Pinterest Picture Frame Wall Decor

In my next life, I want to be an interior designer. I love decorating and home decor, taking on projects, and helping others do the same.

Example of a rectangular photo wall display.

Creating a Gallery Wall

A large gallery display of photographs is an attractive way to infuse any room with warmth and style.

Since I love taking pictures (especially of my daughters) and had a large unused wall, I wanted to create a striking photo display but wasn't sure exactly how to do it and achieve the effect I was looking for.

So, I did a whole bunch of research on the best ways to display photos on a wall and compiled what I learned here for the benefit of others, like me, who have lots of pictures just waiting to be hung on a big empty wall.

My family photo wall display. I chose to use all gold and brown wood tones, with the exception of the two unframed canvas prints. I have found that this overall shape is easily tweaked if I decide I want to add a couple more frames here and there.

Basic Principles of Arranging a Photo Wall Display

It sounds simple: Just place your favorite pictures in frames of different sizes and shapes and hang them in a mosaic pattern. There are, however, some general guidelines that will help make your wall look especially beautiful.

Frames should hang at eye level (slightly above five feet from the floor). Hang them a little bit higher if you have high ceilings (or a very tall family).
Help the display come together by using similar photo styles (i.e. black-and-white or sepia), frames, or mat color. Don't be afraid to contrast. For example, if you're using all black-and-white photos, use frames of varying textures and sizes to add some pizzazz.
Some interesting but simple arrangements include diamond or rectangular shapes. You might want to choose one that will be easy to add to until you've formed an overall shape that works for you.
If you're short on space, consider collage or multi-picture frames. With this type of frame, you're able to artfully display many photos in a small amount of space. Many options exist in this category and you can easily find both hanging and tabletop designs.
A great hanging kit can work wonders in helping to easily and efficiently complete your photo wall display!

What You'll Need

Before you start, you'll need the following:

Frames
Pictures
Hanging equipment (nails and a hammer, or hooks if you want to avoid marking up your wall)
Laser level or push pins and thread (for keeping the frames straight)
Paper and scissors (optional)

How to arrange photo frames on wall - do this first!

How to Start Creating the Photo Wall of Your Dreams

Determine what kind of look you're going for—sleek, homey, whimsical, artsy, etc.
Choose the pictures you want to feature. It might help to start out with more than you need and then narrow down based on space, mood, or fit.
Before putting any nails in the wall, lay the frames on the ground and play with different arrangements to see how they'll look. Start at the center and work outwards. For example, if you're going for a rectangular look, choose your wall, then place three identical size frames in the center to establish a focal point. Then add rows, grouping pictures about 1–2 inches apart, to form a square or rectangle.
Once you've found a shape you like, transfer it frame by frame to the wall.
Another way to find an arrangement that is pleasing to the eye is to use paper outlines of the pieces you wish to hang; tape them to the wall to help visualize alternative arrangements and decide how you want to proceed (see video above).
To hang straight rows of frames—always a timeless and sophisticated option—use string stretched between two pushpins as a guide. You can also choose to use a laser level to accomplish this. Make sure to use a level after hanging each frame to be sure each frame is straight before moving on to the next.
Remember, multiple frames look best when arranged in a diamond, rectangular, or square shape. Also, they should be spaced relatively tightly:1–2 inches apart. A looser grouping can work for a more casual display.
For stairwell displays, make sure you follow the upward angle of the steps. This can be made easier by using string and pushpins or a laser level.

You might want to have a wall-decoration-hanging buddy who can give you feedback on the design as it takes shape! As a bonus, they can also help you make sure everything is level.

Creating a Dramatic Display: Hints for Heightening the Wow Factor of Your Photo Wall

Here are some tips for taking your design to the next level:

