Tools needed
- Tape measure
- Painter’s tape
- Hammer
- Screwdriver or drill
- Finish nails
- Drywall screws
- Anchors (optional)
- Level
- Paint stir stick
For this example, we created a photo wall that winds up the staircase—something we’ve always wanted to do! There’s something about this look that feels so warm and inviting. We wanted it to feel a little more collected over time, so after selecting and printing a handful of favorite family photos in a range of sizes, we chose an assortment of Matte Brown, Matte Black, Brushed Brass and vintage frames to display them in.
We mapped it out using painter’s tape on the floor. (We moved a couch out of the way to make room.) In our scenario, there was a sconce to contend with, so we cut a piece of paper to size and placed it on the floor to mimic the placement on the wall. Once we had our big, blank canvas to work with, we began laying down our framed photos within the painter’s tape. Here’s where you can really have fun with it without the worry of nail holes in the wall! We re-worked the layout until we were happy with the look, even flowing over onto the adjacent stairwell wall.
Photo Wall - Frame Layout
We started with the largest photo, hanging it on the wall with drywall screws. As we worked our way to the other photos, we looked back at the snap on our phone, noticing how far over or down the next frame should hang. For example, does the frame align to the left, right, or center of the frame above? Tip: In most cases, frames can be hung using a drywall screw or finish nail. If your frame is really heavy (i.e., if you struggle to hold it easily in one hand), you’ll want to use an anchor.
The placement of each frame
Perhaps our favorite part of hanging a photo wall is the lack of measuring needed to get photos aligned perfectly. We hung the entire wall by referencing our snapshot and eyeballing the placement of each frame, but sometimes dealing with the hanger on the back of the frame can be tricky. To make this easy as can be, we made a ‘hanging tool’ out of a paint stick and a drywall screw. The frame hangs on the head of the screw, and once we’ve eyeballed where we’d like it on the wall, we gently push into the frame. The tip of the screw from our tool creates a tiny hole, and this is where we know to put the screw or finish nail! Along the way, we use our level to make sure everything is nice and neat.
In the end, it’s always worth it! Depending on where in your home you start your gallery, you might even have the option to grow your wall as you continue to make memories. A photo wall adds so much life to a blank wall; we couldn’t love them more. We hope these few simple tips and tricks will encourage you to start hanging your favorite photos!