One Common Framing Mistake That's Making Your Space Feel Chaotic

Frames — whether hung on the wall, propped on a mantelpiece, or displayed on an accent table — can help to make a house feel like a home. DIY gallery walls, in particular, are a decor staple. Framing photos of loved ones and art reflects your personality and gives a room life. That said, a gratuitous amount of frames all displayed together can quickly overwhelm a space. If you've done this, don't worry. Overloading a space with a plethora of picture frames is a common decor mistake that's also easy to avoid. 

When too many frames are arranged on a single wall or surface, it can create a cluttered appearance that you don't want. Being inundated with a deluge of images when you walk into a room will most likely distract you (and guests) from admiring your favorite family pictures and prints. This can also be compounded when the frames you're working with don't complement each other at all. Frames that are drastically different in design — like a thin metal frame and an ornate gold one — will look incohesive and haphazard. Ahead, find tips for how to best display your favorite framed pieces to make a room feel less cluttered.

With regards to frames on surfaces, as previously mentioned, you want to avoid crowding too many together. Not all of your photos need to be displayed in the same spot. Incorporate different framed photos throughout the whole home, placing some on a media stand in the living room or table in the bedroom and others on countertops in the kitchen and bathroom. If you're lacking in surface space, you could try hanging wall shelves or ledges. This allows you to easily switch out the frames as desired. 

Then, of course, there's the ever-trendy gallery wall. Even creating a gallery wall can look chaotic if done without intention, though. To ensure your wall looks fabulous, resist going overboard with the amount of frames you include. Next, consider which frames are coordinating, even if they don't perfectly match. They should also fit within the style of the space. Keep your frames' materials and designs in mind and consider how they will look against the colors of your walls, countertops, hardware, and furniture. 

For instance, stark acrylic frames hanging in a bohemian or mid-century modern-style room are likely to look out of place. Instead, you might incorporate frames featuring wood or gold finishes. Adding a pop of color with a deep red or blue frame could work, too. These styles will also look nice when combined on the same wall. If your decor is more modern, it's best to streamline things for a uniform look. It's hard to go wrong with a classic lineup of all silver or black metal frames in uniform sizes and designs.