Choosing identical frame styles is a great way to make a powerful design statement. Matching frames, sizes, colors (of the pictures or frames), or textures is a way to play with symmetry and bring your display together.
Mix it up, using a combination of shadow boxes and framed works. A mixture of textures and patterns is always pleasing to the eye (when done in moderation).
Have a focal point in your display. Its center should be at eye level (66 inches off the ground is a good rule of thumb).
Instead of one big arrangement of photos, you could also create several groupings of smaller framed pictures that will complement your furniture and floor coverings.
Another option is producing the impression of a single dramatic image by framing similar pictures or pieces of art (like a series of abstract paintings) in similarly-sized frames and hanging them tightly together.
Wall color plays a big part in how photographs look. Take a hint from museums and use a contrast color to add drama.
Pictures and/or artwork don't always have to be framed. You could hang unframed prints or pictures from a length of wire with clips for an unconventional display.
If you can't or don't want to hang pictures, you could opt for placing pictures on a ledge, spacing them evenly, and staggering frame heights. You could even overlap a couple of the frames.
Use frame risers to add depth to your display, bringing some photos forward off the wall.
People love stories. Line up framed pieces in chronological order to build a timeline of your growing child, a family vacation, or another important event, and let your visitors connect the dots.
If you need some more inspiration, this article from Pottery Barn has some nice frame layouts for you to consider.

More Display Ideas for Your Wall!

Here's an example of using similarly sized frame and starting with three in the center, then adding a row on top and bottom. In this case, the same number of frames were added to create a nice square display.

Co-Design in Action

Carolyn (from the comments below) contacted me wanting some help creating a display of her daughter's wedding pictures for her stairwell. I gave her some tips and she created a draw-up, almost to scale, of the number and size of frames she wanted to use.

When she had trouble tweaking it, she emailed the drawings to me for help. I printed it out (it all fit on one page) and cut out all of the individual frames. Then I had some fun on my desk moving them around and creating several potential designs.

I photographed each one and emailed the pictures to her and she loved them. I repeated the process here so readers can see just how easy it is to play around with ideas until you figure out which one works for you.

Four Different Collage Ideas for the Stairwell with the Same Frames

(sizes are in cm, in case you're wondering!)

Good Luck!

I hope this was helpful! If you have any other questions, tips or comments, say so below in the comments section.

This article is accurate and true to the best of the author's knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.

Questions & Answers

Question: I have a long wall that my sofa is centered on. Some art is centered above my sofa. On each side, I have three feet. How do I fill those bare spaces?

Answer: What typically works for your situation are a few things: you can hang a nice sconce on each side, or break up space with a tall bookcase or even a floor lamp. If you have side tables next to that sofa, you can place a couple of tall table lamps on them, or a nice pot with tall flowers or a plant to somewhat fill that space. Remember, open space is often good, it gives the eyes a rest, and it doesn't have to be the exact same thing on each side (unless it's sconces, of course, as they should match). My favorite option is sconces if you're able to do that. I hope that I've answered it with a solution for you.

Question: What would be the best way to display five framed 8x10's and two 4x6's on the wall?

Answer: It's hard to say without knowing things like what's around it and how large of a wall space is it; however, I feel like 4x6's are pretty small to be hanging on a wall so the best way to do so would be together with the larger frames on a floating shelf. There are a couple of examples above in the pictures with the blue background.

Question: My husband wants to hang 8x10 framed photos of each of our 3 daughter's school pictures going up our staircase. I am afraid it will look cluttered and overwhelming if I vary the frame styles. Do you have any suggestions for how to make this project look classic and composed? We have a very old house with a lot of golden brown oak woodwork, so a more formal look would be better.

Answer: 8x10 isn't very big so I don't think it'll be too cluttered. As for the frames, if you want them to be different, which I thing would be nice, I would stick with the same frame color. You could also do the opposite and choose different coordinating colors but I'd keep the frame style the same. Hope this helps!

Question: Do you have any easy ideas on how to display many of 8x10 sports photos?

Answer: Take a look at the third thumbnail picture under "More Display Ideas for Your Wall!" - those are 8"x10" frames. Also, slightly above that, there's are some arrangement ideas with a blue background. The very bottom left picture is almost the same but with some spacing in between the frames. For your sports pictures, which are all the same size, I think this kind of arrangement would work best.

Question: I have a wall that measures 9'x9' and eight pictures that are 16"x20" each. How should I arrange my pictures on my wall?

Answer: For starters, I have to say that if there's a way to add another picture to your collection, it could be a much nicer composition. That being said, you should really check out the arrangements at the link provided in the article (https://www.potterybarn.com/tips-and-ideas/how-to-... If it must be eight pictures, take a look at the last arrangement example there, called "Centered." As all of the pictures are the same size, I would spread the outer three on each side evenly. You won't have a square, but if each side was a little higher and an equal amount lower than the center two, I believe you'd have a nice arrangement. Another option would be to do two rows of 4, evenly spaced.

