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Young House Love » Our First House » Framing Arrangements & Art Hanging Ideas (On Video)

| By Sherry Petersik | August 19, 2009 | 110 Comments

Framing Arrangements & Art Hanging Ideas (On Video)

When it comes to showcasing photos and prints around the house, figuring out how to hang them doesn’t have to hurt your brain. We grabbed our video camera and walked from room to room to break down some of the frame arrangements that are living it up here at Casa Petersik. Hope it helps you master the frame game! Watch below or here on YouTube.

But what are framing arrangements if you have nothing to hang? Here are a few of our favorite DIY art ideas along with a fun pooch project for anyone with a willing four-legged participant. You can also find a slew of other cheap & easy suggestions on our How To page under the “Artsy Ideas” header. Happy creating!

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Filed Under: Crafting & Art, Decorating, Our First House, Videos

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Comments

  1. Avatar for WendyWendy says

    August 19, 2009 at 9:42 am

    I love it when you guys do videos – so funny and cute! White frames make a family!

    Reply
  2. Avatar for TracyTracy says

    August 19, 2009 at 9:45 am

    Thank you for the visual tips. I loved the asymmetrical one and the grid.

    You two are so adorable and I love the “ding” at the end. LOL

    Reply
  3. Avatar for ChristinChristin says

    August 19, 2009 at 9:49 am

    Great tutorial on hanging frames – thanks!

    Reply
  4. Avatar for HeatherHeather says

    August 19, 2009 at 9:53 am

    I squealed a little when I saw my drawing of Burger on the wall! I think this tutorial will help a lot of people who are afraid to hang multiple frames. Even though you are so far away I can still feel like I’m in the Petersik casa.

    Reply
  5. Avatar for AlyzandeAlyzande says

    August 19, 2009 at 9:53 am

    Ooh what’s for dinner? *giggle*

    I found some pine frames in my local cheap shop here in Cambridge UK. I intend to attack them with my white gloss paint and make frames at 1/8 normal price. Nothing is safe from the white gloss paint!

    Reply
  6. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    August 19, 2009 at 9:54 am

    “We’re not easy.”

    false :)

    miss you.

    Reply
  7. Avatar for KimKim says

    August 19, 2009 at 9:56 am

    This helps so much! We’re renting a house and I’ve been very intimidated about hanging the tons of frames that we received as wedding gifts. I love the idea of first taping paper pieces on the wall to figure out the design. This way I won’t be putting too many “extra” holes in walls that aren’t mine. Thanks!

    Reply
  8. Avatar for Jennifer S.Jennifer S. says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:15 am

    Very informative. I am the worst at hanging art. Do you think the arrangement would look as good or cohesive if the frames are not alike?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 10:22 am

      We definitely love a collection of mismatched frames and art hanging together for tons of interest and character in a space. The key is to attempt to find one underlying thing that ties everything together, so if it’s not the frames it could be a color scheme in the art or even just a feeling that you get from what you’re framing (for example, framing a bunch of old flea-market maps and postcards will look cohesive because they all have the same vibe, while framing a modern print next to something vintage might not feel as connected or cohesive). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  9. Avatar for BeckaBecka says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:21 am

    Youre hilarious! I love the arrangements. As photographers, we are always trying to help our clients make arrangements. I may just email them a link to this video. ;)

    Reply
  10. Avatar for AmandaAmanda says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:25 am

    Sherry,

    Love the ideas. Wondering your opinions on hallway framing. I ask because part of our hallway starts in our den and then leads to the bedrooms/back of the house. I was thinking of just doing frames on that part of the hallway that is in the den, but I dont want to look like I didnt finish?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 10:27 am

      Hmm, why not try the taping-up-paper trick to see how it will look before hammering any nails into the wall? We’ve seen a lot of gorgeous hallway art hung in a gallery effect so maybe just doing the hallway and not the den, or doing an arrangement in the den and then creating a space and doing another arrangement in the middle of the hallway is the way to go. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  11. Avatar for pattipatti says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:27 am

    thank you so much for this! we are always trying to figure out different ways to assemble photos and art. we are getting ready to tackle putting a photo wall in our dining room and i was dreading figuring out where to put all the frames. that trick with taping paper the size of the frame to the wall is just what i needed. so simple…why didn’t i think of that?! we always just lay everything on the floor. thanks again as always for the awesome tips! :)

    Reply
  12. Avatar for Jen Z.Jen Z. says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:32 am

    This is great! Thank you so much for putting this video together and you two are just so cute doing it. I can’t wait to hang pictures now. Love the idea of putting the pieces of paper up on the wall first….great idea.

