Posted on Wednesday 28th July 2021 | How To
How to display photos without creating a gallery wall
Have you ever created a gallery wall in your home? If the answer is yes then you probably remember the length of time it took to get it right – from choosing the right pictures and
a4 photo frames to finalising the layout on your wall.
Once your gallery wall has been up for a while, you might be a little bored of it but don’t want to go to the headache of updating it – meaning it probably looks exactly the same as the day you completed it.
What if there was an easier way of keeping your treasured photos and artworks on display and updating them? Well, there is. Read on to discover some other display options you can use to showcase photos and throughout your homes.
Layer them
With a gallery wall it tends to be all about perfecting the spacing between your
a4 picture frames – so why not do the opposite and go for a more organic, and easy-to-move option?
Use a picture shelf to create a more eclectic space by layering your frames – this also makes it easier to add new photos and frames to your collection as well. To keep the look curated and designed, mix up the size and style of your picture frames, but keep them all in a similar colour theme – perhaps keeping one colour that runs throughout.
Use an easel
Don’t limit an easel to something that an artist uses – they make a great option for displaying photos with little set-up needed – and no nails or levels required. It can also give your room an eclectic and artistic vibe - as well as a touch of the unexpected.
There are lots of different sizes and styles of easel available from small tabletop sizes to full-size floor ones. When you are looking for one for your space, think about how what it is made from and how it is finished will work with the rest of your home’s design. Also consider the size of the frame you are going to use, and how it will fit in with the size of the easel you want to buy.
Use a line
This idea has been popular for many years now, especially with crafty people as it is so easy to set-up and update whenever you want. It’s also really affordable too. All you need is some string or clothesline, some cute clothes pegs and your photos. Using this idea means you can swap your photos as often as you like.
It is also a great way to display your kid’s artwork, meaning you can clear the clutter off your fridge door and display it with pride in your kid’s room or play room. Plus, if you hang it at their height, then they can change things around by themselves.
You can also change things up by using a different material for your line, rather than string or plastic. You could use a string of beads or fabric, for example, and a clip that goes with the design of your room or the line you use. You can have fun with your photos as well, using Polaroids or interspersing them with postcards for a more eclectic feel.
Pep up your workspace
Clipboards are not just for the office anymore you can use them in your home or workspace to display your favourite photos. An entire row of clipboard art can be really striking.
When you are shopping for clipboards look for ones that will help to accentuate the size of your photos. You could also paint the clipboards to match your room design, and help your pictures to pop.
Hang the clipboards on your wall, using a hammer, nails, a tape measure and a level. Make sure you measure out the space between them evenly and then hammer in the nails. If you want a less permanent option, you could use adhesive hooks or removable poster tape.
Once you have attached the clipboards to your wall, changing the pictures out will be so easy and quick.
Ladders are not just for climbing
Ladder shelves can be a great way to decorate your home, and they are also a great way to display photos.
Even if the objects you display on them don’t have a theme amongst themselves, you can still create a balanced presentation by thinking carefully about how you display them – especially when it comes to size and height of items.
Complement shorter and lighter items by pairing them with taller, heavier items – and vice versa, making sure you vary their placement throughout the shelves.
You could also choose a ladder with wide rungs, and lean it against your wall – which will work really well if your decorating scheme is already leaning towards a more rustic farmhouse design. Just make sure the ladder you choose has rungs that are wide enough to display photos on.
If you choose to hang your ladder for security, then make sure it is hung safely. If you want to just lean it instead, then make sure the end of the side rails is wide enough to keep it steady on the floor.
Use a grid
Wire grids are a similar idea to the clothesline idea we talk about above, you just have to install one item and then you can easily add, move or remove pictures whenever you like.
A wire grid is also a great option if you have a narrow or small space – as it allows you to display your photos vertically.
When you are choosing your wire grid keep the size of your wall in mind. And remember that the grid will look busier and bigger once it has pictures on it.
Also, be creative with what you use to clip your photos to the frame. If you are placing it in a home office, for example, you can use binder clips to hang your photos. In a kid’s bedroom you can use brightly painted clothes pegs. If you are hanging photos in the kitchen, then try using bag clips. Just have some fun with it!
Stand them up
If you want to display your photos on a flat surface, then try using magnetic stands, wire photo holders or even household items to display them.
You could use a metal stand, for example, and decorate it with fun magnets as simply or elaborately as you want. You could pick a large size stand if you want to display a wide range of photos, or a smaller one to display just one.
Personal touches can help to make a house feel like a home and by adding some personality to your photo display and
a3 photo frame you can share photos of your loved ones and reveal a little about yourself as well.
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