Question: What would be the best display for 5x7 frames of 7 grandchildren?

Answer: A random grouping or a level, a straight row would probably be best, but it greatly depends on the space you're trying to fill as well. There are several examples above in the article that you can look through to get ideas and inspiration.

Question: What is the best way to hang a picture that is 48' x 16" with 8x10's around it?

Answer: That will depend on a lot of things, actually. Is the 48 x 16 hanging horizontal or vertical? How many 8 x 10s? What does the wall look like - size?

Debbie on April 15, 2019:

I have a 16 x 20, 2 - 11 x 14, and 2 - 8 x 10 . The 16 x 20 has a mate with several openings for different size pictuers. not sure the wall measurements. they wiil be displayed in my dining room. Just trying to figure out the best lay out. any suggestions

Bronia on July 06, 2016:

Hello. Have you got a photo of the whole wall in the pic with the yellow wall? It looms so awesome i want to copy it.

Thanks

Lisa on July 08, 2015:

i love to take photograph but feel kind of cheesy hanging my pics in my house. I want to do a gallery wall in stairwell. I can do simile ear frames but some of the pics are color some are not. Some are landscapes, still life or of family. Can you mix all those successfully or do you have several groupings in other rooms.....keeping family together, black/white together and color together?

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on March 22, 2015:

Thank you all for your comments! Claudia, a cluttered wall of pictures can be wonderfully eclectic! Easy Exercise, thank you for the lovely compliment of my hub - so glad I could help! Kristen - you absolutely CAN mix art and photos! Go for it!

Kristen Howe from Northeast Ohio on March 08, 2015:

I love that idea of a photo wall. I wish I had more photos in my new apartment. Maybe it would work with artwork as well, right? Awesome hub. Voted up!

Kelly A Burnett from United States on March 08, 2015:

LilyRose,

This is on my list - perhaps near the top. I have a beautiful stairway and you have provided the cookbook guidance of how to get this done!

Also I have several vintage photos I have recently collected for the basement and have them on the floor wondering how to do this.

You have written the encyclopedia of how to for picture groupings. Will share out on Twitter and Pinterest both!

Five stars, voted up!

Claudia Mathews on March 01, 2015:

This will come in handy. I tend to see wall space and want to fill it and I end up with too many pictures cluttering every inch of wall. Thanks for sharing.

Goringe Accountants from London, UK on September 22, 2014:

This is always something that has bugged me in life. Thanks for some great ideas!

Tania S Lopez from Fayettevile, NC on September 17, 2014:

I love taking tons of pictures as well. My only fear is making my wall look too cluttered!! But after reading this , it makes me want to play with my pictures a little and see what I come up with!! Lol

Harneet from Foster City, CA on August 07, 2014:

wow great practical tips!

Emma from Houston TX on July 13, 2014:

I love decoration so much with pictures.pictures serves as reminders of the past.they help you remember the events that happened in your life

Deborah Sexton on June 24, 2014:

Great hub. Picturse can be hard to hang correctly. You have given some great frame display patterns.

Treasures By Brenda from Canada on March 12, 2014:

I've done this albeit on a much smaller scale!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 13, 2014:

Thank you all!

Evan Smiley on January 04, 2014:

Thanks for the information! Awesome tips! I never know how to arrange photos!!!

FullOfLoveSites from United States on October 07, 2013:

What a great idea, Lily! For this I also plan to print my Instagram photos and put them in the way you did. Thanks for sharing! :)

rose-the planner from Toronto, Ontario-Canada on August 05, 2013:

Great article and wonderful tips on displaying photographs on walls. I thought your images were wonderful. Thank you for sharing. (Voted Up) -Rose

Elizabeth Parker from Las Vegas, NV on August 05, 2013:

Great job explaining this. I love the way you decorated your own wall, as well as the juxtaposition and the simple lines. This comes in handy as I plan to print many of the photos I took and put them into frames. Will be bookmarking and sharing!

Lisa from WA on July 19, 2013:

Great tips and ideas! I've been trying to figure out how to display some of my pictures in my new place and I will definitely be referring back to this for some inspiration.

Tony Sky from London UK on July 16, 2013:

Thanks for this information and good ideas I never thought I needed!!

