How to Display Lots of Photos Without a Perfect Gallery Wall
You can skip the matching frames and careful arrangement and hang your photos using one or more of these fun ideas
Have you ever installed a gallery wall? If so, you probably remember all the time it took to create it. You had to find the right photos, the right frames and then the right layout on the wall. Plus, you may have needed to find just the right art to mix into the layout. Now that your gallery wall has been up for a while, the last thing you want to do is update the photos. It’s possible that your wall looks exactly the same as it did the day you installed it.
What if there were easier ways to keep your treasured photographs on display and updated? Well, there are. Read on to discover nine other display strategies you can use to showcase photos throughout your home. Then, share your favorite idea in the Comments.
What if there were easier ways to keep your treasured photographs on display and updated? Well, there are. Read on to discover nine other display strategies you can use to showcase photos throughout your home. Then, share your favorite idea in the Comments.
Adults aren’t the only ones who can have fun layering frames. Adding an eclectic gallery to a kid’s room can make it more sophisticated — and definitely more fun, as seen here.
The beauty of this idea is that the gallery can mature alongside the child. And you don’t need to spend a fortune executing it.
Pro tip: Audrey Kuether of Oh So Lovely says the look can even be pulled off on a budget. “I used mostly free printable art in the gallery walls and shelf art,” she says. Then she displayed them in repurposed frames among knickknacks and keepsakes.
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The beauty of this idea is that the gallery can mature alongside the child. And you don’t need to spend a fortune executing it.
Pro tip: Audrey Kuether of Oh So Lovely says the look can even be pulled off on a budget. “I used mostly free printable art in the gallery walls and shelf art,” she says. Then she displayed them in repurposed frames among knickknacks and keepsakes.
See more of this bedroom
2. Use a fine art treatment. Don’t limit an easel to an art studio or to fine pieces of art.
What really makes easels a great photo display option is that they’re easy to set up, move and update — no nails or levels required.
What really makes easels a great photo display option is that they’re easy to set up, move and update — no nails or levels required.
An easel can give your room an artistic and eclectic vibe, as well as a touch of the fresh and unexpected.
There are different sizes and styles of easels, from tabletop to full-size floor easels. When you’re looking for one, consider how its material and finish will work with the rest of your room’s design. Also consider the size of the frame you plan to use to ensure it’s proportional to the easel.
See more examples of how to use an easel at home
There are different sizes and styles of easels, from tabletop to full-size floor easels. When you’re looking for one, consider how its material and finish will work with the rest of your room’s design. Also consider the size of the frame you plan to use to ensure it’s proportional to the easel.
See more examples of how to use an easel at home
3. Drop a line. This technique has been popular with the do-it-yourself crowd for years because it’s so easy to set up and update.
It’s also one of the more affordable ideas on this list. All you need is a clothesline, some clothespins and your printed photos. Attach each end of the line to a wall and clip your keepsakes to it.
Now you can mix and match your photos as often as you like.
It’s also one of the more affordable ideas on this list. All you need is a clothesline, some clothespins and your printed photos. Attach each end of the line to a wall and clip your keepsakes to it.
Now you can mix and match your photos as often as you like.
This method is also great for displaying kids’ artwork.
You can clear the art clutter off the fridge door and move it to the playroom or the child’s room. Plus, if you put the line at their height, they can update it themselves.
See more ways of incorporating kids’ artwork in your home
You can clear the art clutter off the fridge door and move it to the playroom or the child’s room. Plus, if you put the line at their height, they can update it themselves.
See more ways of incorporating kids’ artwork in your home
Elevate your hanging photo display by choosing a different material for your line, such as a string of beads or fabric. Select a clip for the photos that goes with the room design and the material of the line. Have fun with the photos you hang. Use Polaroids for an eclectic feel or holiday cards to add a festive vibe.
4. Go digital. Although you can purchase digital picture frames, an easier way to display your favorite photos digitally is with technology you already own.
“Our memories get trapped in our technology,” says Linda Deppa, a certified professional organizer with Uncluttered Professional Organizing. Instead of letting that happen, use that technology to display your memories.
For home entertainment systems, such as Apple TV or the Amazon Fire TV Stick, choose your own photos to display as the screen saver. Just upload your photos to your device’s online platform, then go to the screen saver option in the settings menu. Choose your photos and enjoy!
“Our memories get trapped in our technology,” says Linda Deppa, a certified professional organizer with Uncluttered Professional Organizing. Instead of letting that happen, use that technology to display your memories.
For home entertainment systems, such as Apple TV or the Amazon Fire TV Stick, choose your own photos to display as the screen saver. Just upload your photos to your device’s online platform, then go to the screen saver option in the settings menu. Choose your photos and enjoy!
Another option is your computer. You probably already store your digital photos there. If not, upload and save your favorites to the computer. Then go to the screen saver settings and select the photos you want to appear on the screen when the computer is idle.
Read more about displaying your digital photos
Read more about displaying your digital photos
5. Try a more businesslike approach. Clipboards aren’t just for work anymore. You can use them in your office or any room of the house to display photos. An added bonus is that they can be more affordable than framing and matting.
“Framing can be so expensive, and it adds up if you’re a collector,” homeowner Lize Smeaton-Fox says. “An entire row of clipboard art can be really striking.”
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“Framing can be so expensive, and it adds up if you’re a collector,” homeowner Lize Smeaton-Fox says. “An entire row of clipboard art can be really striking.”
See more of this California home
When shopping for clipboards, look for ones that accentuate the size of the photographs. You can also paint the clipboards to match your room design.
To install the clipboards, round up your hammer, nails, tape measure and level. Measure out the spacing evenly, then hammer in the nails. For a less permanent option, use adhesive hooks or double-sided removable poster tape.
