The Importance of Displaying Family Photos In Your Home

The Importance of displaying family photos in the home is that it creates a more personal and loving touch.

Sadly, many people don’t print out pictures anymore, including myself. Although I still take tons of photos, I don’t print out as many as I used to. However, if you think about your parents’ or grandparents’ house, you probably recall seeing lots of family pictures around their house.

Some nice photos in different areas throughout your house or a nicely set up photo wall is great and adds that loving touch. We will give you some great ways to display your family photos in your home and talk about the importance of it.

This post is all about the importance of displaying family photos and creative ways to display them.

I had someone ask me one time, “Why do you have family photos on the walls? Are you afraid you will forget what they looked like?” He was referring to my kids’ photos of when they were little. That caught me off guard because I was thinking, “Well doesn’t everyone display pictures of their kids in their home?”

I guess to answer my question no, not everyone puts family photos around their house. And to answer his question, yes you can kind of forget what your child looked like in different stages of their life. Moreover, it is fun to see pictures of them for those reminders.

For me, having family photos in the house is a staple that should be there. I’ve realized now that a lot of the younger generations either don’t want photos in their home because they want to be minimalists or because they haven’t experienced having kids yet and don’t have that parent view on life. Hopefully they will learn the importance of displaying family photos.

I love having family pictures throughout my house for several reasons and I will explain to you the importance of displaying family photos.

This is the importance of displaying family photos in a home

1. Feeling Emotions and the Reminder of Being Thankful

Photos can recall memories and trigger those thoughts and feelings. For example, looking at your child’s baby picture can bring back emotions about when they were born, things you did with them, and the house that you lived in when they were a baby.

Every time I look at a particular picture of my daughter as a baby it makes me laugh. And it makes me recall that moment when I took her in for her first photo session and she blew up her diaper. I mean it was bad! Being a new mom, I wasn’t prepared with an extra set of clothes so she had to get pictures taken in the outfit she just messed up. Of course it wasn’t funny then, but we can laugh about it now.

I love seeing photos of my (now grown) kids when they were babies or little in general. whereas, it makes me feel happy seeing them as they aged and helps keep the memories alive. Yes, it makes me a little sad too but all in all, it makes me feel proud of raising such beautiful, wonderful kids.

This is also a great reminder of how blessed we are to have these people in our family. In the day-to-day grind, we need those reminders to stop and realize how lucky we are to have so many people that we love and who love us. This is the importance of displaying family photos.

2. To Reminisce and Remember Family

Seeing pictures of our immediate or extended family can bring back wonderful memories. Additionally, it is a great way for family visiting to see how special they are to you by seeing that you have pictures of them on display.

It’s especially important to have pictures of those who have passed away. Having pictures of them can help keep the memories and stories of them alive.

3. Opportunity for Others to See Your Pictures

When my kids were little, I loved for them to have that opportunity to see themselves as babies/toddlers. Seeing those pictures would always spark a conversation about how they were born, what their first word was, etc. They enjoyed seeing themselves when they were little, and I think all kids should have that opportunity.

4. A House Feels More Personable With Photos

When I am in a house that has at least a few photos here or there it makes the house feel more like a home. More like people are living there and not in a hotel or something impersonal where people are just staying for a short amount of time. And I like to see photos at other’s homes because I feel like there is a more personable connection.

There are many ways to showcase your family pictures. Some require just a little cost for some items and others may be a bit pricier. Go with what you can afford and don’t be afraid to find frames and items at a resale shop or garage sale. That can save you a lot of money if you are on a family budget.

5. To Bring Family History To Your Home

The home you live in right now may not be the home you grew up in or your first home with your kids. When moving to a new house you can add family photos that can bring some family history with it. It can even create a time line of history of your family.

How To Display Your Family Pictures and Show The Importance of Displaying Family Photos In Your Home

1. Displaying Family Photos in Frames

This is a traditional way of displaying photos. There are many different frame sizes and shapes available to use. Using pictures in frames gives you two options.

• Set them somewhere in your home or office. If setting them somewhere you have the option of placing them on a shelf, table, or desk. Going that route is the easiest of all as you can place them and move them around till you find the right spot.

• The second option is hanging them on the wall. If you plan on making an arrangement of photos on the wall, I will first suggest using paper templates to tape to the wall. Additionally, make your paper templates the sizes of the frames that you want to display. Then you can move the paper templates around till you come up with the best layout.
  • Decide on what look you want.
    • A grid pattern or flexible grid pattern.
    • Symmetrical or asymmetrical arrangement.
    • A central focal point.
    • Staggered going up or down a stair way

• A third option is to buy collage picture frames that can be either hung or can stand up on their own. These can be easy to slip pictures in and just hang. I have several that I showcase my family side, my husband’s family side, and our family pictures. You can hang one by itself on the wall or make a collage of collage frames on the wall. Or just simply set one up on a table.

• TIPS:
  • If using frames and you want to keep your costs down, find frames you already have and spray paint them for a different look. Make sure to take the glass out before you paint them.
  • For a more uniform look you can buy all identical frames, or you can spray paint the frames you have to be the same color.
  • If you want to go a canvas route, then get your photos printed on canvas. There won’t be a frame with glass to protect the photo, but canvas makes for a really neat look on the walls.
  • When hanging pictures on a stairway it can be cute to put pictures of your kid/kids. Start with them as babies and then pictures of them as they get older going up the stairs. Look at the picture posted here to understand my meaning.

2. Displaying Family Pictures with Wire/Twine and Hooks/Clothes Pins or From Light Strands

This is a very inexpensive way to show off your photos. It is also very easy to assemble.

• There are kits that you can purchase that will make this process very easy. Just buy the kit, follow the directions to hang the wire, and print out whatever size photos you want to display.