    Reply
  13. Avatar for mrslimestonemrslimestone says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:44 am

    Can you come to my house and do a gallery wall for me? I have plenty of artwork to hang – I just don’t have the guts to put the holes in my plaster walls!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 10:50 am

      Hey Mrs Limestone,

      You know, on shoots for commercials I’ve watched set decorators use those little 3M hooks to hang all the art and take it down seamlessly at the end of a week-long project. Maybe that’s a good idea for your plaster walls? In the good news category, our walls are plaster too and although they’re super crumbly when you’re pulling out a nail/screw/anchor, putting one in isn’t that bad. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  14. Avatar for Jenny @ Words On WendhurstJenny @ Words On Wendhurst says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:49 am

    I’ve used the paper arrangement many a time, and it has saved my walls! Love all your fresh clean arrangements. :-)

    Reply
  15. Avatar for Briel K.Briel K. says

    August 19, 2009 at 10:51 am

    Sherry, you are too cute! :)

    Love the videos guys!

    Reply
  16. Avatar for LaurenLauren says

    August 19, 2009 at 11:10 am

    Y’all are so funny. Thanks for this. We just finished up painting the front part of the house, and I’m looking forward to hanging pictures soon!

    Reply
  17. Avatar for SaraSara says

    August 19, 2009 at 11:21 am

    “tour de force” and “was it good for you?” = best parts of the video.

    oh yeah, and it was very informative as well. :)

    Reply
  18. Avatar for SarahSarah says

    August 19, 2009 at 11:26 am

    Awww, that was too cute. I loved it! Lots of good advice. I am really liking the weekly videos. Plus, the ending was great! I can’t wait for the next one!

    Reply
  19. Avatar for StephSteph says

    August 19, 2009 at 11:51 am

    Great work, as always. Do you have a favorite source for inexpensive new frames?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 11:52 am

      Almost every frame in our house is from Ikea (although there are a few Target ones in there too). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  20. Avatar for kimkim says

    August 19, 2009 at 11:53 am

    This is perfect!!! You guys crack me up. Put a big ol’ smile on my face this morning!! Thanks, I think I’ll be getting the hang of it very soon!!

    Reply
  21. Avatar for Abby B.Abby B. says

    August 19, 2009 at 12:25 pm

    This is so helpful! I’ve always hung my frames in an asymmetrical fashion and acted like it was on purpose, but now I’m going to try some of these other techniques out.

    And the house keys in a frame? So adorable that I might have teared up a bit. :)

    Reply
  22. Avatar for BlairBlair says

    August 19, 2009 at 12:28 pm

    FYI: I clicked over to the old DIY art post and noticed that the wedding shadow box picture isn’t working. (Which is too bad considering that’s the one I really want to see! I want to do something like it with our wedding memorabilia.)

    Reply
  23. Avatar for CarolynCarolyn says

    August 19, 2009 at 12:39 pm

    This is great! We’re still in the process of making our new house a home, and you gave me a ton of great ideas for our walls. Thanks!

    On a different topic, here’s a blog post idea for you. You already know that half of America loves your website (because you guys are awesome!). But I’d love to know what websites you love. What (or who) inspires you, motivates you, or just makes you laugh? I know you’ve got a big list of Link Love over to the right, but I guess I’m wondering which ones are your favorites. Perhaps you’ve already done this and I just missed it…

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 12:56 pm

      Blair- Thanks for the heads up on that broken image. All fixed!