Once you have the clipboards up, changing out the pictures is quick and easy.
Read more about clipboard art galleries
To install the clipboards, round up your hammer, nails, tape measure and level. Measure out the spacing evenly, then hammer in the nails. For a less permanent option, use adhesive hooks or double-sided removable poster tape.
Once you have the clipboards up, changing out the pictures is quick and easy.
Read more about clipboard art galleries
6. Step up your photos. Ladder shelves are a fun way to decorate your space, and they also make a great place to display photos.
Here, an authentic boat ladder installed on the wall plays up the room’s aquatic theme. The homeowner used its rungs for photos, books and decor.
Here, an authentic boat ladder installed on the wall plays up the room’s aquatic theme. The homeowner used its rungs for photos, books and decor.
Here, a freestanding ladder adds display space without any nails. The rungs are wide enough to mix in baskets and plants.
Pro tip: “Even if your objects don’t necessarily carry a theme amongst themselves, you can still create a thoughtful, balanced presentation by concentrating on the size and height of items,” design writer Shawn Gauthier says. “Complement shorter, lighter items with taller, heavier items and vice versa, varying their placement throughout the shelves.”
Pro tip: “Even if your objects don’t necessarily carry a theme amongst themselves, you can still create a thoughtful, balanced presentation by concentrating on the size and height of items,” design writer Shawn Gauthier says. “Complement shorter, lighter items with taller, heavier items and vice versa, varying their placement throughout the shelves.”
A third option is to find a ladder with wide rungs, then lean it against the wall. Many old wooden ladders fit into farmhouse and rustic design styles, and their rungs are often wide enough to hold photos.
If you choose to hang the ladder up, secure it safely. If you go the leaning route, make sure the ends of the side rails are wide enough to keep the ladder steady on the floor.
Read more about stylish ways to use ladders
If you choose to hang the ladder up, secure it safely. If you go the leaning route, make sure the ends of the side rails are wide enough to keep the ladder steady on the floor.
Read more about stylish ways to use ladders
7. Install a grid. Wire grids offer benefits similar to the clothesline idea: You can install one piece and then easily add, move or remove photos as you like.
A grid is a great option for small or narrow spaces because it allows you to go vertical with your display.
A grid is a great option for small or narrow spaces because it allows you to go vertical with your display.
Consider the size of your wall when choosing a grid. Remember that the grid will look bigger and busier once it has pictures on it.
Also consider playing around with how you clip your photos to it. Decorating your office? Use binder clips. Dressing up a kid’s room? Try colorful clothespins. Hanging photos in the kitchen? Chip clips could work. The most important thing is to have fun with it!
Also consider playing around with how you clip your photos to it. Decorating your office? Use binder clips. Dressing up a kid’s room? Try colorful clothespins. Hanging photos in the kitchen? Chip clips could work. The most important thing is to have fun with it!
8. Sit them up. If you’re looking to display photos on a flat surface, then wire photo holders, magnetic stands and other household items, such as this brush, may be just what you need.
Print out new photographs and dig up old ones. Create these tabletop displays in any space you want to personalize. For a more eclectic look, mix in pieces of art, postcards and greeting cards. The ease of installation allows you to update the display for the season — or for no reason at all.
See more of this artist’s home
Print out new photographs and dig up old ones. Create these tabletop displays in any space you want to personalize. For a more eclectic look, mix in pieces of art, postcards and greeting cards. The ease of installation allows you to update the display for the season — or for no reason at all.
See more of this artist’s home
Photo from Prairie Dance
Another tabletop display option is a metal stand. With so many fun magnets on the market, you can accessorize the stand as simply or as elaborately as you want. Depending on the size of the stand, you can show off one photo or a few.
Another tabletop display option is a metal stand. With so many fun magnets on the market, you can accessorize the stand as simply or as elaborately as you want. Depending on the size of the stand, you can show off one photo or a few.
9. Make it personal. The final idea is all about you. Is there a hobby or theme that you’re particularly fond of? Use that as inspiration for your photo display. Use clothespins or small metal clips to adhere the photo to the object of your choosing.
For avid sewers or lovers of vintage, a wire frame dress form is a great canvas for photographs.
For avid sewers or lovers of vintage, a wire frame dress form is a great canvas for photographs.
Or use bicycle wheels as photo holders in the living room if you’re a cyclist.
Such personal pieces are also good in kids’ rooms. “I never recommend a themed room, but I do love a highly personalized bedroom,” interior designer Karin Bennett says.
Personal touches make a house feel like a home. By adding your personality to photo displays, you share photos of your loved ones while sharing a little bit about yourself.
Your turn: How do you display photos at home? Share your ideas and photos with us in the Comments.
More
Edit Your Photo Collection and Display It Best — a Designer’s Advice
Read more decorating stories
Browse photo frames and holders
Such personal pieces are also good in kids’ rooms. “I never recommend a themed room, but I do love a highly personalized bedroom,” interior designer Karin Bennett says.
Personal touches make a house feel like a home. By adding your personality to photo displays, you share photos of your loved ones while sharing a little bit about yourself.
Your turn: How do you display photos at home? Share your ideas and photos with us in the Comments.
More
Edit Your Photo Collection and Display It Best — a Designer’s Advice
Read more decorating stories
Browse photo frames and holders
Create this eclectic gallery by layering framed photographs on a shelf. No more nailing each frame into place — just install the shelf (or shelves) and move your frames around as needed. As you print new photos or find new frames, you can swap them in or simply add them to the collection.
To get a curated and designed look, mix up the sizes, colors and frame materials.
Pro tip: “Select images and frames that all sit in a similar color palette, perhaps selecting one key color that runs throughout,” interior design photographer Nathalie Priem says.