Displaying Family Photos in a Home

Vacation shots of your family are wonderful framed memories.

Even in this digital era, many families have family photos stored in boxes, drawers and photo albums. While it's not possible to frame and display all of them, many photos capture key moments in your family's history -- weddings, graduations, births and anniversaries -- and bring back cherished memories. Likewise, professional portraits deserve to be displayed. Show off those photos is in creative ways throughout your home. Your images can even take the place of expensive artwork and truly personalize your living space.

Instructions

1. Many online and drugstore photo-processing services can print photo images on canvas. Search through your photos for several that seem to go together. Choose one photo for each family member, or choose several photos you've taken on vacation. Make them both horizontal and vertical shots. Have them transferred to canvas and gallery wrapped. Then group them on simple picture easels on a buffet, display table or bedroom dresser.

2. For a casual display, use a photo holder. These typically hold several photographs and are ideal for images that catch your fancy for one reason or another. An advantage of these displays is that you can swap out the photos anytime you please. So if it's your daughter's high-school graduation, and you're feeling sentimental, you can pull out a picture of her preschool graduation. Or if you've just gotten the package of your son's T-ball photos, you can clip out a wallet-size image and slip it into the holder. Display your photo stand on a kitchen counter, where you can see it often while you're making dinner or doing the dishes.

3. Make the most of a hallway by creating a gallery of photos. One option is using only black and white photos and the same kind of frame. Alternatively, use the same style of frame, but choose three or so colors that complement the other colors in your home. If possible, use one or two round frames, as well. Carefully plan your layout, measuring your space and drawing out the placement of the photos on large sheets of butcher block paper before you mount the photos on the wall. Many families display photo collages this way on the wall above a staircase.

References

• House Hunting: Ideas for Displaying Family Photos
• Apartment Therapy: Stylish Ideas for Displaying Family Photos