Do you have a wall where you could do a picture rail? It also can be nice to switch them out easily if you have a lot to display, e.g. seasons, special occasions

I agree the digital frames are awesome for family pictures and pictures of your holidays .

I display the current ones in my upstairs hallway , landing & a few in my bedroom. I don't inflict my family photos on my guests unless they specifically ask to see to see them. I'm probably in the minority on this issue however.

To Valerie T - I could do a picture rail, but that still requires me to frame, yes?

A l

Put them in an album. Photographs should not be displayed in common public areas. Only private areas of the home.

Green designs, really? One of my favorite things to see in people's houses are family pictures, especially multi-generational, incl b/w from early to mid 1900s.

I like this idea, if it suits your decor.

Where did that rule come from? And why is not okay?

Large collage frames would be easier than single frames.

https://www.houzz.com/magazine/edit-your-photo-collection-and-display-it-best-a-designers-advice-stsetivw-vs~9626857

A nice article

Somehow, in the age of reality TV and Fakebook, people think nothing of having a picture window open straight to their bathrooms literally and metaphorically. There are degrees of separation and privacy between the public street where all are forced to interact, to the foyer where you receive solicitations from the public, to the living room, where some of the acquaintances are allowed entry to, to the kitchen, where friends are allowed, to the master bedroom, where only your family is allowed.

Family photographs are for family only. Not the public. They should be displayed only in the more private areas of the home, where the eye of the less personal circle of acquaintances or business relationships does not view them.

If you have your boss over for a dinner, she should never have a clue if you have 2 kids or 7. Or none. You don't have that kind of personal relationship with your boss. It is formal, and she reminds in the formal part of the house, and does not interact intimately with the more private areas. There are degrees of separation. Photos are not for formal areas.

I don't know anyone who has that formal of a relationship with their Boss, or who would invite their Boss to dinner.

Wow, I'm not sure who those rules apply to, certainly no one I know. I'm in my best friend's master bedroom all the time when we hang out. And my boss knows how many kids I have, their names and ages, what sports they play. she's seen plenty of pictures and I've never even had her over for dinner. These days I find it odd when there are no family pics in the "public areas" of a house, not when there are.

Well. It used to be folks left lacy calling cards a couple hundred years ago, lol. There is the MIDDLE ground. Blow up 24 x 36 photos of your adorable kids at two years of age? Please be gone with those if they are now in high school? Your wedding picture after you've had four kids and gained twenty pounds, or even if you've lost twenty? Put it in your master bedroom, please, and get if off the dining room wall.

As to the rest: We don't live formally. Your boss knows you have kids. Your kids may even play sports together! Display the best, and enjoy an album digitally or on your cocktail table. Like anything else, a little goes a long way. But family photos can be conversation starters, fun for close friends and yes, even your boss. They can also be painful reminders ....... so be sensitive to those who may have suffered a horrible loss, or may not be as lucky as you are. ...if you know what I mean. There is a happy middle.

I find the Christmas newsletter a lot more annoying than family photos. And unless we are VERY, very close......same thing with the Shutterfly xmas cards. Sorry in advance : ) Beat me.

Ledges are easy to change or add pics :)

I have picture ledges like that in my hallway.

You can change up your photos (for the wall, tabletop or ledge) by using clip frames (just glass) or frames without matts. See photos:

Marcia, I did this with old black and white family photos. I have small/strong magnets that I ordered online. Makes changing out the photos a breeze. It sounds like you are dealing with more photos than this, so perhaps you could hang to large frames side by side.

Kelly, what is the backing for the photos? Clearly it's metal of some sort. And where did you get it? Thanks so much!

Drdeb1234, thanks so much for the great article!

Marcia, it's just a piece of sheet metal cut to the frame size. I have seen them ready made at stores like Marshalls as well.

Marcia, a friend of mine had that piece of metal and helped me out. I think you can get pieces of sheet metal at Home Depot.

It may be an old-fashioned rule, but I have almost never seen family photos displayed where they add something positive to the feel of a place. Very artfully framed and displayed photos of (young) kids or pets, maybe.


In my personal opinion, it is just unappealing. But I think the "rule" is outdated and, obviously, nobody should feel obligated to follow it. If someone enjoys looking at their family photos, and wants them displayed where they can see them everyday, then they should do that.