Better Yourself from North Carolina on July 15, 2013:

Great hub! I love the idea of the frames going up the staircase but staggered and touching each other - haven't seen it like this before and love it!

prasetio30 from malang-indonesia on April 21, 2013:

Very informative and creative as well. I love your tips above. Thanks for writing and sharing with us. Up and useful :-)

Prasetio

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on April 21, 2013:

Kari,

I know my response is quite late but for some reason I didn't get a notification of your message, at least I don't recall getting one. Well, to answer your question, I don't know for sure the frame sizes, but I would venture a guess that there is a mix there of 4x6, 5x7, 8x10, and 11x14 or even 12x16s.

Julie on March 03, 2013:

With a freshly painted stairwell painted in a metallic bronze statue color just like someone had posted in a picture to Pinterest, my husband and I have now shifted our attention to creating a display of photos on that wall. The wall still lies barren, because this is a fairly intimidating step--at least for two people as OCD as my husband and I. Everything has to be perfect, and, you can imagine, I expect measuring alone to take us hours upon hours. Thanks for the great hub and tips!

Kari on February 20, 2013:

Hi, I was wondering if you knew the sizes of the frames on the graphic rectangular photo display. So cool! But I wish I knew the sizes. Could you respond to Kascokb@gmail.com?! Thank you!!

HelpfulHints12121 on December 13, 2012:

Great ideas, presented really well. A good mounting system for lots of photos in a large display is called versaframe. It's a simple product that lets you design your own displays at versaframe.com. Thanks for the tips Lily!

Norpro Webstore on December 06, 2012:

Nice Looking Ideas for photo. I want to share this on my site norprowebsstore.com. How Can I share this.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on August 28, 2012:

Tara - Somehow your comment/questions slipped through the cracks. I don't know if you'll be back to check but I wanted to answer your question - Yes, you can absolutely mix in canvases with frames. If you take a look at the first image at the beginning up above it shows my photo wall and I have two black & white canvases anchoring each end of the arangement. The canvases can be located anywhere in the arrangement.

fotoviva from Swansea on July 20, 2012:

Hi Lily, just wanted to say thanks for such a detailed article on how you can hang your wall art. I'm a fan of the random, unordered look myself - it has a charm that structured prints cannot match.

Tara on July 05, 2012:

I love your Hub! I'm taking down a large mirror in our living room and turning it into a Photo Wall. You've given many good visuals to share with my husband. We are going to do white frames with both pics of family and nature. My question...can we mix white frames and color canvas prints? My mom just gave us a large color canvas of our wedding day. I'd like to add that in with the other frames. Would this look good? Would it be best to have two canvases and then the frames...to create a more balanced look? Thanks for your suggestions!

Happy Trekker on December 25, 2011:

Hi Lily Rose. You might suppose that I love the outdoors more than my relatives, therefore my photo collection of the former is quite substantial. My single-story home has no stairways, but 10 and 11 foot walls. So rather than arranging picture frames of relatives, I'm thinking about attaching rectangular, fabric-covered frames to the walls with photo collages of the great outdoors.

My problem is figuring out where to start. A few pointers from experts on photo collages and displaying nature rather faces would be quite helpful.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on December 04, 2011:

Yes, Karry! If you look at the set of pictures at the top of this hub, the 1st, 3rd, and 6th pictures all include black and white pictures combined with color photos. Make the arrangement cohesive with frames that are alike, or at least similar. The 3rd picture (in the first set at the top) looks as if the frames are all different, but if you look carefully they all have gold, wheather the frame color or trim, and that makes them cohesive. Best of luck with your arrangement and thanks for visiting and the question.

Karry on December 02, 2011:

I have a Q can I display a mix of monocromatic and colored pics on the wall.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on November 13, 2011:

Ruth, thank you for your comment - I'm happy to hear that you stumbled upon my hub! There are definitely lots of options for photo displays even on a budget. I love your idea of actually having your photographs spell something out. There's also photo pockets that are inexpensive (there's a link up above under "Collage Photo Displays:"). Also, photojojo.com has some cool magnetic cords for displaying pictures and more great stuff.

Good luck and thank you for your comment!

Ruth on November 11, 2011:

Hey Lily , I googled and clicked i'm feeling lucky and stumbled apon this blog , i read all your idea's and i think you put in so much effort , it's a really good read and ot my mind going , unfortunatley , i'm sixteen and most of the concepts and designs incorporated frames and or different size photos , which as i student is above my buget , i was looking for more of a cool layout for my 6x4 photos, i'm thinking of going for the word L I F E across my purple wall , the letters being made up of photots , i'm posting to let you know that i think your idea's are great and that the effort you made is great 1

RSVP,

Ruth , Ireland

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on September 29, 2011:

I consider myself to be a very detail oriented person, so I truly appreciate that comment, Vidhya!

