I never thought this would such a big discussion! I personally love photos all over!! Bedroom, family room etc. It’s your family, you should display them wherever feels right and wherever brings you joy! Love your gallery wall!
My mom has always been team no family photos up. When I visit other houses and see happy/funny/sweet photos up of my friends and extended family on display it makes me smile. It also makes me wish that our house was more photos and less random art while growing up. Obviously, my apartment has a healthy amount of photos all over to make up for it. :)
Kylene - Love this! My version is hanging stuff on the walls. My mom was always VERY careful about putting holes in the walls, and often chose not to hang anything at all — which has made *me* very anxious about putting holes in the walls. I wouldn't say I'm exactly carefree at this point :) BUT I work very hard to fight that fear and decorate our walls!
The CLJ reel comments are worth the read! We have a stairwell gallery wall with a variety of family photos (weddings, graduations, childhood portraits, etc.) in coordinating frames. Each wedding (ours plus one for each of my stepchildren) has one collage frame with a mix of formal and candid photos. The number of framed photos I have sitting around the house has drastically decreased over the years. I lean more toward pretty decor items these days. I do love photos so recently got my husband and I each an Aura digital frame. I had a bunch of old print photos scanned so I could mix those in with more recent digital ones. It will be a nice way to see a lot of photos in a compact space.
I love family photos in frames. They just make me happy! Because of your (past?) gallery walls I am contemplating a (tasteful, hopefully!) gallery wall in our guest bedroom with photos of our guests! Extended family, close friends, loved ones who have visited us. We once stayed at my husband’s cousin’s home and in the guestroom we stayed in his cousin had displayed a few of our past holiday cards in a lovely dish on a dresser. This may sound cheesy but it was honestly so sweet and touching. Knowing she had kept our cards and thought to display them for us was just sweet. I loved seeing our little family pics in our room away from home! Anyway. I’m team tasteful-smattering-of-select-family-photos-here-and-there. Family photos aren’t art, though. Art on the walls, framed photos on shelves or other select surfaces.
Apparently I have smt about this! I meant to add that we do have a set of photo ledges in our bedroom where I’ve placed some family photos. I will say I constantly think about changing it up. This conversation has me thinking about this! Our nicest wedding photo/frame is displayed on a bureau in our room, too. Next to a plant. ☺️
That’s so funny. My extremely chic NYC decorator fully encouraged us to put clusters of family snapshots all over the place in the public spaces (and private spaces) of our apartment (as long as they were in the equally chic — and very expensive — frames that she picked out). I have never heard of this “rule”! Whatever makes you happy!
Ours are in a second floor open hallway--a gallery on top of a credenza (the hallway is wide).
The fact that we have a gallery can be seen from the living room and foyer. I wouldn't put family photos in my bedroom. In a former house, we had our gallery in the living room on top of a console table. The family room is also a good place for them.
At the top of the stairs we have a gallery wall full of family photos that look over the foyer. So when you walk in you can see them, but really need to go upstairs to see the detail. We have gotten so many compliments. I love it so much.
I'm also a 'no pictures' home. I displayed pictures in our first condo, but when packing up to sell, just never unpacked in our new home. The kids were little, it didn't seem necessary. Then we moved, and since I knew it was temporary, I still never unpacked. Then we moved again, and same story.
I think we only did a family portrait once, and my husband took it for his desk at work. I did take Senior pictures of the kids and said "oh I'll frame them" and just didn't. I occasionally feel badly about it, when I am in other people's homes, but as others haver said, I've got the pictures on m y phone (and hard copies from the time before phones in photo albums.
We don’t have any in our bedroom, but I can’t say that was intentional! I decorated with prints and just never thought of it. Though I do have a nice family photo of us all in our walk-in closet cause there’s a nice shelf and I get to see if every morning when I’m getting ready for the day. Otherwise they are mostly in our living room, den and kitchen. We have the annual family calendar and mini photo books so lots there.
When I finally put a gallery wall of profesh family photos (along with a few other small items) up in our primary bedroom, I felt like the room was *finally* finished—5 years after we moved in! I love that you put up what made YOU happy. And I am 100% with you on Team No TV in the Bedroom! Keep that thing out there with the couch and the snacks! 😜❤️
Yes, we entertain others and I do prefer a minimalist, tidy look to my designs and home. However, we have people over maybe 2-3 times a month. The rest of the time I am LIVING in my house and everything I use in design is mainly for me and my family. It needs to be functional and a thing of beauty. For me, anyway.
I love feeling comfortable in my home and seeing all the reminders of memories made with my sweet family all around me. That’s what makes it feel like OUR home. ❤️ That’s just my opinion.
We do have photos of the family and our animals in various places in the house. When I see them, I smile and feel happy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I am a grandmother with one 19 month old granddaughter. I have lovely silver framed pictures of her & silver frame photos of my dtr’s wedding in my living room. We downsized & have a non- formal living room where we watch tv &sit in front of the fireplace. We also have a sunroom where we sit & read. I have several black wooden framed pictures in the sunroom w/ plants etc. I only have 2 small photos of my on children in their Christening dress on a end table beside my bed with a lamp& stack of books.
Now I am rethinking those silver frames in the LR.
What a great question, Alexandra - I have always had a few wedding pictures framed but I think kids have usurped those in terms of display in our home.
I'd love to hear if others feel differently about kid pics and wedding pics...!
“It is a space primarily associated with the relationship and intimacy between partners.”
What celebrates your relationship and intimacy more than the humans you’ve created? Nothing.
I’m glad you put them up!
I never thought this would such a big discussion! I personally love photos all over!! Bedroom, family room etc. It’s your family, you should display them wherever feels right and wherever brings you joy! Love your gallery wall!