• If trying to use items you already have at home, twine, jute cord, yarn, or leather cord is easy to use. Some types of clips like wooden clothespins, mini clothes pins, paper clips, binder clips, or metal hooks with clamps work well.

• A variation of this is to clip pictures to mini light strands or curtain lights. My daughter always had her room lit up with different hanging lights and bulbs to make her room look cute. You can easily use clips to clip pictures from the strands. I would only use light strands with photos on the ones with small lights that don’t get hot. These are the string lights that are battery-operated like fairy lights. Make sure that the clip hangs in between the lights and the picture hangs far enough down that the photo won’t touch the light.

One of the pros of this method is that it is super easy to change out photos. This is also a fun way for kids to display photos in their rooms.

• TIPS:
  • If living in a dorm, apartment, or somewhere that you can’t use nails in the walls, try using sharp pushpins. I have tried using push pins to pin the jute or leather cord to the wall. It can be a little hard to get the pushpin through the leather cord but can be done. The pushpin actually held the cord in place on the wall and didn’t fall down even after pictures were placed on the cord.

3. Displaying Family Photos from Wall Art or Photo Wreath

This is where you can get creative when choosing a wall art piece.

• Go shopping either online or at a store. Look around at metal wall art. If one looks interesting to you and can have a way of holding pictures, then it can double as wall art and photo display.
  • As you can see in the picture, I found a pretty metal flower wall art. I could tell with the prongs that sprouted off of the flowers that it could hold some pictures. Sometimes shopping in an actual store where you can feel it and see if the metal is a little flexible is easier.

• Find a metal photo wheel or metal photo wreath.
  • These can work well and are easily hung. Photos can be replaced as often as you want as it is very simple to exchange photos.

• TIPS: Photo wheels and photo wreaths can be used to display Christmas, Birthday, or other cards if you want to use them for displaying those.

4. Photos Displayed in Tall Standing Frames, Vintage Door, or Wooden Ladder

This big display of photos definitely can catch the eye.

• For a vintage door I would suggest looking at antique stores and places that would sell big antique items. Depending on where you find one the glass may be intact which would make it easy and quick to use. Even so, if it is missing glass you could make due and use it without or find a place that sells glass and get some custom-made to fit it. However, that route might get costly so have a backup plan if you buy the door ahead of time.
  • You might look into having the door used as a neat display in and of itself and then using the method as mentioned above by draping fairy light strands across it with pictures hanging from it.

• A wooden ladder is a cute look as a display in your home but also can be extra cute with strands of fairy lights with pictures or just a jute cord and pictures stranded across it.
  • When I say ladder, please refer to the picture, I do not mean one that is for actual use in climbing. These can be found at antique stores also.

• A tall floor-standing collage frame. This is a very tall frame that folds in and out like an accordion in a way. These are neat as they can be a beautiful focal point in a room. The one I have displays pictures of my kids as babies and toddlers. I love seeing them and having those pictures trigger memories.
  • These can be quite pricey so check around to find the one you really like. They can differ from color to what they are made from.

• TIPS: Measure the place you intend the item to go before purchasing so that you find the right one for that space.

5. Showcase Your Family Photos in Clock Frames

If you plan on having a clock in a room in your house, why not think about one that can hold pictures too?

• Photo clocks can be ones that sit on a table or can be hung up on a wall. Either way, it is a cute way to display a few photos for those checking out the time.
• In today’s world, it’s rare to see clocks in peoples homes now that cell phones are in everyone’s pockets. And the funny thing is if you do see one at someones house, the time might not be correct. In fact, most people don’t bother with keeping them updated. Honestly mine are just for looks as I can’t seem to keep mine updated. Now if you love clocks then this may be your favorite way to display photos.

6. Display Family Photos in Albums

This is a fun way to display photos. I’m sure many of you have albums of your kids as babies or are currently making one. Photo albums are great to display where family and friends can look at them.

• These are fun to show your kids as they are growing older. It can stimulate lots of conversations to have with your kids. It really is a great way to do some family bonding. Plus, kids love seeing themselves as babies and asking questions about what they did or liked. Or even seeing you as a baby or kid.
• As a family you can put some of these books together. My kids had the most fun putting together some of these photo albums after family vacations. And they still love to look back through the albums.

7. Display family photos in picture storage cubes.

• This is a cute idea if it’s functional for you. We have a wooden one that holds our remote controls in. It creates a home spot for our remotes so everyone can find them and is an opportunity to display some family pics. This idea would be cute for an office. It could display family pictures while holding office supplies.

8. Stand-up wire photo display to showcase family pictures

• This stand-up photo stand has a base that has wires that sprout up from it and can then hold a picture on each wire. Not only is it great to use for pictures but it can also be used for Christmas cards.

• Individual stand-up photo wire stands. This is a cute way to display one photo in a small space. You can have multiple ones and space them out in an area.

These are great for kids’ rooms and anywhere that you have space to set them. Also, they are very easy to use and move all around. No need for nails or anything to hang these.

Now all you need to do is figure out what size of pictures to print out and you are on your way to creating a more personable home.

Back before digital cameras were invented the only way of seeing the pictures you had taken was to get the film developed, unless you were a lucky one with a Polaroid camera that printed out your picture. Now with digital cameras people just store their pictures on computers, flash drives, and media cards. All your pictures can be stored there and there is no need to print them all out.

Unfortunately, the sad thing about that is most people never get any of the pictures printed and therefore not shared with others or even seen.

The importance of displaying family photos is that they are seen and shared.

So, I ask you to look through your digital photos and find some that you would print and display in your house. If not for yourself then do it for your family.

Furthermore, get your whole family in on the fun and have them help decorate with photos.