Style for the Walls: 5 Tips for Hanging Frames

Thoughtfully hanging frames is a great way to transform the standard white walls that come in most apartments without going through the labor of painting. Well-framed photographs of family, friends, landscapes and skylines are an uber cheap alternative to buying art and allow you to personalize and regularly refresh any room in your apartment. See below for tips on how to best assemble your own frame gallery.

1. Plan

Many landlords monitor every nick, hole and dent you put in your walls, so blindly hammering nails and picture hooks is a definite no-no. First envision the quantity of frames you want hung in a room. Decide whether you want a few signature larger pieces in the room or several smaller frames on each wall. You could go bold and plan an entire collage wall of small frames. Whatever look you opt for, be sure to measure where and how far apart you want the frames, and account for what size, shape and thickness of frames you prefer.

2. Go Geometric

As you are mapping and planning where to hang picture hooks, experiment with different shapes and placements. Don’t feel confined to only hang frames side by side or on top of each other. Create an interesting look by placing frames diagonally across to resemble a set of stairs. Mix horizontally and vertically placed frames, or choose one big frame that has several shapes and slots incorporated into it.

3. Be Eclectic

Not all frames have to match in order to create an elegant wall look. In fact, a blend of different colors, materials and sizes give frame-covered walls an artsier appeal. Use different colored fabric frames to accent the entire room and break up a color scheme. Mix wood and metal. Place black frames alongside brown ones. Anything too uniform will look like the showroom of a retail store, so feel free to experiment.

4. Personalize

One of the best aspects of frame decorating is it provides a way for you to bring the people closest to you into your decorating scheme. Frame a mix of scenery and shots of you and the people in your life. Print sepia or black-and-white versions of your favorite pictures to add a vintage effect to your gallery. Look for candid photos of your friends and family as a way to avoid looking like an advertisement for a portrait studio.

5. Rearrange and Refresh

Replacing and rearranging frames on your walls are a great way to refresh the look of your apartment at little to no additional cost. Make the content of your frames seasonal. During fall, find some great shots of changing leaves or in summer, frame a great beach or sunset landscape. Also, rearrange where you hang which frames. If your measurements and spacing permit, swap a frame for one on a different wall for a subtle update.

Using picture frames in your home decor is a surefire way to develop a unique look. Let the frames and their content reflect your personality. Once you’ve mapped out where you want to nail, play around until your heart’s content.