A house isn't a home until it is filled with memories and things we care about. Whether that's mementos from past trips, decor we love, or photos of the places and people we care most about, we want to display them in places where they can be seen. But many people wonder if it's okay to hang things like family photos in the living room. We've researched this question to find the best answer.
Of course, it is okay to hang family photos in the living room! The living room is actually one of the most popular areas of the house to hang family photos. If you love your family and want to show them off, hanging family pictures in the living room is a great way to ensure that they are seen by yourself and others.
Some people struggle with finding the best and most creative way to display their family photos. In this article, we'll explore the best ways to display family photos as well as specifics on how to hang them. Keep reading to learn more.
How To Display Family Photos
The following are our suggestions on how to display family photos in a way that makes them stand out but still look cohesive with the rest of your artwork and decor. We'll provide you with details on how to make the photos work with each other and with your existing furniture so that you can proudly display your family photos for everyone to see.
Gallery Wall
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A gallery wall is a collage of photos and artwork that often becomes the room's focal point. If you enjoy looking at your family photos, why not make them the focal point of your living room? The thing about gallery walls is that you can display photos and artwork in a variety of layouts.
A common theme for gallery walls is for all the pictures to be the same style. Consider getting your family pictures printed in black and white or display color photos in matching frames. You can mix and match photo and frame sizes to create a unique gallery wall that fits your own individual style. With gallery walls, the possibilities are endless.
If you're unsure how to create a gallery wall, check out the video below:
Canvas
Printing pictures on canvas is a popular design trend. In addition to looking great, canvas photos are extremely durable, and you don't have to worry about them getting broken if they fall off the wall. That means no broken frames and glass to sweep up. Photos are printed on canvas in a multitude of sizes, so you can hang one large one, several small ones, or a combination of small and large ones.
Thanks to new technology, it is easy to have photos printed on canvas. You can upload them to photo-printing websites directly from a smartphone, select the canvas option and size, and have the finished product mailed directly to your house. If you have an older photo that isn't on your phone or computer, photo centers located in retail stores can scan the photos and print them on canvas for you.
Shelves
If you have smaller framed family photos, consider displaying them on shelves with other photos or decor. For example, if you have a favorite family photo from a beach vacation, place it on a shelf along with mementos from your trip. Seashells, jars of sand, and other souvenirs look great next to framed photos.
If you did a family photoshoot and have several favorites, consider framing them in matching or coordinating frames and lining them up on a shelf. Displaying photos in this way can look like a miniature gallery wall. It's also a great option for those who have limited wall space but have several photos they want to show off. Just hang the shelf at the same height you would hang a picture --more on this later.
You may also like: "How To Hang Stuff Up Without Wall Space [4 Ways]."
Above Furniture
If your living room furniture is pushed up against the wall, you can fill the wall space by hanging family photos above the furniture. But you need to consider the size of the furniture when doing this and choose the right size or amount of pictures.
A couple of medium-sized photos in frames would look great above a loveseat but wouldn't fill the space above a large couch. You may need three or four frames above a couch. Or, you could consider creating a gallery wall on the wall above the couch by mixing small and large framed photos.
No matter how you ultimately end up styling the photos, the important thing is that the photos look like they belong above the furniture instead of looking out of place. In the next section, we'll discuss the best height to hang pictures above furniture.
How High Should I Hang My Pictures?
It may not seem like that big of a deal, but the height you hang a picture does matter. Hanging it too high could cause a strain on the neck for those that are viewing the picture. Hanging it too low, especially above furniture, can cause the picture to look out of place.
You've probably heard the rule to hang pictures at eye level. However, this rule can sometimes be tricky because not everyone's eye level is the same. Taller people may have a higher eye level than shorter people. So what is the best height to hang pictures from?
Above Furniture
If you're hanging a picture above a piece of furniture, such as a sofa or loveseat, it is best to place the bottom of medium-sized frames about 8-inches above the back of the furniture. No matter what size the frame is, place the frame's bottom at least 6-inches above the furniture back but not more than 10-inches.
Above The Floor
Most picture hanging tools suggest placing the center of a picture between 57- and 63-inches off the floor. Since most standard ceilings are 9-feet high, this will put the picture center a little over halfway from the floor. No matter what size picture you are hanging, using this measurement will ensure that your picture looks centered and at the perfect height.
This picture hanging kit makes it easy to hang your pictures. Click here to see it on Amazon.
How Far Apart To Hang Pictures?
If you're hanging multiple pictures in a specific way, such as in a straight line or a gallery wall, you want to make sure that the pictures are evenly spaced but not too close together. Pictures that are too close together can look cluttered and incohesive. So how far apart should you hang pictures?
The best way to hang pictures close together is to space the pictures between 3- and 6-inches apart. This measurement could vary depending on the size of the pictures and the amount of space you have. For smaller spaces or pictures in different size frames, 3-inches between pictures is a good amount of space.
Larger pictures may require more space between them. Hanging them too close together can look bulky. If you have a large wall, hanging pictures 6-inches apart will help to fill out the space better.
Should Picture Frames Match In A Room?
It is entirely up to you if you want your picture frames to match, but they don't have to. As we previously mentioned, matching frames can help create a cohesive gallery wall if pictures are in different styles and colors, but frames that don't match can look great too.
For a more contemporary look, frames don't have to look exactly the same, but you can coordinate your frames so that they're all the same color or the same style of frame. For a vintage look, mixing metallic frames in different colors and styles also looks great.
See more: "Should Picture Frames All Be The Same Color?"
Where To Place Family Pictures In Feng Shui?
According to Feng Shui, place family photos in the spaces where your family gathers. The place where your family gathers is said to be the space where your family is the happiest. Usually, families gather in the living room, further supporting the idea of hanging family photos there.
Hanging family photos in the living room is said to strengthen the bond among family members. Feng Shui also suggests the kitchen and dining room as good places to hang family photos as well, since this is where families gather to prepare meals and eat. Hanging family photos in these rooms are said to bring continued nurturing and abundance to families.
Final Thoughts
We hoped this article helped you discover the best ways to display family photos. Your family makes you happy, so of course, you want those photos displayed. Family pictures are best hung in rooms that your family gathers in and rooms where they are seen often. Thanks for reading!
I have an L shaped wall and a rounded sectional sofa that is away from the wall because it reclines.
The back of the sofa is tall.
Would wanescoating go unnoticed behind the sofa?
Can I place a bookcase or table behind the sofa in a section of the sofa that doesn’t recline?
I am all over the place.
Can you help me.
Thank you