I really care about my home being a peaceful haven, with neutral, calming colours, less clutter, and an intentionally designed feeling- but I never want my home to feel cold or uninviting!
I want to make sure it feels homey, warm and cozy!
Hanging your family photos gives your home that warm, homey feeling and when you love your family photos, they’ll bring joy to you every day as you look at the emotions captured hung up on your walls.
Hanging your photos is one of the most important steps of your photo session as it gives your photos a home (beyond the internet) and allows them to be seen daily by you and your family, as well as everyone you love!
Here are trendy yet timeless ways (along with photos of beautifully designed homes to inspire you!) that you can hang your family photos in your home.
The possibilities are endless which is exciting, but don’t get overwhelmed and let it stop you from just picking one!
Don’t overthink it, it’s the people and emotions in the photos that will have you loving your wall hangings.
Here’s some inspiration for you, but I don’t want you to leave with just feeling inspired- I’ll help you create a plan to take action once you’ve finished reading through this post!
A Grid Gallery Wall
Grid gallery walls are the perfect mix of fun and trendy with sophisticated and timeless.
They’re customizable so they can fit any space. Filling a wall top to bottom is my personal favourite, or using 6 or 9 large prints on a large wall .
They look amazing in so many spaces such as empty walls you can fill top to bottom, big open walls in stairways or porches, above couches, beds, cribs, or desks.
This may be my very favourite type of photo arrangement! It’s so clean with the parallel lines yet so fun and trendy!
Tips:
- Don’t be afraid to get low to the ground or to fill up an entire space.
- Use your measuring tape– while planning and while hanging your frames!
- 2-3 inches between each frame is the recommended amount.
- Frames always look smaller on walls than we imagine they will, so if debating between two sizes- go with the larger size. If your grouping is too small, it makes the space look barren and incomplete.
On a Picture Ledge or Shelves
The perfect mix of laid back style with intentional and cohesive design- the best thing about picture ledges and shelves is you can switch them up at any time!
It’s the perfect option for someone who can’t make up their mind, or loves to switch things up! You can switch up your arrangement of frames and decor whenever since none of them are nailed into the wall.
I’m obsessed with the look and feel picture ledges give your home!
Tips:
- You can add accents like small plants, vases, books, or baskets to add even more personality to your shelf or ledge.
- You can mix and match photos and prints for a different look, there are tons of downloadable print options on shops like Etsy.
- These look great above beds, couches, or to complete just about any wall.
- You can stagger your shelves for a more eclectic and laid-back vibe, keep them parallel to each other for a more polished and smooth look, or have one shelf stand alone!
A Gallery Wall
A gallery wall can give off an eclectic and collected vibe, while still feeling very intentional and curated.
They allow for customization and can fit any space because you have unlimited size and arrangement options.
They’re also really fun and easy to put together!
Tips:
- The number one mistake people make when hanging photos is hanging them too high! The middle of the collection should be at about eye level.
- Feel free to mix in a variety of artwork to make a very personal statement in your home. From children’s artwork and heirloom paintings, to souvenirs from your travels. Gallery walls can be very meaningful!
- Choose the style of a gallery wall you feel fits your home and your family. Do you prefer a more eclectic and relaxed style that has a very collected feel to it? Or do you prefer a more clean, crisp, formal arrangement where you may have all the same frames in various sizes?
- Lay your frames out on the floor, and rearrange until you get the layout you’re looking for that feels balanced and cohesive. Or, if you find that overwhelming, just directly copy your favourite gallery wall on Pinterest!
- Have the same spacing between frames (2-3 inches is the recommended amount of space) to give it a cohesive feel. Leaving enough space between frames ensures that your gallery wall doesn’t look cluttered or cramped.
- If you are worried about creating holes and not liking the finished product, trace your frames on a big role of paper, cut them out, and tape them on the wall with painters tape to see how the arrangement will feel up on the wall.
- This is a great formula to find the width the pieces should ideally fill (you can just keep this in mind as an approximate guideline!).
(wall width) x 0.57 = (ideal width of grouping) Keep in mind you’ll have 2-3 inches between each frame.
Large Prints or Canvases
Family photos make great stand alone statement pieces and look amazing above a fireplace mantle, a couch or wherever you think it would fit best in your home.
You can also use large prints or canvases in groups of two or four for a symmetrical look, or groupings of three which is a very appealing number in design.
Tips:
- If a room is a little cluttered or busy, large pieces are a great way to not overwhelm the room and give it a calm and uncluttered feel.
- Bigger is better! Lean on the side of the print being too big for the space than too small. When prints are too small, they give the space a barren and incomplete feel.
- Large prints of each child can be really special.
- Have the middle of your print be at eye level (about 57 inches from the ground). Don’t make the mistake of hanging your prints too high!
- This is a great formula to find the width the pieces should ideally fill (you can just keep this in mind as an approximate guideline!).
(wall width) x 0.57 = (ideal width of grouping) Keep in mind you’ll have 2-3 inches between each frame.
Bottom: The Everygirl, House Seven Design
In a Linear Display
Above beds, cribs, couches, along hallways, or along stairs, linear arrangements give the space a structured and clean look while also giving a feeling of continuity.
Tips:
- If you are hanging prints of different heights, make sure the middles line up.
- You can space photos to fill the entire space or fit the length of your bed, couch, etc. (you want to be sure they aren’t too far apart or they will look like they are floating rather than arranged), or with the typical 2-3 inch spaces.
In Photo Books on Coffee Tables
Coffee table books are so nice to flip through, and I think the best kind are ones documenting your family’s story and the love you all share!
They’re perfect for you to look through when you want to reminisce or focus on gratitude, for your kids to look through and see the magic of their childhood and the love they’re surrounded by, and for your guests to look through as well!
Okay! Now don’t let the options overwhelm you. Just pick the arrangement you’re immediately drawn to, that fits well in your space.
If you’re someone who can tend to procrastinate hanging things up (like me!)- invite a friend over for wine and some photo hanging! I guarantee you’ll be able to return the favour in their home as well.
You’ll love walking by photos of your family’s love every day!
If you are already subscribed to my email list, please email me at aliciamaryphotography@gmail.com and I will send you a direct copy of the free guide!
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