Vidhya on September 29, 2011:

Lovely ideas with a lot of attention to detail. Keep it up!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on September 29, 2011:

Mike - thank you for your great comment. I certainly would love to include pictures from readers and I have and do urge anyone to contact me to forward pictures for inclusion into my hub! Actually, perhaps I'll do a little editing and add a section even if it stays blank for now...

Mike on September 29, 2011:

Hi Lily - great site and lots of Ideas, with lots of comments from people with lots of pictures.. It would be nice to hear and see what they have done too. Could you add a section of pictures from readers.. would be fun to see how they have worked on their wall :}

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on July 26, 2011:

That sounds fantastic Kimmy! The inspiration photo you mention is actually my own family photo wall and I love it. Sounds like you're off to a great start with all your photos. I'm very happy to hear that I helped you get started! I'd love to see photos of what you did...

Kimmy on July 24, 2011:

Extremely happy to have finally displayed some family photo's on the landing in our house. I went for a similar look as your first photo wall, in a diamond shape and incorporating brown and slightly goldish frames. I now have my greatgrandmother, grandmother, mother and daughter all as 'young women' along with a few other precious photos. So thank you for helping me get started on this addiction .... going to do a more modern black and white display somewhere else in the house :)

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on July 24, 2011:

Hi Jennie - First of all I would say to make copies of your photos, don't use originals (unless you have them digitally stored and can reproduce at any time) - not because they'll get ruined for sure, but it's best to be safe.

To protect your photos from wear you can do a couple of things. You can mat them (make your own simple mat - thin or thick - out of cardstock or construction paper and tape the photo to the back side) and then clip the mat rather than the photo itself. Or if you're going to clip the photo itself you can line the inside edge of the clip with a small piece of felt or any other soft material to protect the photo. Definitely hang the photos in a location where the sun does not directly hit them or they will fade quickly with no protection from a frame.

I love this wire hanging system from Photojojo (a favorite site of mine): http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/magnetic-ph...

Check out this cool idea also at Photojojo: http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/fotoclips/

Peruse their whole store - they have some great stuff!

I hope this helps answer your question. Good luck!

Jennie on July 21, 2011:

In this:

"Pictures or art don't always have to be framed. An unconventional display could be to hang unframed prints or pictures from a length of wire with clips."

I want to try hanging pictures from the wire with clips, but I am worried about them wearing.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on July 20, 2011:

Jennie,

Thank you for your question ... I would love to help you but unfortunately I must ask you for clarification. I'm not sure I understand what you're asking. Are you hanging picture FRAMES from a wire? Is it a trapeze-type display or do you mean the frame has a wire across the back for hanging? Type of finish on the frame? Are you painting the frames or are you asking about the finish of something else? I'm sorry to ask so many questions; I'm trying to understand what you are asking me because I'm a bit confused, sorry...

Jennie on July 20, 2011:

If I were to hang photos from a wire, what sort of finish would I do on them in order for them not to wear or tatter?

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on July 13, 2011:

Hi Donna - Well, I'm having a difficult time picturing what you are explaining about accenting an arrangement with this...In general, a picture over a doorway is not the best placement because it's too difficult to see. There are exceptions to hanging pictures not at eye level, but I'm not sure above a doorway is one of them.

In my opinion, the only thing that you can get away with is a painting/print over a doorway because that type of artwork doesn't have the details that one needs to see like in a photograph. Also, artwork should only be hung over a doorway when you have tall ceilings and there's plenty of space above the doorway (at least a couple of feet or more). I hope this helps!

Donna on July 12, 2011:

Thanks for your website. What are your views about putting a large framed photo over the doorway to accent arrangement on the connecting wall?

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on July 10, 2011:

Thank you for the kind words. There really are so many ways you could go about creating a wedding memory wall or display - you really could use any of the examples above.

That being said, since it is your daughter's wedding and not your own, my personal opinion would be to avoid overkill and select only your favorite few - perhaps 6 or 7 at most.

You could also utilize a collage frame and be able to use a lot more photos without it being overkill. Another option would be to use a multi-frame trapeze hanging system like this one: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FHHAUQ/ref=as...

