Chic Decorating Tips for Photos

Of all the the personalized touches in a home, nothing says more than pictures of friends and family. Your wedding portrait in the hallway, your children's baby pictures on the mantel; no home would be complete without images like these. The problem we all run into, however, is how to display them. There comes a point where you start running out of space for standing picture frames or you can't find frames that match. It's frustrating, especially when you have to take down a treasured photo to make room for a new one. Thankfully there's more than just one way to display these centerpieces of the home. Some allow you to save space and others create a creative space that functions as art as well as a collection of memories. Here are a few of my new favorite ways to display photos.

The Photo Mobile

This is such a great idea. A constantly moving, dynamic piece that can also display your favorite photos. It's an especially great way to display pictures in a child's room and it can even work for teen. I have no doubt it would be easy to make one of your own but if you don't have the time or are DIY challenged, it's also incredibly inexpensive. I found the Kikkerland Randon Hanging Photo Mobile (pictured right) on Amazon.com for $13.99!

Create a Signature Timepiece

Record Clock

Photos are representations of the past so what better way to display them than on a clock? You can attach photos to almost anything (a plate, wood surface, etc) and drill a hole through the middle to create a clock. All you need is some craft glue, like Mod Podge and a clock kit. For more detailed directions on how to create a photo clock, go to http://trendfunnel.com/how-to-advice/how-to-make-a-signature-timepiece/

Glass Jar Frames

Every time I throw out a glass food jar I think, "What a waste." We pay so much for glass but throw it away every day. Well now there's a great way to recycle those old jars. And it's so easy! All you have to do is soak off the label on a jar and slide a photo in upside down. There's really nothing to it at all and it's a fun, quirky way to show off your family photos with a modern twist.

Decoupage a Table

When you're entertaining guests, the coffee table is central to the evening. So can you think of a better place for a functional photo frame? Simply take an old table and attach pictures to the table top using a craft glue like Mod Podge. Then, get a piece of glass cut to the shape of the table top to protect your photos from coffee spills. For more detailed instructions and other creative ideas for decoupage go to http://trendfunnel.com/how-to-advice/how-to-decoupage-a-coffee-table/.

The Mattress Spring Frame

Ever wonder what to do with the hundreds of photos you take of your newborn child? Here's a way to capture a whimsical theme and display these memories tastefully. Firefly Hill Designs executed an idea found in Country Home Magazine and has come up with a way to reuse your baby's old crib mattress spring as a customized photo frame. Simply spray paint it the color of your choice (they picked white) and attach photos and other memorabilia with colorful, hand-painted clothes pins.

The Eyeglass "Frame"

This is probably my favorite of the ideas listed here. Do you have any old glasses frames lying around the house? Even if you don't, this is still a great concept! Pick up some old frames from a thrift store and make sure they don't have tinted or cracked lenses. Pop out one lens and use it to trace around two small pictures. Cut around the pictures to fit the lens size. Then push the pictures into the frames. Ta-da! Done. You can display them on a mantle or hang them on a wall fixture. Or, if you prefer, remove the arms of the frames and thread fishing line through the holes that previously held the glasses screws. Then, attach them to the walls. So simple and so neat!