Photo credit to tbisaacs.
Photo displays can be a great way of adding visual interest and appeal to the family room. Because it is a very personal method of decorating, it lends itself perfectly to a room that you enjoy together as a family. Fortunately, because there are so many varied styles of photo frames and ways to display photos, it can be easy to create an eye-catching display.
Choosing a Theme for Your Photo Display
Choosing an overall theme for your photos is one of the easiest methods you can use to create a coordinated photo display. This theme could be almost anything, such as a special family vacation or event. Choosing a particular time period is also a great way of choosing photos that will create a coordinated display, such as a shelf that displays the baby pictures of your ancestors or even your own children.
If you have a nice collection of vintage family photographs, this can also be a good theme for your photo display. If you are using treasured or antique photos, take care to find frames that will properly protect your heirloom photos. You could also choose to scan and print your favorite antique photos, and display the prints while you keep the originals safe in an album. Scanning and printing your photos will also give you the opportunity to take some artistic license with your photos, such as converting black and white photos to an attractive sepia color tone effect. Or, if you have a collection of black and white photos and just one color photo, you can convert the color photo to gray scale so that it blends in with the other photos, making for a more attractive display.
Selecting Frames for Your Photos
Frames can be very useful when you are trying to create a coordinated photo display. Even if your photos are quite varied, selecting a set of similar frames will help visually tie them together into one coordinated display. Or, choose frames in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, but keep to a common theme, such as all black or all white frames. If your family room has a fireplace, it is also a great way to decorate the mantel to give it a very personalized look. Picture frames can also be selected that will help enhance the overall mood of the room. For example, if your family room has a country theme, select casual frames that enhance this decorating style. If your family room is decorated in a formal fashion, choose frames that have a more sophisticated look. You can also enhance the theme of your photo collection with the frames you choose, such as using vintage frames for your vintage photos.
How to Create an Interesting Display
Experiment with different arrangements when creating your display so that you get the best effect. If you are arranging a collection of photos on a wall, you can make the job of creating an interesting display easier by first tracing your framed photos onto paper. Then, cut out these shapes and arrange them on the wall with small pieces of tape until you find an appealing arrangement. For shelf or table top displays, arrange photos so that larger or taller photos and frames are in the back, and smaller ones are in the front. A variety of sizes can add interest, but you want to make sure that all photos are visible.
Coordinating your photo frames with other wall art, such as metal tree art or a large wall cross, can also make an attractive display.