I hope this helps. Best wishes to you and your daughter!!

Carolyn moore on July 10, 2011:

I love your site & have gained many ideas from it. I am still in a quandary as to how to best display my daughter's wedding photos. Want to try to use the wall alongside the stairs or possibly around a door & one vertical wall. Would appreciate any advice. Thankyou

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on June 27, 2011:

Jeri - thanks for your comment and question. In re-reading the section that you're referring to I now realize that it's not very clear, is it? Sorry about that. What was meant by that really is kind of open to interpretation - start with three, or even two, as your foundation. That foundation can be either horizontal or vertical. Add as many as you like to the sides or top/bottom to create an overall square or rectangular shape. Traditionally, the center of the arrangement should be at "eye level", however, what is "okay" is really up to you. I've seen rooms where framed photos are hung all over, floor to ceiling, and it looks great - do what feels and looks right to you I say because you live there and if at the end of the day it makes you smile then you've done a great job! I'm going to post a couple more pictures up above in the section you're referring to that may help you get the idea. I hope this helps!

Jeri on June 26, 2011:

Great ideas! On your graphic retangular picture you say to put 3 identical size frames in the center, I can't see that on that display. Can you explain what exactly you mean? On one row, or on center of both rows, etc... And, if I do a square on another wall how high or low is ok? I need to make the middle about 5ft. off ground?

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on May 10, 2011:

@ twigs - LOL! Depends on where you live and how much you're willing to pay! ;-)

twigs on May 09, 2011:

Great.. Can you help me do it in our wall.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on April 23, 2011:

Thanks for your question, Cindy ~ the white frames in that display are 8" x 10". I've received a lot of comments and questions about that specific display - it's a great one and an easy and inexpensive way to create a truly dramatic display.

Cindy on April 22, 2011:

What frame size is displayed in your photo for the the dramatic display the 24 white frames?

angelaglancy from Seattle on March 29, 2011:

I love taking pictures too. I'll use your tips when I decide to display them.

Thanks for the excellent hub.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on February 19, 2011:

Oh, yes - there's a science to it! :-) Thanks for your comment, CASE1WORKER.

CASE1WORKER from UNITED KINGDOM on February 19, 2011:

I had not realised that the photograph frame and the area where it was hung was so important and could be so visually pleasing.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 29, 2011:

Absolutely! As long as you have the wall space for it, I think it would be a wonderful place to show off your family photos and everyone who enters your home will be sure to see them!

ann marie on January 29, 2011:

hi I have an open staircase it is the first thing you see when you walk into my home. Do think this is a good place to hang family photos

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 23, 2011:

I'm always happy when someone finds my hubs useful - thanks for your comment! I LOVE stairway galleries - goo luck and have fun with it!

Leah Lefler from Western New York on January 22, 2011:

This is great! We have very bare walls, and I don't have a natural eye for design. The schematics you posted will be very helpful: we want to hang photos on the wall by our staircase, and this will help me form a good design!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 18, 2011:

Sunforged - thanks for visiting, and thanks for the kind words! I, too, love photos along the staircase walls - unfortunately my staircase is pretty open on both sides so I can't do it otherwise I would definitely do it like the picture above - I love how the arrangement even wraps around the corner. I bet you're ammassing a decent amount of pictures of your new daughter! Thanks also for the great comment about the laser level - so true! - I will perhaps give the hub a tweak to showcase it more as you suggested.

@ Karen - glad to hear that; hope you have fun with the project!

Karen Motenko-Neal on January 17, 2011:

Thank you, Lily, for your time and kind response. My ML did respond well to the all white.

daniel@caltel.com

sunforged from Sunforged.com on January 17, 2011:

Wow, your wall looks great! great arrangement, I really like the clever suggestion of using outlines to compose your arrangement, Im almost ashamed to never have thought of that!

I think my favorite location is up the staircase, for some reason those collections of photos when well done, are very memorable for me, maybe since there is often anything else to distract the eye?

