If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a million times: Your home should reflect your story. We have posted before about non-traditional ways to include family portraits, but of course we love actual photographs, too!

Here are some ways to keep it feeling really intentional (as well as a few unexpected types of photography to mix things up.)

The Gallery Wall

There are lots of ways to put together a successful family photo wall. Consider some of these tactics:

Colorful Frames

In my upstairs hall, dubbed “the happy hallway.” I used 100 red frames and filled them with black and white candids of all our loved ones. The red frames and consistent size give a wow factor without feeling overwhelming.

photo: Melissa Oholendt. To see more of this project click here.

Same frame, Mixed Sizes

In this Minneapolis home, we installed simple black frames from West Elm, but mixed up the size and orientation to give a dynamic sense of movement.

Here’s a more traditional take, in another Minneapolis home. Here we limited ourselves to two frame styles but again mixed the size and orientations.

Photo: Spacecrafting. To see more of this project, click here.

Consider the View

In a San Francisco home, the gallery wall is especially striking when seen from the upstairs hall bath. The wallpaper adds another layer to the overall effect.

Photo: Thomas Kuoh. To see more of this project, click here.

Go for a Grid

In a Prior Lake home, we filled the back wall of an empty vestibule with a grid of frames and larger black and white photos (they are all 8x10.) These can easily be updated to keep it fresh— consider swapping in new photos after a trip or big family event.

Mix in Ephemera

In a San Francisco hallway, family photos share space with framed ephemera, including cartoons drawn by family members and a wedding invitation.

Use a Picture Rail

In Jersey City, a trio of royal blue powder-coated picture rails create order (and the hit of color is fun!) Leaning the art means you can swap out your arrangement on the regular—with no additional holes in the wall.

Environmental Portraits

A more artsy take on the typical large portrait over the fireplace, blowing up a candid photo of your family in a beautiful or meaningful place is a great use of a large wall. When done well, it can read as a landscape. This is also great for the camera shy (like my kids!) It’s okay if someone has their back to the camera.

Archival Photography

Anyone in your family known for a particular activity? Frame a photo taken of them in action. This client’s father was a well known tennis player; we framed an image of him mid-serve.

photo: Josh Grubbs. To see more of this project, click here.

Table Top Display

Last but not least, the classic! We are all for displaying photos in frames around your home.

Consider mixing them in with other objects. Mix heights, shapes, and textures to create a dynamic display.

Tell me: what did I miss? I’d love to hear your creative ideas and add them to our repetoire!

Displaying Family Photos