Why Aren't People Using Their Personal Photos To Decorate The Walls In Their Homes?

 

  That's a really good question.  Lately, I've seen this question pop up in a few home decorating groups I follow on social media.  Just a group of people posting photos of their  homes and asking for design advice and yet so many of them seem really upset that family photos have not been included.  Maybe they feel like they will be harshly judged for using their own personal photos as wall decor.  Well, I have a few things to say about.

 

  Just like anyone else I want the home that everyone talks about.  Subconsciously, we all strive for the "Model Home" look.  However, that's not real life, is it?  Real life is messy and personal.  Can you have the best of both worlds?  Yes, you can.  Adding personal photos does not mean you're sacrificing great design.  This is your home and it should reflect you and your family.  It should be what you LOVE.

 

  So how do you achieve great design with the personal touch in regards to your wall decor?  I think there are two ways.

  The first is to create personal photos that are ART.  What does that mean?  Take a look at your photos.  School pictures, studio pictures.  Those are great and I have them too but our photos can show real life and be art at the same time.  Great action shots from your vacation, funny shots of cake all over your child's face from a birthday party, that first dance at your wedding when you got dipped at the end of a song.  These are the shots that show the art of your life.  Imagine combining those with a great painted canvas to tell a story.

 

  This leads me to the second way to get great design and a personal touch: combining these shots with art.  So, what is art?  Well, that's really up to you.  Art is personal and art is what you love.  Find pieces that not only reflect your design style but create the feeling that you want others to have in your space.  Create warmth with color and scenes from nature.  Achieve a sleek style with abstract pieces that create movement and guide your eyes around the room.

 Do you know what else is art?  Your child's drawings and masterpieces from school.  Of course this is the art you want in your space!  What a great compliment to those personal photos on your gallery wall.

To really make an impact in your space make sure to use frames and mattes that fit the design style of your space.  

 

So to answer the question above: Why Aren't People Using Their Personal Photos To Decorate The Walls In Their Homes?

Your home is your space and should reflect you, no matter what that is.  It could be all art, it could be all personal phots and it could be all of the above.

See attachment below for frames you might like!