Fun Displays That Will Get Your Photos Seen

Your photo book isn’t just any old ordinary book—it’s a precious archival document of your comings and goings and your family history, as well as a chance to show off your photographic eye. So why should your photo books be relegated to a shelf to molder and gather dust?

I’m willing to bet that the majority of albums spend most of their days on a low shelf, and only get a good look through when it’s time to embarrass your oldest with a viewing of their baby photos. But it doesn’t have to be that way! These enticing and clever displays will turn those beautiful albums into a pivotal decor item—and a conversation piece at any dinner party, much to your adolescent children’s chagrin. Here’s how to do it.

Use a Table Easel

One reason photos get overlooked is that they’re not accessible. Most guests don’t feel comfortable trawling through your bookshelves and drawers, but a book placed on a tabletop easel is an invitation to peruse. Book easels can be purchased at craft stores and home goods suppliers. Many include decorative backing and a page stop so you can leave your albums open to a choice selection. They work perfectly on a desk, over the mantel, or even standing on a bookshelf.

Borrow a Few Plate Hangers

You already know a plate hanger can do a bang-up job displaying your great grandmother’s bone china. But did you know they also make the perfect perch for a photo album? If your albums have a spot for a cover photo, they can even be grouped together using multiple plate hangers to form a makeshift gallery wall. Try adding them in trios to avoid overwhelming onlookers.

Lay Them Out Artfully As Coffee Table Props

You’d happily lay out an interesting collection from your favorite photographer, so why not treat your own work with the same reverence? Investing in beautiful, interesting photo books is the key to achieving this look. Custom printed books come with professional layouts that make your photos shine like the work of a true auteur—just be ready for all the compliments you’re going to get!

Skip the Book Altogether

Truly epic photos are often too massive to capture within the boundaries of a page. If your pictures are just too splendid to be restrained, a canvas print of your favorites can help them achieve the viewership they so rightfully deserve. In photograph displays, follow the rules for successful gallery wall collages: look for common colors, themes, or elements in the photos you ultimately select. And don’t be afraid to try unconventional layouts. Use quirky frames and offbeat groupings, or mix in some eye-catching non-photographic pieces like block letters, vintage signs, or even relevant mementos pressed in glass.

By making your photo books an essential part of your home decor, you’ll give your mementos a chance to live again—and a chance to share some of your most precious moments with your houseguests. What could be more welcoming?

Guest post by Erin Vaughan