Author: Louise Dickens | 6th October 2017
Printed photographs are a nice way to personalize your home and surround yourself with your favourite memories.
Despite overflowing in digital photos, there’s something special about printing photos, which is why we tend to display these trophies in a nice frame.
And there are hundreds of good-looking frames available from retailers all over the country. I myself am in the process of collecting various styles of frames for a photo gallery I’m putting together.
But frames aren’t the ONLY way to display your favourite photos.
Sometimes I just want to keep a happy little memory tucked away in a nook or cranny, preserved but not on grand display. What’s more, being the style-conscious-wannabe-interior-designer that I am, I’m often after a more unique and quirky way to display my photos.
Which is why I’ve searched the internet and put together this list of alternative photo display ideas.
(If you have any cool ideas of own, please comment below or use #myfujiprints to get my attention on Instagram and Twitter)
- Washi Tape
My life has been forever changed by washi tape. I’ve used it before to create temporary wall art and bring new life into old furniture.
I LOVE this idea of using washi tape to create your own fun ‘frames’.
Washi tape is a type of thin, colourful masking tape (originating from Japan, obviously). The best thing is that it is low-tack, meaning it doesn’t rip the paint/plaster from walls and is easy to change whenever you feel like it!
2. Family Tree
Bring the family tree concept to live with fake branches!
This is a wedding decor idea, but there’s no reason why you couldn’t recreate it for use in your home.
- Clipboards
I’ve seen this clipboard gallery idea before, but this tutorial is my favourite because it’s quick, easy and super-cute!
This is another fun way to create a flexible, interchangeable photo gallery, which works great in a home office.
4. Copper Metal
This DIY copper pipe frame won’t be for everyone, but I love how it revitalises a traditional concept with a bold new approach.
There’s loads of potential here to add your own personalized touch by using different metals etc. so get creative!
5. Photo Strip
Imagine being greeted by this fun photo strip every time you came home!
It has a gallery-esq theme to it which is really nice, but the frameless and carefree way of layering the photos (which, let’s be honest, probably took hours of careful placement) makes it feel very welcoming and friendly.
I’m not quite sure how this has been achieved, but I imagine you could use double-sided sticky tape or command strips (if you’re renting!) easily enough.
6. String/Twine
A whimsical classic from teenage years, there is no cuter way to display your photos.
Simple yet effective, this technique will look good in any home setting.
7. Mobile
This is a really unique idea that I totally love. A mobile has movement, which can really help to energise a room and help bring your photos to life.
What’s more, as mobile tend to be hung from the ceiling, they bring height to a room and add visual interest – this is a DIY that I’m definitely going to try for myself!
8. Bike Wheel
Perfect for cyclists and vintage-enthusiasts, this up-cycled bike wheel is SO unique!
It’d be easy to spray paint the wheel with colourful or magnetic paint to make it stand out even more.
(This would also make a great notice/memo board)
9. Family Bookcase
Elsie and Emma at A Beautiful Mess come up with the best DIY ideas – but this has to be one of my favourites.
In this project, Elsie used blueprint copies of family photos and stuck them to the back of her bookcase. Dead easy but so, so effective and an interesting way to showcase old family photos.
10. Books
I am something of a book lover myself, and a little bit of me was initially horrified to see books being used in this way.
But after the initial shock, I realized this is a lovely way of preserving old books as well as old memories – and then it became my new favourite photo display idea.
Books have sentimental value too. The majority of my favourite books growing up were the same books my Mum grew up with. Instead of donating old books when the time comes – giving them a second purpose like this is something I am very much on board with!
11. Coffee Table
I’ve seen this concept before in restaurants, but this is a really easy way to introduce it to your own home.
What I like about this is that it incorporates photos and memories in a visual but practical way. The coffee table is a central part of any family home, but is often overlooked.
With this DIY, every time you have friends/family over, or every time you sit in the living room with a book and a coffee, you’re reminded of the memories that matter. Cute.
12. Jars
Jars are so versatile and useful, and I never throw empty jars away. This idea is such a simple one, but with countless possibilities for personalization.
Took a trip to the beach? Bring some of the beach back in the form of sand/shells to line at the bottom of your jar. Alternatively, add ticket stubs or foreign bank notes to add a little more to the memory.
13. Binder Clips
Have you ever spent money on a cute-but-overpriced single photo holder?
I have. But sometimes all you need is a clip binder and some ribbon/patterned tape to make the perfect holder for MUCH less. Don’t you agree?
14. Decals/Wallpaper
Go big, or go home! If there’s a photo you absolutely LOVE, why not make a proper feature out of it with a personalized wall decal or wallpaper.
This one is definitely for the bold, but I think it can work really well when done right.
15. Bunting
This is a really cute idea for adding a bit of personality to your party decorations.
You can use thread, string or ribbon to connect your photos (clicking the link to Brit + Co will show you to 3 DIY methods for making photo bunting).
16. Lampshade
Let your photos light up your world – literally – with this DIY photo lampshade.
This will make those evenings in extra cosy!
That’s all I could find today! If you spot any you think I’ve missed, please comment below or use #myfujiprints to share yours with us on Instagram and Twitter.