13 UNIQUE WAYS TO DISPLAY YOUR PORTRAITS
There is such a variety of ways we can display our portraits in our homes. It is so important to not have them hidden somewhere on a flash drive, but to have them displayed for you to enjoy daily.
If you’re like me... your home is your sanctuary. The place you go to escape the world outside. The place where you spend time with those you love most. The place where you can unwind and just be yourself... YOUR space. It is important to surround yourself with beauty and with things that matter and not clutter.
There are so many benefits to displaying your family portraits on your walls and around your home. Here are a few:
1. Family photos make a statement of what is important to you.
2. They boost your children’s confidence and self value.
3. They tell a story of a place in time.
4. Family photos comfort you.
5. They give a sense of family togetherness.
6. Family portraits become a heirloom that can be passed down.
No matter if you have a small space or large wall, let me help you with some ideas to put together the perfect display in your home to enjoy every day.
1- THE GALLERY WALL
This is probably my favorite way to display photos. Curate the perfect collection of photos and things that inspire you and hang them together for a unique and personal collection. Here are some great options when thinking of putting together your gallery wall:
- Choose an eclectic mix of frames for a fun variety or go with the same frame for a clean look.
- Mix it up with color and b&w for more depth, or just go with all of the same finish for a cohesive feel.
- Put together traditional poses with lifestyle looks, professional images with your own for a more authentic look into your world.
- Mix in quotes, findings and children’s drawings for a more personal touch.
- Create a themed display around a specific color, event or timeline.
- Have fun with your gallery as this is something unique to your family story.
2- SHELF LIFE
Creating a more 3D gallery on your wall with shelves gives you more options to display more items that are important to you. These are a fun way to step out of the ordinary.
Use the same options as the gallery wall but with the option to incorporate more items such as special heirlooms, things from travels, books and other decorative items that cannot be hung. Frames can be leaned against the wall and stacked for a modern look.
3- FLEXIBLE PHOTO DISPLAYS
Utilizing shelves, ledges, pianos and side tables, these are perfect smaller spaces to display your favorite framed photos. These frames can be moved and changed out often as your family changes and you create new memories. Highlighting a recent event or upcoming holiday is easy peasy. You can incorporate decor pieces around your frames to a completed look.
4- GO BIG OR GO HOME
Maximize the impact of one large photo instead of several small ones. There is nothing that says “wow” as much as a huge, bigger than life photo! Choosing just the right image for this space is crucial to its success as it needs to fit the space without over powering it. Choose a bold color that compliments your decor, or go neutral and b&w for a modern artful look.
5- NO ROOM IS OUT OF BOUNDS
That’s what I said! Every space in your home is an opportunity to showcase art... and your portraits ARE art. So think of entryways, hallways, staircases, bedrooms and yes... even the bathroom! (when displaying a portrait in the bathroom, make sure to choose a finish that can withstand moisture such as acrylic or metal prints).
6- SIZE DOESN’T MATTER
When it comes to displaying your family portraits, don’t forget those small spaces. You can get creative with smaller frames or vertical orientations to fit those spaces and make them not feel left out.
7- FAMILY HISTORY GALLERIES
I feel like everyone has that box of old photos handed down from generations. One of my favorite displays I ever did was when I went through all of those old photos and chose some of my grandparents, my parents and my children’s dads family generations, then I had them printed larger and framed. I mixed in photos of my kids, myself as a child and a few recent of us. It was such a wonderful look into the past and reminded us every day of where we came from.
8- DIY & UP-CYCLED FRAMES
If you are thrifty and creative, repurposing and old frame into something new will not only give you the satisfaction of being a super human, but you will know you have something one of a kind to display.
We can always feel good when we can do something good for the planet and re-using something old gives it another life and story. Finding frames and decorating elements in thrift shops and craft stores is your first stop. Have fun with it and if you have kids, get them involved too!
9- SHADOW BOXES AND MEMORY BOXES
This is a wonderful way to highlight a special person or event. Incorporating meaningful momentos and souvenirs then layering them around the photos, you can create an artful collection to display that tells a story. Display the boxes on a shelf or wall.
10- THINK OUTSIDE THE FRAME
Get creative with unconventional ways to display photos.
- Using cork boards with pins or ribbons allows you to create a fun display of photos, findings and momentos.
- Use some string or a wire across a space and use small clothespins or decorative binder clips to hang loose photos. You can layer rows of these along a wall or inside an empty frame for a fun display.
- Clip photos onto a clipboard and hang several together on a wall for something unique.
- Display some of your favorite photos on your fridge.
- Have fun finding unique ways to display your photos for a great conversation starter.
11- ALBUMS AND BOXES
When you don’t have much wall space left, displaying images in albums and folio boxes are a great way to keep all of your favorites in one place to visit often.
Make collections of albums for different milestones, vacations, or timelines in your families life. These can be displayed, guarded with your life or handed down generations if you can give them up.
Albums and boxes are one of the biggest sellers in my studio for the variety and ease of viewing you get.
12- COLLAGES
When wall space is at a minimum, but you want to showcase more images... a collage might just be your solution. Several images are printed in one large print and framed for a still classic look. Perfect solution to optimizing a smaller space.
13- THE DIGITAL APPROACH
When all you have are the digital files, you can still create a display in a digital frame. Collect all of your favorite images, upload and enjoy a constant slideshow.
Modern televisions often allow you to upload images for a slideshow or screen display. Upload your favorites as screensavers on your computers and cellphone wallpaper.
As you can see, there are so many ways to display your photos in your homes and offices. Find what works for your space.
It’s proven that we are happier when we see images of our families, friends and loved ones (present and past) daily.
Don’t just settle for that flash drive. There is no joy in that as it sits in a drawer or photos held up in some folder on your computer.
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