      Carolyn- It’s hard to pick favorites when there are so many awesome blogs out there! We especially love Apartment Therapy, All Things G & D, Brooklyn Limestone, Chez Larsson, Bower Power, Bromeliad, Decor8, Design Sponge, Desire To Inspire, Making It Lovely, and Urban Grace Interiors to name a few. But we’re seriously obsessed with about a million blogs (we read over 200 a day!) so that’s only a small collection of the ones we adore (and even our Link Love section needs to be updated with more that we’re digging). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  24. Avatar for Jen DoyleJen Doyle says

    August 19, 2009 at 12:43 pm

    I love seeing the entire set of frames in your guest room. They look great! I, too, love the paper trick or else I make my hubby stand with the frame at the level I want to see it to make sure it’s right.

    One other trick I do (which is so goofy but works for a perfectionist like me) is I take a picture of my blank wall and then copy and paste different ideas in Word or Photoshop to see how it would look – i.e. art above our bed, mirrors in our dining room, etc.

    Keep up the great work – you guys are awesome!

    Reply
  25. Avatar for WhitneyWhitney says

    August 19, 2009 at 12:51 pm

    You guys are the best! Love all of your ideas!

    Reply
  26. Avatar for BlairBlair says

    August 19, 2009 at 1:00 pm

    Sherry – thanks for the quick fix! Did you stick everything in the shadow box with pins or did you use hot glue/some other sticky stuff?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 1:15 pm

      Blair- We didn’t use any pins and actually used craft glue and even some super strong duct tape (which holds the rocks in place on the place cards). Hope it helps!

      Christen- We actually took a small P that we cut out of a magazine margin and blew it up 300% at Kinkos for about a dollar or so. Of course for the items in our shop we get them professionally printed by a local shop here in Richmond (on archival paper so they look good for the long haul). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  27. Avatar for Jamie-LeeJamie-Lee says

    August 19, 2009 at 1:01 pm

    Yall are hilarious! Thanks for sharing your tips on framing. I’ve always been afraid to try to decorate but with inspiration from yall and from Katie over at Bower Power, my fiance and I are taking the plunge into decorating. I love it! So far everything is turning out wonderfully. Send my love to Burger!

    Reply
  28. Avatar for Christen LChristen L says

    August 19, 2009 at 1:10 pm

    Great video! :) This may seem like a basic question, but I love the way you blow things up (like the P from a book). How do you do that without it becoming distorted? Where do you have those items printed?

    Reply
  29. Avatar for TDTD says

    August 19, 2009 at 1:27 pm

    Love love love your ideas Sherry! The video was super cute and helpful. Framing your keys is so sweet. I always throw away my old keys, but I do have one from my childhood home. May be I will steal your idea and frame that in a 3 by 5.
    I know you said you got most of your frames from Ikea. I was wondering what size is the frame above your console table? I bought a few frames couple months ago, but when I place it near my console table I can’t be sure if it is large enough. Any tips?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 1:38 pm

      TD,

      Sadly the big frame with the P in it over the console table (the same frame that’s in our last grouping of three in the dining room) is no longer available at Ikea. I don’t know why they got rid of them but we certainly miss ’em (haven’t seen them for a few years actually). But for reference, the size is 27″ x 23″. And here’s another size tip: when in doubt go bigger. Walls look restless with small frames on them and really come alive with big pieces to draw the eye around the room. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  30. Avatar for Ashley T.Ashley T. says

    August 19, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    Thanks so much for this info! It couldn’t have come at a better time. I have no pictures up and am getting ready to hang engagement, wedding, family, dog, and honeymoon pics. I just purchased a ton of picture frames (off the clearance rack at Joann’s and sale frames w/a 25% off sale coupon from Michaels). My husband thinks I’m crazy but I’m buying spray paint so all the cheap mismatched frames will be the same color. Thanks for pulling it all together for me!

    Reply
  31. Avatar for RachelRachel says

    August 19, 2009 at 3:10 pm

    Sherry – You look like Rachel McAdams’ younger, prettier sister. With adorable John as the other half of the YHL team, why, why WHY aren’t those home networks beating a path to your door? Even if you weren’t cute as two buttons, your ideas and clear, easy-to-follow descriptions are better than a lot of the stuff that’s out there. Great vid.

