Decorating With Framed Pictures

Pictures can cover a whole gamut of subjects – artwork you like, personal shots of you and your family, memorable events or shots of a well-loved place. Hanging framed pictures on your walls is a quick and easy way to spruce up the empty walls and to also express your unique sense of style and personality.

Picture frames are the best choice to display your pictures. They are decorative, adding to the overall visual impact of the wall space and separating the pictures from the wall and its other contents. They are also functional, providing protection for the pictures and keeping them securely in place.

Here are some suggestions on how you can decorate using framed pictures:

• As a grid type gallery display. A gallery display grid is a clean and clutter-free approach to decorating with pictures. With a grid, it is like you are showcasing one big display using smaller ones. As a general rule, use similar or identical picture frames (i.e. all antique wood frames), with the same matting color and width. You should also carefully choose the pictures you will display. Go for a particular theme (i.e. same color tones, all black and whites, pictures of family members, etc.) so that the display looks cohesive. Another challenge is for you to carefully measure the distances of your picture frames from each other and ensure that the frame edges are aligned where they should.
• Hodgepodge collection. If straight and uncluttered is not your style, you can go for a more whimsical and freewheeling approach by combining an assortment of pictures in various picture frames. You can also combine other decorative elements such as wood monogram letters and plaster busts. For instance, you can combine an antique oval wood frame with a number of square and rectangular frames. You can have these in an assortment of colors as well. Just make sure that the colors of the frames are in one color family. This way, the display does not look too cluttered.
• Line them up. Rather than presenting the pictures in a grid, show them in one straight line that goes across an entire wall (or even the four walls of the room). You can align the picture frames based on their top edges, their bottom edges or their centers. This can be particularly useful if you are using different-sized picture frames. You can also do a wrap-around close to the ceiling with square or rectangular picture frames. This adds to the depth and spaciousness of the room, as viewers get to look up to view the pictures.
• Using shadow box frames. Add a 3-dimensional element to your displays by using shadow box frames. These are picture frames that have more depth so that you can display objects that are thicker than paper. You can include 3D items with the photos. For example, you can show your family holiday-by-the-beach shots, along with pebbles, small pieces of driftwood and seashells you collected during that holiday.
• Using picture frame ledges. These are shelves that have lesser depth so that they are not too space consuming. With the ledges that you install on the wall, you can layer picture frames of various sizes. You can also change the arrangements of the frame without having to bore additional holes on your wall. You can also incorporate other decorative elements that are light and thin enough to fit the ledge.