Think Outside the Frame: 6 Clever Ways to Display Pictures

So, you’re all moved in. The walls are the perfect shade and your favourite lamp is finally out of the box. As you stare at the blank walls, you can’t help but feel something’s missing…

Art and pictures can do wonders in adding personality to a home. Whether your collection includes photos, paintings, tapestries, or prints; conventional frames can be quite a snooze-fest.

Luckily, there are plenty of lesser-known alternatives to framing that both look great and won’t break the bank.

SOURCE: designsponge.com

Perfect for:

• Lightweight art or photo of any size.
• Tenants of rented properties.

If you’ve never heard of washi tape, your life’s about to change. Originally from Japan, this is patterned tape you can purchase in an infinite variety of colours and patterns.

Simply secure your artwork to the wall and get taping! There’s no end to the designs and shapes you can create with these bright beauties. It’s gentle to walls, so you can keep trying until you’re happy with the result.

SOURCE: Pinterest user Laura Beth Love

Perfect for:

• Artwork smaller than A4
• Drawings
• Prints
• Calligraphy
• Memorabilia (e.g. tickets and concert flyers)

Clipboards come in all shapes, forms, and materials – best of all, they’re cheap and easy so you can update your walls in seconds.

Mount some thin nails on the wall and voila! Instant hipster. We think they look especially great against lighter backgrounds.

SOURCE: byfryd.com

Perfect for:

• Pieces of any size that have a relatively stiff backing (Otherwise, we recommend mounting them).
• Skirt/pant hangers are great for holding up larger pieces of paper. Just be sure the material is rigid enough so that the clips don’t cause any buckling.
• Wire coat hangers work a treat on smaller pieces. Use pliers to open and shape them into a rough rectangle ‘frame’. No need to be neat – this look is all about rustic charm.

SOURCE: lonny.com

Perfect for:

• Heavy, oddly shaped pieces.
• Tenants of rented properties.

This is a great option for large and oddly-shaped art pieces that you would like to use as a centerpiece for a room. No nails required and perfect for heavier items.

SOURCE: lights4fun.co.uk

Perfect for:

• Displaying multiple small images like photographs.

Purchase some wooden clothes pegs (regular or miniature ones work) and pick your ‘laundry line’. This could be twine, magnetic rope, or – our personal favourite – fairy lights. Ooh, twinkly.

SOURCE: abeautifulmess.com

Perfect for:

• Tapestries
• Long portrait paintings

If you have the time and patience, you can make the stunning wooden poster hanger like the above by following this tutorial here.

Otherwise, it’s easy enough to find wooden dowel attachments online that you can secure to the top and bottom of your artwork to create a hanging masterpiece that’s positively gallery-worthy.

And there you have it! You’ll never look at another frame again.