    Reply
  32. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    August 19, 2009 at 3:17 pm

    I’m so happy you posted this video today! I am going to hang some pictures this evening and I couldn’t decide on an arragement and now I do! =) The videos are sooo informative, keep them coming!! haha love the dinner bell at the end! =) lol

    Reply
  33. Avatar for RoeshelRoeshel says

    August 19, 2009 at 3:46 pm

    Very helpful video/tutorial! You guys are so funny too. I enjoy the videos and can’t wait to come back to this one for when I’m ready to re-do my living room. Thanks!

    Reply
  34. Avatar for RachaelRachael says

    August 19, 2009 at 4:54 pm

    That was so helpful. I have been wanting to hang up some new pictures in my living room and now i’ll know how!

    Reply
  35. Avatar for gilliangillian says

    August 19, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    Completely off topic: I love your shirt!

    Reply
  36. Avatar for DianaDiana says

    August 19, 2009 at 6:52 pm

    Love your videos!!!! This is perfect timing for me too as we are about to tackle hanging wedding photography. Do you have any tips for when you’re using one largish wall as an “art” wall where there is nothing but pictures on the wall? i.e. No furniture on the wall below it. If I’m using large prints (of varying sizes), how far from the floor would you start hanging and how far up would you go if it has a tall ceiling?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 8:34 pm

      Hey Diana,

      It really varies from room to room depending on the space and the art but a good guide is to start around 36-45″ from the floor and keep the top of your highest frames around 12-20″ from the ceiling. Just step back and use your eye to see what works best. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  37. Avatar for ChristinaChristina says

    August 19, 2009 at 8:45 pm

    Love this post! All your videos have been SO great but this is my favorite so far because I have always loved how you hung your photos [especially the ones in your third bedroom] and it was fun to get some little pointers! But I must say the real reason I’m responding is because Sherry, your entire outfit was so cute! I loved everything from your jeans to your earrings! Where do you get all your goodies from?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 19, 2009 at 9:07 pm

      Hey Christina,

      You’re too cute. I shop for clothes the same way I shop for the house… on a budget! My earrings and bracelet are from Target, my jeans are Old Navy and my shirt’s from Banana Republic on clearance. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  38. Avatar for SaraSara says

    August 19, 2009 at 11:20 pm

    Thanks for this video. This is exactly what I needed right now. I wanted to do a photo display wall but wasn’t sure where to get started. Now I do! Thanks!!!

    Reply
  39. Avatar for MelissaMelissa says

    August 20, 2009 at 12:55 am

    Thanks so much for sharing this video – it really is a great way to share information with others – it really keeps it exciting. Can you share where you got your frames from? I love the white frames and that you have frames displayed differently throughout the house.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 20, 2009 at 7:30 am

      Hey Melissa,

      Most of the frames are from Ikea, but there are also a few in there from Target. Hope that helps!

      -John

  40. Avatar for AmyAmy says

    August 20, 2009 at 9:32 am

    Sherry-

    Love the idea of the shadow box for wedding momentos. We were married last fall, and I have saved some things and wanted to display them, but had no idea how to (and, I’m not a scrapbooker). I picked up a shadow box at the craft store the other day, but I think it might be too big! What size did you use for yours?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 20, 2009 at 9:58 am

      Glad you’re digging the wedding shadow box idea Amy. Ours is 15 x 12″. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  41. Avatar for caitlyncaitlyn says

    August 20, 2009 at 11:13 am

    This is SO helpful! We have been living in our house for almost 6 months now and have nothing on the walls, it’s just so overwhelming! :( Great post!

    Reply
  42. Avatar for RedlilocksRedlilocks says

    August 20, 2009 at 3:40 pm

    In the past, I have tended towards one large piece on an empty wall but since discovering your blog, I have been totally converted to displaying pictures in groups. In fact, I think the weekend after I first stumbled upon your fantastic site, I went out and bought a load of black & white Ikea frames to do 3 different displays in my place – two symmetrical and one asymmetrical – using the tried and tasted paper method :) The video was just too cute – you guys are pure unadulterated inspiration!

