Decorating With Photos

Photographs were once considered a major decorating taboo. You could put a framed picture on your dressing table, but never on your wall as decoration, no matter how attractive it was. But that was then. Today, decorative photos are making a big comeback in home design. From traditional family portraits to high-end studio photography, pictures are now a popular type of wall décor in modern homes. If you’re thinking of sprucing up your bare walls, a framed photograph (or two) might be just what you need.

The best thing about decorating with photos is that you don’t have to worry about matching. As long as you like the photograph, you can put it in your room. But that said, there are a few rules to keep in mind. Here’s a quick guide to make sure you do it right.

Choosing your photos

You can take pictures of people or things you like, or dig up old photos from your family albums. Don’t worry too much about the quality; you can always have them restored or retouched at a photo shop. What’s important is that the picture means something to you and you want to display it for everyone.

You’ll also need to decide between one main photo and several smaller ones. The latter offers more variety, but a single photo will have a more personal and dramatic effect. When choosing multiple photos, keep in mind how they’ll look as a group—they don’t have to be related, but they shouldn’t clash or look awkward.

Making prints

With the rise in digital photography, anyone can now make display-quality prints directly from the camera. If you’re planning to print your own photos, make sure your printer’s up to the task: you need a high-resolution printer that supports thin borders and full-color prints. However, keep in mind that digital prints rarely come out as clear as film prints. Inkjet and dye-sub printers usually come close enough.

The maximum print size on standard printers is 8 x 10 inches, and that’s usually enough. Any larger and your photo might take up too much space or be difficult to frame. An 8x10 print will easily dominate a shelf top, so try balancing it out with a couple of smaller prints.

Choosing frames

Your picture frames do two things: first, they put emphasis on your pictures; and second, they set the boundary between your picture and the wall. That means they have to go well with both the wall and the photo. The safest way to do this is stick to neutral colors like white, gray, and black. Wooden frames also work well, especially if you’re going for a rustic country theme.

The thickness of your frame also matters. A frame that’s too thick will dwarf the actual picture, but one that’s too thin makes it look oversized. Keep it in proportion with your picture. If the picture’s subject is small, choose a slim frame to draw the viewer’s eye inwards. For larger subjects, choose a thicker frame with a bit of matting to separate it from the image.

Arranging your photos

When you’re ready to put your photos up, the first thing you need is a bare space to put them in. Look for natural frames in your walls, such as between two windows or two doorways. The wall over a fireplace is a great spot because it faces a large public area, and the fireplace makes a nice accent. If you have an empty hallway, photos are also a great way to fill the walls.

Be sure to put them at eye level for comfortable viewing. You can move them up and down a bit for some variety, but make sure they can still be viewed without crouching or tiptoeing. Eye level varies per person, of course, but a good average would be about 56 inches from the floor to the center of the picture.

Try arranging your photos in columns on a narrow bit of wall. This emphasizes the shape of the wall and creates sleek, elegant lines around the pictures. For a bit more interest, try framing them in different sizes and arranging them in a random, non-linear fashion.