Framed photographs are very popular. They can make any room look better and it’s the perfect way to showcase your photos. Wall frames are great both for photos of your family and friends, but also for your photography work. There are great alternatives for any type of photographic work.
As photography has developed and become more accessible, more and more framing options are available to display your favorite pictures. Buying a frame is easy and doesn’t take much time but how do you display framed photographs on a wall?
Simply placing them on the wall seems too simple and will not create the desired effect. A fabulous way to display wall photo frames is to create a gallery. Here’s an in-depth guide on how to create the perfect photo gallery in your own home:
The basics of a photo gallery
This sounds very easy to do, right? After all, you just place a few photos of different sizes closely together on the same wall. It’s a no-brainer. You just have to make it look good. Well, that’s just about right, but there are some things you’ll need to pay attention to. Here are some guidelines on how to make the gallery really look good and how to make it an important part of the room:
- Wall frames should mainly be hung at eye level. This is the most comfortable area to place photos or paintings, as you won’t have to look up or down; you can hang them a little higher if the room has a high ceiling; either way, try to hang them at about five to six feet from the floor;
- Make the gallery feel cohesive by using similar or matching photo styles; for instance, try using only black and white, or sepia, or darker tones. The same goes for frames – use similar or matching photo frames; obviously, the matting should be similar as well. The idea is to have a congruent style for every photo; in some cases, you can use a contrasting photo, but pay attention to the general look of the gallery before trying contrasting tones.
- When it comes to the arrangement of the gallery, choose a simple pattern, such as rectangular or diamond shapes; make sure you pick an arrangement that can be adapted and will create an overall shape that you like.
- If the wall is small or if you don’t have enough space for a gallery, consider creating a small collage or use a multi-picture frame. These types of frames look very similar to a gallery and will be a great addition on your wall; there are multiple models of multi-picture frames, both tabletop designs and hanging ones.
- If you don’t want to create your own gallery from scratch, you can choose a wall photo frames kit. These are available in multiple sizes and designs, and you only have to hang them and you are good to go!
Creating The Photo Gallery – What You’ll Need
Before starting the project, make sure you have the following items:
- The Frames, including the matting
- The Photos or Paintings
- The Hanging Equipment – Nails, hammer, and hooks depending on the type of wall
- A Laser level or push pins and thread
- Paper and scissors
Start creating your personal photo gallery
As soon as you have all the items, you are good to go! Here’s a quick guide on how to build your own personal photo gallery:
- Think About The Look You Want
You can choose from sleek, elegant, minimalist, homey, artsy, vintage or whimsical styles. Of course, you can also mix these styles or create one of your own.
- Choose The Best Photos You Want To Include In The Gallery
Try to choose a style for your photos, or a common theme; for instance, you can select family photos for one gallery and artistic photos for another; try to have a thematic gallery, which goes well together and where the photos create a special atmosphere or feeling.
- Building The Gallery
Before putting any nails or hooks in the wall, lay the wall frames on the floor and play with them; try to find the right arrangement, check the right fit and try multiple alternatives; see what works and what doesn’t; a good idea is to start from the center and expand outwards; try to go for a rectangular look at first and see how it fits on the wall; try to establish a focal point by placing important photos in the center; add rows and columns, and place the frames 1 to 2 inches apart.
- Place It On The Wall, Frame By Frame
Use nails to place each frame and pay attention to the layout you selected. Another way to find a good arrangement for the photos is to use paper tape, directly on the wall; this way, you will be able to see how the gallery will look; it might be easier to determine the right layout for you.
- Hanging a straight row of frames
Use a piece of string stretched between two pushpins; this will create a straight horizontal line and you can mount the frames along with it; similarly, you can use a laser level; either way, make sure the first line is horizontal before going ahead with the rest;
Keep in mind that galleries look best when arranged in a rectangular or diamond layout; place the wall photo frames relatively tightly, with a distance of about 1 to 2 inches between them; you can go for a looser layout if the wall is large or if you want a more aerated look;
If the gallery is on the stairway, make sure you follow the angle of the steps; the photos must be comfortable to view from every step, so try to place them 5 to 6 feet from the floor.
If you are unsure during these steps, try to work with a friend. They will help you check if everything is level and it works together. Also, you can get feedback on your design!
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