We’re sharing updated photos of our hallway, which we playfully refer to as “wallpapered with frames.” The result instantly added depth and visual interest to a simple passage, turning it into a display the whole family can enjoy. We love that the gallery can include Clara’s drawings, school pictures, and favorite vacation photos—personal pieces that make the space feel lived-in and meaningful.
To explain how we did it: we started by cutting newspaper templates to match every frame we planned to use. Many of these frames were leftover from our previous home or were bought on sale and waiting for a place to shine. We taped the templates to the wall, positioning a few larger templates in the middle to anchor the composition, then built the arrangement outward with smaller frames along the perimeter to create balance. We shuffled things around, stepped back to evaluate, and adjusted repeatedly. We made smaller and smaller tweaks until we were satisfied, then slept on it to confirm our choices before nailing anything into the wall.
The next morning we laid out the actual frames on the dining room floor in the same pattern to confirm that the real frames and their styles worked together—outlines can be deceiving, and sometimes a frame’s finish or depth changes the visual balance. Once everything looked right, we moved to the taping-and-hanging stage.
Because our newspaper templates were already taped to the wall, hanging the frames was quick and precise. We measured how far down the hanging hardware on each frame sat from the top edge, marked the center on the corresponding template, then marked an “x” where the nail should go so the frame would hang in the intended spot. We hammered into that mark, removed the template, and the nail was in place and ready for the frame. The whole process was methodical and took roughly an hour to complete for the entire wall.
Our plaster walls don’t always cooperate with 3M Command hooks or Velcro, so for now we relied on nails. We will add heavy-duty Command Velcro to the lower frames that might be within Clara’s reach once she starts toddling. Clara is gentle and seems to understand “look with your eyes” when we ask, and we might teach her to touch with only a fingertip like another parent suggested. If the low frames ever become a hazard or too high-maintenance, we’ll remove them while Clara is young—her safety is the priority.
After hanging everything, we stepped back and noticed the top-right corner felt more densely grouped while other areas felt looser. A few small adjustments and the addition of some filler pieces on the left side balanced the composition. Yes, there are a handful of extra nail holes behind the frames from fine-tuning positions. They’re out of sight, so we let that go and moved on.
Once the frames were up, we hunted the house for items to display. Many frames were empty or needed rotated images, so we swapped in belongings we already owned—family photos, sketches, an old Banana Republic ad featuring a llama or alpaca, a glued vintage milk cap on canvas, and a simple key shape cut from cardstock. We did splurge on one small Target frame designed to store and rotate kid art easily, because it makes swapping Clara’s latest masterpieces effortless.
The current arrangement is a lively mix of sentimental pieces and eclectic finds. From photostrips and everyday mementos to Clara’s scribbles and funny greeting cards, the gallery wall will evolve. We plan to change at least a portion of the display regularly—new drawings, updated family photos, and little keepsakes will replace older items as they surface. We even intend to photograph the wall every few months to document how it shifts over time.
This hallway used to be purely transitional, but the gallery turned it into a destination. We catch ourselves lingering, drawn to the collective story the frames tell, and Clara loves to stare at it too. We’re so pleased with the result that we plan to wallpaper the other two walls in the hallway with frames as well, creating a continuous, personal exhibit through the entire space.
For practical notes: the project stayed budget-friendly because almost everything displayed was already ours. The only small outlay was that multi-art frame we mentioned. Hanging a gallery like this is approachable, flexible, and a great way to showcase meaningful everyday objects alongside photos and art.
Psst—We announced this week’s giveaway winners. Click here to see if you’re one of them.