Unique Ideas for Photo Arrangements

April 30, 2010

Photograph Star Adds to Wall Décor
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    A framed photo set on a coffee table or hung on the wall is a sweet statement, but if you’re looking for a truly creative, cost-effective home décor idea, consider displaying your snapshots in chic new shapes and styles. From mosaics to mobiles, there are countless ways to show them off. You can even spell out a favorite word, pay homage to your street address or craft a one-of-a-kind clock. If a picture says a thousand words, these new photo arrangements are sure to speak volumes.

Whimsical Photo Shapes
Hearts, circles, squares, stars—whatever the shape, compiling your photographs into an artistic silhouette is an easy décor project that creates a striking centerpiece for any room, perfect for displaying above a bed or mantel. Adhere your photos to a piece of poster board with glue or tape—making sure to not let the board peek through—then cut the square into a unique shape. You can also trace your shape directly onto the wall with pencil and arrange your pictures on the wall with removable adhesive.

  • Working with a specific shape often requires you to trim some of your photos. That said, make duplicates of your pictures so you can keep the originals safely stowed and intact.

  • To prevent your photographs from warping over time, seal them from moisture damage with a clear protective acrylic spray, available at your local craft store.
Eclectic Image Mosaic
With home décor, think big, then hone in on details to achieve it. By thinking of each of your photographs as individual components of a larger piece, you can create a one-of-a-kind mosaic. Treat each photo as a single tile and fill a small accent wall from floor to ceiling or cover a tabletop. Attach photos easily without blemishing your walls by using a removable adhesive. For mosaics covering a furniture surface, attach snapshots with a liquid decoupage adhesive (available at your local craft store).

  • Give your mosaic some design direction by collecting photos that share a general theme—think friendships or exotic travel—or a common color, like warm red and orange hues or black and white.
Artful Photo Alphabet
Express your inner artist by taking to the streets with your camera and creating found photography. From natural silhouettes to printed signs, take pictures of letters, numbers and shapes found in nature, architecture and beyond to spell out a word, family name or even your house number. Print out each photo, then piece together your word or number in a picture frame, or frame each figure separately. It’s an easy décor idea to create a truly unique piece of artwork, perfect for your own home or as a thoughtful, homemade gift.


Stylish Snapshot Clock
Nothing captures the passage of time quite like a special photograph. Take this notion a step further by creating a unique timepiece that lets your favorite images stay frozen in time. Follow the easy instructions from our Tick-Tock Plates article, and then add a photographic twist. Choose a few pictures for each hour or enlarge just one to create a background image for your clock, adhering them to the plate with decoupage adhesive.

  • The composition and coloring of your photo may affect the visibility of your handmade clock’s hour and minute hands. Be sure to purchase clock hardware in a color that will pop against your photo, or simply spray paint the hands if you can’t find the perfect hue.

  • Make sure your clock’s hardware doesn’t awkwardly cover up an important part of your photo. If your clock hands are covering up someone’s eye or smile as they tick, slightly tilt the photo—it will look artistic and solve your problem!
Floating Memory Mobile
With simple materials and a few photos close to your heart, you can create a floating mobile to halo a desk, bed or table. Try intermixing a few inspiring, handwritten quotes for a mobile that truly makes a statement. For complete instructions and other easy ideas for your mobile, read Handmade Mobiles.

  • The trick to a beautiful mobile is creating sturdy cards that are clearly visible as the piece rotates. To prevent bending, mount each photo on a thick piece of cardstock or poster board.
This month, you can give your home décor an instant artistic twist when you view your photographs with a creative eye. Whether grouped in a mosaic or strung from above, these new easy décor ideas will help you see your space—and your photos—in a whole new light.

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