I think the laser hanger should be showcased more, those are invaluable! they are super cheap and easy to use - just one use, if it saves you from making one incorrect nail hole ..and it already pays for itself.Hanging lots of frames can be frustrating even with traditional levels since older walls are often uneven. I should know I interned in a gallery. Readers, Get a laser level/laser marker!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 17, 2011:

In the first set of photos (above), I love the third picture with the family photos all over the wall, but that would probably be thought of as overwhelming! Take a look at the fifth photograph in that first set of photos - a very simple collage with everything framed in white frames with white mats. It not only gives a peaceful feeling but it's easy on the eyes and not at all overwhelming. I think mixing nature pics in with family pics would work beautifully. Now, on the other hand, using all different frames can give an arrangement the look and feel of it having been "collected" over time and that can be calming, too. I hope that helps - good luck with helping your MIL with her photo displays and thanks for your comment!

Karen Motenko-Neal on January 17, 2011:

Your page is set up beautifully and is helpful. Thank you.

Any more suggestions for helping to frame/display family photos without overwhelming, for my mother-in-law's apartment? She likes a quiet feel but loves her family and the photos. She also wants to hang nature photos that my husband shoots.

Thank you for your time.

daniel@caltel.com

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 17, 2011:

Jeff - normally I would delete "spam" comments, but I checked out your site and I really like your concept a lot. It's different and has a nice contemporary feel, albeit a little on the pricey side....but hey, for those who can afford it, it's definitely an option in the running - thanks for visiting, Jeff.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 07, 2011:

Absolutely - whatever makes you happy is what's best. Of course, we're all concerned with what's "right", too, so what I would recommend is to stick with either all color or all black & white for the photos and use frames that are all in the same color family (all black, or even different shades of brown/wood tone, or whatever color goes best with your décor.) Go ahead and throw a framed quote in the mix, but keep it minimal so as not to throw off the overall photo display. Hope this helps!

Ann on January 06, 2011:

Is is okay to display in a group a wide variety of pictures such as school photos, Christmas photos, family photos as well as a favorite quote?

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 05, 2011:

Pammac - I think you could definitely do what you desire using some of the large arrangements shown above. Check out the first set of pictures at the top of the hub and look at the first, second, third and sixth pictures. Also look at the third picture down titled "graphic rectangular photo wall display" - you can combine the school photos with other family photos easily, just make a point to hang the school pictures chronologically from left to right. They don't have to be in a straight line...hope that helps!

Pammac on January 05, 2011:

Good information, Thanks! This is my challenge... I would like to hang my children's 8X10 class pictures up in my 12 foot hallway along with other sized pictures of the family, ect.. I would like the class photos in chronological order but still want it to be interesting and also add the other pics in to the mix. I have wanted to do this for 2 years now and don't know where to start. I look forward to hearing your ideas. Thanks!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on January 04, 2011:

Thanks, Karen, I always love to hear that I've helped someone and you're right, family photos are a terrific way to warm up your home - as long as you do it right! I'll be happy to answer any questions you may have...good luck!

Karen on January 03, 2011:

I was thrilled to see your hub...thanks for taking the time to show so many options. I want to warm up our home using family photos and your ideas will work very nicely. If I have questions I'll be back!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on November 09, 2010:

@ lovingchimera - sorry I don't have it larger, but if it's the frame sizes you're looking for, I can list them here...starting at the top right and going down the rows left to right:

two 11x14's . four 8x10's . two 5x7's

two 20x20's . three 10x10's

two 10x10's . two 5x7's . one 11x20

two 10x20's . one 16x20 . seven 10x10's

one 20x20 . one 11x14 . two 10x10's

one 16x20 . one 11x14

four square pictures any size

three square pictures any size

two 10x10's . three 5x7's . one 8x10

one 16x20 . two 11x14's

one 16x20 . two 11x14's . four 5x7's

three 10x20's . three 8x10's

two 10x20's . two 11x14's . two 5x7's . one 5x10

two 11x14's . two 10x10's

one 10x20 . one 8x10 . one 11x14 . one 5x7 . one 11x20

eight square pictures any size

four square pictures any size

seven 10x10's . four 10x20's

lovingchimera on November 08, 2010:

do u have a bigger image of the 2nd blue image of photo frame arrangements? I clicked on it but it's not that clear. please reply at lovingchimera@yahoo.com

Danielle on November 08, 2010:

Excellent, thank you both!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on November 07, 2010:

Hi Danielle - I would suggest an arrangement in which the frames are hung either together (edges touching) or very close together in a tight display. If you have a narrow space, depending on the room, it could look very cool to hang your frames almost floor to ceiling. Another option is to hang several picture shelves from top to bottom on your wall and place the frames on the shelves - it may give you more options to rearrange/add/remove/change your overall display. I hope this helps!