    Reply
  43. Avatar for BriBri says

    August 20, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    *ding!* You guys are adorable. Thanks for all the tips! Excuse me, I have to go home and tear all the stuff off my walls and start over now.

    Reply
  44. Avatar for JillJill says

    August 21, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Love your art and how it’s hung! In one of your arrangements, the asymmetrical, I think, there was a frame or two that had no mat, just the clear glass, so that the wall color showed through. Did you do that yourself, or did it come with two pieces of glass for pressing something between?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      August 21, 2009 at 9:45 am

      Hey Jill,

      Good question! All the frames around the house came as-is, so anything that showed wall behind it through glass (without the mat or any backing) was meant to be hung that way and probably came from Target (since most of our frames are Ikea, and they come with traditional mats and backing for the most part). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  45. Avatar for KristinKristin says

    August 21, 2009 at 11:10 am

    I loved all your picture frame arrangements! I have a hard time with frames, love them…but don’t know what to put in them? I have a lot of frames sitting around without pictures in them. It’s kind of a joke at my house. Maybe I should paint them all the same color, maybe that will help. ;)

    Reply
  46. Avatar for alisealise says

    October 2, 2009 at 1:30 pm

    where did you find the cubby picture?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 2, 2009 at 1:43 pm

      Hey Alise,

      It’s from allposters.com (and was super cheap too). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  47. Avatar for alisealise says

    October 4, 2009 at 2:51 pm

    thanks for the info about the poster, any idea how to find it on the allposters.com website? Love your site!

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 4, 2009 at 4:11 pm

      We looked for the direct link for you but couldn’t hunt it down. So sorry! You might want to search through the photography or still life categories on their site or even search terms like “olive oil food shelf print poster” on google or art.com. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  48. Avatar for KatieKatie says

    October 6, 2009 at 9:30 am

    What do you think about mismatched frames- like, severely mismatched? I have a bunch (20ish?) of random 5×7 and 4×6 frames that range from streamlined and classic to more gilded and ornate. I was thinking about putting some of our wedding photos in them and using them to line the stairway. Although the theme would be cohesive, maybe it would look a little wonky?

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 6, 2009 at 9:38 am

      Hey Katie,

      We love a mismatched look for frames- especially when they’re used to create a Domino-ish look (gathered en masse in a grouping above a sofa or traveling up a staircase for example). The only issue you might have is that since some are gilded and ornate and some are classic and streamlined they might push the bounds of looking mismatched and actually look sort of hodge podge in a bad way. We really can’t tell without seeing them, but if they do look a bit too random and you’re looking for a quick way to unify them all, you could spray paint them all the same color (a rich chocolate brown, soft gray, sleek white, even an antique bronze color) so they suddenly relate to each other even though they have very different lines and flourishes. Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  49. Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

    October 20, 2009 at 6:25 pm

    The pictures above your sofa look great. Thanks for reminding people not to hang them too high. I see that all the time! Just wondering how you attached the pictures to the brick wall.

    Reply
    • Avatar for YoungHouseLoveYoungHouseLove says

      October 20, 2009 at 6:46 pm

      Hey Jennifer,

      We just used a drill bit meant for masonry and drilled right into the mortar between the bricks to create little pilot holes for each nail. The big tip is to never drill into the middle of a brick (which can chip or crack) so going for the mortar is the way to go- plus it makes it easier to keep things the same level). Hope it helps!

      xo,
      s

  50. Avatar for JenniferJennifer says

    October 20, 2009 at 7:55 pm

    Thanks as always for your quick and helpful response!

    Reply
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John and Sherry smiling against pink backgroundHey, we’re John & Sherry. We’ve fixed up 7 homes, written books, designed products, started a podcast, and then downsized & moved to the beach! Here you’ll find over 3,000 DIY projects & home updates. More about us…
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