull it off.

I love this oversized art print of family members from the neck down as art from Home Edit.

If you have a long wide hall like this one from Studio McGee.  Why not hang oversized family photos in black and white?

If you love color but don’t want colored images to distract from your color scheme.  Why not do black and white photos with colorful mats like this one from Kaleidescope Living? This is way too much color for me personally, but I absolutely love this idea. This might be a fun idea for capturing pictures of Summer as she grows in another area of our home with a different color scheme that would coordinate with my own look. I think I know a spot where six photos would be perfect.  We could change them out as she grows.

On my personal gallery wall, of course I prefer a more collected look. I combined black, burlwood, and gold, with an old Ballard mirror in the same hue as the burlwood frames. All of the pictures are black and white for continuity. I thought about reinventing the wheel, and doing something completely different, but decided against it.  The burlwood frames and the mirror echo the color of the interior doors in the house and the black picks up some of the color in the floors.  Why change if it isn’t necessary?

I like to lay my gallery wall out on the floor first and figure it out. I figure out the design and Steve makes sure it works (mathematically which is not my strong point).When we compose a gallery wall (Steve and I) we begin at the center and work our way out.  We hung the mirror and the two pics below and then the sides.

I don’t like my pictures/photos to be too spread out.  I think they look disconnected if they are too far away from each other.  I like to hang them about 1 1/2 inches apart or less.

Once you have made sure all of the pictures are level, place double sided tape in the corners. Pictures in hallways tend to get knocked around.

Of course, a few family photos in frames can be displayed almost anywhere as long as you don’t overdo it.   It’s easy to get carried away and if not done correctly, photos can distract from your home’s overall decor. They should coordinate with your decor for a more pleasing look. You might enjoy the articles below if you are considering an area where you would like to display family photos with style.

Martha Stewart Three Easy Ways to Decorate Your Home with Smartphone Photos

Home Edit Stylish Ways to Display Family Photos

Style by Emily Henderson Design Friendly Spaces to Display Family Photos

How to Display Family Photos the Washington Post

Architectural Digest How to Display Family Photos

House and Home Five Stylish Family Photo Display Ideas

I hope you found my Five Tips for Where and How to Display Family Photos helpful if you are planning your own family photo space.  There is no need to purchase expensive frames.  You can find inexpensive frame sets at Target , Michaels,  Wayfair or Etsy if you are looking for a more curated look. Use your imagination and have fun!  You might also enjoy my post The Collected Look and How to Get It.

I will be back on Friday with Sarah and Kim for ideas on what to pack for an upcoming trip.