Danielle on November 07, 2010:

Great ideas, I have alot of 8x10 photos and little wall room any suggestions? I don't have a stairwell.

scarletquill99 from Australia on November 04, 2010:

So many good tips there...thanks.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on October 14, 2010:

Thanks for your comment, Kara. I'll email you...

Kara C. on October 14, 2010:

I really appreciate the large wall arrangement of animals (picture 1). I have such challenges with the spacing and design. Would you happen to have frame sizes, mat sizes (and opening sizes) and spacing between the frames for the "nice photo wall arrangement for a large wall when you have a lot of frames to hang" picture?

I noticed you shared the sizes with someone above several months ago. My email is karacassani@yahoo.com.

Thanks so much.

rugsdynamic on October 06, 2010:

I love decorating my room with photos. Aside from giving the room some sense of art and "completeness", they also show good happy memories.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on August 30, 2010:

You're so welcome! I always love to hear from people who have found my hub useful - best of luck with your project!

cjcarter on August 30, 2010:

Lovely! I am in the process of trying to hang up a bunch of art and photos, and I remembered seeing this article the other day. Thanks for the help!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on August 18, 2010:

Another great idea - thanks, Jay!

Jay on August 18, 2010:

Hiya..i love taking photos and have too many to choose from to hang..also i have just had a baby and have been taking loads of pics...i decided to start a photo wall a couple of weeks ago and instead of doing photos in frames i am making it with small canvas's...it looks lovely and have loads of room to add to it as my baby grows!!!

spincollective on July 23, 2010:

Great hub. Some really useful tips in there. Gonna have a go at moving my mess of pictures around! :)

Research Analyst on July 03, 2010:

Looks good, great instructions on wall décor photo displays. Thanks.

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on June 16, 2010:

Thanks for stopping by, Waynet. Took your advice and moved first couple of pictures down. I'm not using Ebay. If I move Amazon next to text capsules, then I couldn't put the relevant pictures there...

Wayne Tully from Hull City United Kingdom on June 16, 2010:

Hi there, just visited from the forum, asking for a bit of help, what I can see is, that the photos right at the top ideally should be under your first text module, so that the adsense ads feature prominently at the top and then on each subsequent text module, you might do best adding an amazon widget at the side of each text module.

You can see why you get a good amount of traffic to this page, it's well written and with some good photos.

Are you using Ebay?

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on June 14, 2010:

Hi Rachel. Actually, that dramatic display is a collection of 24 individual simple white frames hung closely together. That would be cool if you could find a ready made collage frame that large! Instead of trying to get them hung so close together, consider somehow attaching them together with nails or screws before hanging them. Good luck and thanks for visiting!

Rachael on June 14, 2010:

Where did you get the picture of the frame next to the title "Create a Dramatic Display" - I would LOVE to have that frame in my house!!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on June 03, 2010:

CyFree - I'm glad I could help! I think a large collection of different styled frames, as long as they're hung in some sort of cohesive manner, can make a wonderful eclectic wall display, so go for it! Just lay it all out on the floor first and that'll really give you the best way to see what it would look like on the wall and allows you to edit and rearrange before making any commitments with nails!

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on May 03, 2010:

Thanks, Sue! It's definitely a good idea not to have to take large chunks out of your walls when hanging pictures - LOL!

Collage Picture on May 03, 2010:

Great and detailed hub of the many ways to get your photographs up and out there on display. Must agree with your method of arranging and moving around your frames on the floor first is a great tip, much better than taking large chunks out of your wall from moving around picture hooks!

Cheers,

Sue

Lily Rose (author) from A Coast on March 02, 2010:

Sure, Stephanie - I'll email you direct...

stephanie on March 02, 2010:

would you be able to share the frame sizes in the photo 1? i have all my pics just need to decide on a frame sizing. thanks so much

stephanie.rudderham@gmail.com

relica from California on December 08, 2009:

This is one of my favorite ways to create a focal point in a room. By displaying the photos in a grouping not only do you get to display all of your favorite photos, but your create a dramatic impact as well.

Catherine R from Melbourne, Australia on September 12, 2009:

Nice tips for displaying photos - of which I have very many. Thanks.

Pinterest Picture Frame Wall Decor

Source: https://dengarden.com/interior-design/wall-decor-photo-display

Sleath Fackeffaced