Have you ever tried to count how many photos you’ve got stored on your smartphone or on the Cloud? Probably thousands and thousands. And it’s a fact of modern life that many of our digital images don’t get the attention they deserve – which means that previous visual records of our happiest moments are languishing in digital oblivion. But it doesn’t have to be that way! There are so many creative ways to show off your best pics in your living space: canvas prints, photo tiles, printed gifts and many more. Read our 10 picks for the most creative ways to display your photos!
1. Make a Photo Wall
If you have a whole plain wall that could use livening up, displaying some photos is always a good idea. You could go for an eclectic gallery wall combining prints of different types and sizes, or just choose a classic uniform grid. There are lots of print formats that will integrate well into a photo wall – posters, framed photos, canvas prints and more – so take your choice.
Note that although gallery walls with a slightly anarchic feel have been trending for years, a neat grid of photos can be just as powerful. Obviously, the more pictures you display, the bigger the impact will be, but make sure they all form a coherent entity – your photos should match in style and color palette.
2. Rethink Standing Frames
Displaying your photos in standing frames has always been a popular alternative to hanging them on the wall – and the classic standing frame design still has a lot of potential, often being used for simple yet impactful design features.
If you want to display your photos on a table, bookshelf or mantelpiece, why not go off the beaten track a little and use canvas prints instead of classic photos? Wrapped over a sturdy inner frame, canvas can be displayed easily on any horizontal surface – and several prints of different sizes leant against the wall is a great way to create a carefree artistic atmosphere.
3. Mix Photos and Art
Of course, your photos don’t have to be the only wall art features on the wall. Paintings and printed artworks can all be worked into your design vision. But bear in mind that an eclectic approach is not without its risks – too much contrast can make a wall feel chaotic and jumbled. Your photos are the center of attention here, so any extra elements should serve to complement them, not steal the viewer’s attention.
4. Mix Photos and Personal Objects
Another option for creating an interesting statement wall is to mix photo prints with personal objects that are meaningful to you and your family. This eclectic approach is perfect for statement walls that celebrate specific moments or special occasions – travels, weddings, graduations, anniversaries, anything you like!
If your photo wall is dedicated to your honeymoon, for example, try displaying your photos alongside your postcards, museum tickets, and any other objects that are colorful and visually appealing. So long as it can be attached to the wall, it can form part of a photo wall!
5. Create a Photo Collage
If you have a whole story to tell with photos, printing just one picture simply won’t be enough. But sometimes creating a whole gallery wall isn’t an option either – if you don’t have any bare walls, for example, your wall art will need to be squeezed into whatever space is available.
So how best to display multiple photos without making your living space look cluttered? One smart solution is a photo collage print featuring several pictures. And you won’t need to enroll in a Photoshop course to design your new wall art piece – the best printing providers offer ready-made collage templates, suitable for just about any occasion and interior decor scheme.
6. Turn Empty Corners into Photo Galleries
Photo walls are great, but they have been used a lot in interior design recently – and many people are looking for fresh ways to show off their pics. So here’s yet another solution for an original wall art display – a photo corner.
Chances are you’ve got a corner or two in your lounge, bedroom, or even hallway that are invitingly empty. So why not put them to use? You can create neat grids of photos flowing from one wall to another, or go freestyle with a daring asymmetrical arrangement.
7. Use Alternative Print Mediums
Even though we’re now living in the digital age, this doesn’t mean that the printing industry has stopped looking for new solutions and opportunities – on the contrary, the range of custom printing products keeps growing.
And if you’re thinking of a wall makeover, now’s the time to try out new print types such as hardfoam photo tiles, or prints on materials like wood or metal. Each of these mediums has its own distinctive character that suits certain decor statements – for example, metal prints are ideal for homes with an industrial or contemporary aesthetic.
8. Pilfer Ideas from Social Media
No, we don’t mean “copy that gallery wall you saw on Pinterest” – well, we don’t just mean that, anyway! The fact is that social media really can be a fantastic source for unusual and inspiring decor ideas. There are so many design enthusiasts and influencers sharing wall decor hacks online completely free of charge, it would be a shame not to take advantage!
9. Display Photos in Pairs
Can’t decide between a single statement print and a full-blown photo wall? Why not go the middle way and display a brace of prints together? Choose two images that form a meaningful, unified statement and get them printed in the same size and on the same printing medium. Then hang them side by side, making sure each print has plenty of breathing space around it.
A pair of matching prints can also look great displayed vertically in a narrow strip of wall – though if you have high ceilings, you may need more than two prints to get the best effect.
10. Create a Gallery Look
There’s no need to splurge in an art gallery if you want to achieve a gallery look at home. Simply choose wall art features that are designed in a gallery style – think floating frames, large white mat boards, and cutting-edge printing materials such as canvas, metal or acrylic. The key is to select unique wall art that you wouldn’t see anywhere else – and you can achieve that easily if you create it yourself, using personalized printing services!