How to Make a Portrait Wall

Vintage photographs give texture and history to a portrait wall.

A portrait wall sounds like it belongs in a museum, but anyone can create one by using framed photographs and hanging them to create an attractive display. Grouping portraits together can tell a family's story and create an artistic focus in any room, bringing warmth, personality and history into a home or office. Mix and match frames for an eclectic look or select similar style frames for a cohesive collection. Vintage portraits and contemporary photographs can hang together to create a picture wall that keeps family history alive.

Things You'll Need

• Collection of framed portraits
• Hammer
• Nails or picture hangers
• Newspaper
• Tape measurer
• Pencil

Instructions

1. Select a wall that is large enough to host the collection of portraits. Choose an area that has sufficient light but is out of the direct sun.

2. Decide how to organize your portraits. Organize portraits in chronological order, group by color and black-and-white portraits or arrange by family member or branches of the family.

3. Slip portraits into frames of similar style and color or into diverse style frames, depending on your preference. Use complementary photo mats in each frame to create a professional look.

4. Lay each frame on a piece of newspaper. Trace each frame on the newspaper. Cut the traced newspaper so each portrait has a corresponding piece of newsprint. Tape the pieces of newsprint to the wall to test the approximate layout for your portraits. Create 2 inches of space between each portrait for a neat, consistent look.

5. Measure the distance between the edge of each portrait and the hanger. Measure the same distance on the corresponding newspaper "frame" and mark this spot with a pencil. Hammer a nail through this point on the newspaper "frame."

6. Remove the newspaper from the wall, leaving the nails in place.

7. Hang each framed portrait on a picture hook.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the portrait collection centered at eye level.

• Keep photos out of direct sun to protect them from fading.

References

• Catalogs.com: How to Create A Family Picture Wall
• Apartment Therapy: Ideas and Sources for Displaying Family Photos
• Rental Decorating Digest: How to Hang and Display Your Pictures