How to Decorate a Studio Apartment With Photos

Old photographs act as conversation pieces.

Old black-and-white photographs often languish in boxes or inside albums. Displaying your collection of vintage photographs gives you daily access to these precious pictures and provides decor for your studio apartment. While a random assortment of frames in different sizes and finishes can make your apartment look like a junk store, sticking to a single color brings order to a disparate collection. You can curate your collection depending on the amount of wall space you have. Black frames and dark walls really make the images pop.

Things You'll Need

• Low-tack painter's tape
• Drop cloth
• Dark gray latex paint in flat finish
• Paint roller
• 3-inch paintbrush
• Black latex paint in semi-gloss finish
• 1-inch paintbrush
• Frames
• Black-and-white photographs
• Picture-hanging hardware
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Locate a small wall in your studio to display a collection of photographs. Choose a wall that is underused, such as in a corridor or hallway.

2. Using the painter's tape, tape off around the wall to protect adjoining walls from getting paint on them. Place a drop cloth on the floor.

3. Use a 3-inch brush to paint the edges of the wall with dark gray paint in a flat finish. Roll paint onto the rest of the wall. Apply two coats of paint for deep, rich color. Allow the wall to dry.

4. Wash your brush with warm water and soap. Remove the tape.

5. Use a collection of black frames for continuity. Choose frames of any size. Paint frames with black semi-gloss paint if necessary. Allow the frames to dry.

6. Install your collection of black-and-white photographs in the black frames. Position the photographs on the floor in a random arrangement. Do not aim for symmetry; look for a pleasing overall balance. Rearrange the photographs until you like the composition.

7. Attach picture-hanging hardware to your wall. Follow the arrangement of images that you established. Transfer the photographs from the floor to the wall.

Tips & Warnings

• Use archival mats and backing to protect precious photographs.

• Adjust the ceiling lights to illuminate your photo wall.

References

• Apartment Therapy: A Dark Black and White Photography Wall