My mom has always been team no family photos up. When I visit other houses and see happy/funny/sweet photos up of my friends and extended family on display it makes me smile. It also makes me wish that our house was more photos and less random art while growing up. Obviously, my apartment has a healthy amount of photos all over to make up for it. :)
Kylene - Love this! My version is hanging stuff on the walls. My mom was always VERY careful about putting holes in the walls, and often chose not to hang anything at all — which has made *me* very anxious about putting holes in the walls. I wouldn't say I'm exactly carefree at this point :) BUT I work very hard to fight that fear and decorate our walls!
The CLJ reel comments are worth the read! We have a stairwell gallery wall with a variety of family photos (weddings, graduations, childhood portraits, etc.) in coordinating frames. Each wedding (ours plus one for each of my stepchildren) has one collage frame with a mix of formal and candid photos. The number of framed photos I have sitting around the house has drastically decreased over the years. I lean more toward pretty decor items these days. I do love photos so recently got my husband and I each an Aura digital frame. I had a bunch of old print photos scanned so I could mix those in with more recent digital ones. It will be a nice way to see a lot of photos in a compact space.
I love family photos in frames. They just make me happy! Because of your (past?) gallery walls I am contemplating a (tasteful, hopefully!) gallery wall in our guest bedroom with photos of our guests! Extended family, close friends, loved ones who have visited us. We once stayed at my husband’s cousin’s home and in the guestroom we stayed in his cousin had displayed a few of our past holiday cards in a lovely dish on a dresser. This may sound cheesy but it was honestly so sweet and touching. Knowing she had kept our cards and thought to display them for us was just sweet. I loved seeing our little family pics in our room away from home! Anyway. I’m team tasteful-smattering-of-select-family-photos-here-and-there. Family photos aren’t art, though. Art on the walls, framed photos on shelves or other select surfaces.
Apparently I have smt about this! I meant to add that we do have a set of photo ledges in our bedroom where I’ve placed some family photos. I will say I constantly think about changing it up. This conversation has me thinking about this! Our nicest wedding photo/frame is displayed on a bureau in our room, too. Next to a plant. ☺️
The holiday card touch is so thoughtful! My goodness - I applaud that effort immensely.
That’s so funny. My extremely chic NYC decorator fully encouraged us to put clusters of family snapshots all over the place in the public spaces (and private spaces) of our apartment (as long as they were in the equally chic — and very expensive — frames that she picked out). I have never heard of this “rule”! Whatever makes you happy!
Ooh what frames did you use?
Ours are in a second floor open hallway--a gallery on top of a credenza (the hallway is wide).
The fact that we have a gallery can be seen from the living room and foyer. I wouldn't put family photos in my bedroom. In a former house, we had our gallery in the living room on top of a console table. The family room is also a good place for them.
At the top of the stairs we have a gallery wall full of family photos that look over the foyer. So when you walk in you can see them, but really need to go upstairs to see the detail. We have gotten so many compliments. I love it so much.
I love this, Jessica! A great split-the-difference approach.
I'm also a 'no pictures' home. I displayed pictures in our first condo, but when packing up to sell, just never unpacked in our new home. The kids were little, it didn't seem necessary. Then we moved, and since I knew it was temporary, I still never unpacked. Then we moved again, and same story.
I think we only did a family portrait once, and my husband took it for his desk at work. I did take Senior pictures of the kids and said "oh I'll frame them" and just didn't. I occasionally feel badly about it, when I am in other people's homes, but as others haver said, I've got the pictures on m y phone (and hard copies from the time before phones in photo albums.
We don’t have any in our bedroom, but I can’t say that was intentional! I decorated with prints and just never thought of it. Though I do have a nice family photo of us all in our walk-in closet cause there’s a nice shelf and I get to see if every morning when I’m getting ready for the day. Otherwise they are mostly in our living room, den and kitchen. We have the annual family calendar and mini photo books so lots there.
Sarah, thank you for this tip! I may add a picture in our closet - I love the idea of putting those little smiles in places like that!
When I finally put a gallery wall of profesh family photos (along with a few other small items) up in our primary bedroom, I felt like the room was *finally* finished—5 years after we moved in! I love that you put up what made YOU happy. And I am 100% with you on Team No TV in the Bedroom! Keep that thing out there with the couch and the snacks! 😜❤️
Team No TV and No Snack In Bed :) LOL but really...!
Yes, we entertain others and I do prefer a minimalist, tidy look to my designs and home. However, we have people over maybe 2-3 times a month. The rest of the time I am LIVING in my house and everything I use in design is mainly for me and my family. It needs to be functional and a thing of beauty. For me, anyway.
I love feeling comfortable in my home and seeing all the reminders of memories made with my sweet family all around me. That’s what makes it feel like OUR home. ❤️ That’s just my opinion.
We do have photos of the family and our animals in various places in the house. When I see them, I smile and feel happy. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!
I am a grandmother with one 19 month old granddaughter. I have lovely silver framed pictures of her & silver frame photos of my dtr’s wedding in my living room. We downsized & have a non- formal living room where we watch tv &sit in front of the fireplace. We also have a sunroom where we sit & read. I have several black wooden framed pictures in the sunroom w/ plants etc. I only have 2 small photos of my on children in their Christening dress on a end table beside my bed with a lamp& stack of books.
Now I am rethinking those silver frames in the LR.
Well done sticking with your gut! It's so interesting to discover what "rules" you innately follow without questioning their origin.
The gallery wall looks lovely - what's your frame source?
Thank you! This has definitely caused me to reflect on other "rules" I follow and why...!
Re: frames. The silver ones in the first gallery wall are IKEA, the wood ones are Target.
What a great question, Alexandra - I have always had a few wedding pictures framed but I think kids have usurped those in terms of display in our home.
I'd love to hear if others feel differently about kid pics and wedding pics...!