Family Picture Display Ideas

I get asked often how I recommend displaying family photos in a home and is it tacky? As a friendly reminder, you do you with your home. After all it is YOUR home and not my home. However, if it were my home, personal photos do not get free range. I strategically place them in certain areas that enhance how I feel in that specific room. Let's get into my strategy on when and where to place personal photos and other family picture display ideas. 

How To Create A Gallery Wall With Family Photos

I love a good gallery wall wether that be comprised of family photos, art, or a combination of both. When it comes to displaying family photography, I like using black and white photos. If we are using vintage headshot photos is a sepia tone, I do not mix and match. See above photo where we did a mini gallery wall of vintage heirloom headshots tucked into an alcove of an upstairs hallway.

Where is the best place to put a gallery wall?

 I personally subscribe to this “rule:” family photos on a wall belong in more private spaces rather than common spaces. So think bedrooms, upstairs hallways, bathrooms. I do not prefer to put them in family rooms, kitchens, guest spaces, and other common areas. When my clients request I carve spaces out for family photo gallery walls I will usually put them in upstairs hallways or other vestibules that lead to more personal spaces.

What size frames for gallery walls?

I typically gravitate towards varying sizes for gallery walls to create a more organic look.There is no right or wrong size when choosing varying sized frames for a gallery wall. You do need to have at least 2 or 3 larger frames (16” x 20” and up) to ground the gallery wall and fill in with medium sized (8” x 10”, 11” x 14”) as well as a few smaller sized frames (4” x 4”).

 If a space calls for a symmetrical gallery shape with same sized frames I typically choose at least 11 x14, but typically 16” x 20”. 

What materials should you use for gallery wall frames?

For gallery wall frame materials, I like to use vintage wood frames or wood frames from a framing store. For metals I use brass and silver, often mixing the two. In a kids space a natural unstained birch or maple wood frame works well. For spaces that you want more contrast and a more formal feel, black or an almost black oil rubbed bronze is appropriate. I would not mix black with brass or silver. 

Family Picture Display Ideas For Tabletops

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Tabletop frames with personal family photos can be placed in a variety of places. I like to use small silver or brass tabletop frames and place them on bathroom vanities, tucked into bookcases, on side tables or storage pieces in any room. I even like to style tabletop frames in kitchens in an infrequently used space.

What size frames for table top photo display?

My favorite sizes for table top frames are square; 4” x 4” and 3” x 3” and oval; 2” x 3” and 2.25” x 4.5”.

What material should you use for tabletop frames?

Using tabletop frames is a great way to incorporate vintage items. I love hunting for vintage brass and sterling silver frames at thrift stores. Usually vintage frames come in odd sizing but be on the look out for smaller frames. If purchasing new, look for brass and silver frames. If you want to invest in an heirloom piece, consider purchasing sterling silver frames. It is ok to mix different metal frames throughout the home. I would stick to mixing silver and brass, not black.