Do you have a lot of frames with nowhere to go? You are not alone. Many people love taking pictures and taking the time to mount them, but never hang them. Why waste these perfectly good pictures and artwork? Make a collage wall (affiliate) and see what happens. Photos lined up on the floor or in a closet don't make good artwork. Why not take it out and display it on a wall in a collage framework? Today, I will show you how I created my collections at home.
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Key Takeaways
- Creating a wall collage helps display your artwork and photos instead of hiding them away.
- Choose a theme for your collage to organize your frames effectively, such as family, faith, or travel.
- Arrange frames on the floor first to visualize your layout, and group them in odd numbers like threes or fives.
- Add matching wall decor to enhance your theme and consider varying frame styles for visual interest.
- Purchase frames at yard sales or discount stores to save money, and unify them with spray paint if needed.
Backstory
Several years ago, we were getting molding added to the ceiling in our main living areas. So, I decided to make themed walls. If you want to check out my themed walls, check out my blog post: HOW TO ARRANGE PHOTOS ON A TWO STORY STAIRCASE WALL
When my dad passed, he had purchased many original faith-based artworks for different parts of the world. I inherited only some of them. So, with pictures of my children's confirmations and other faith-based items, I created a faith collage wall (affiliate) in my hallway.
I then built a wall about family. My family wall featured family members near and far, along with special times in their lives. I had pictures of my kids and framed posters of my dad's and mom's favorite things.
In my living room, I had a wall themed around embracing couples. Sorry, I can't think of a better title. It has all the portraits and artwork I have had that show couples embracing. I love those pieces of artwork, so I had plenty of them.
Pro tip: To create your collage-themed wall, gather all the picture frames (affiliate) and choose a theme. Here are some photo collage theme examples to help.
Updated: 2026 Living Room Couples Wall
Here is what the wall looks like now. We installed a picture hanging system. Check out the latest post at HOW TO INSTALL A DIY HOME PICTURE HANGING SYSTEM for more ideas and inspiration on a new hanging system for picture frames (affiliate).
Photo Collage Theme Examples(Updated for 2026)
This year, I updated the list below to include more wall collage themes.
- Faith
- Spiritual
- Family
- Wedding photos of family members
- Places you have visited
- Places you want to visit
- Your Wedding photos
- School year pictures
- Your favorite things like flowers
- Events or achievements you have completed
- Family Vacation
- Once in a Lifetime vacation wall
- Coastal scene or vacation
- Bird-themed wall
- Love-themed wall
- Self-portrait theme wall
- Flower-themed wall
- College days
- Rivers
- Waterfalls
- Friends Wall
- Cousins Wall
- Letters from Loved Ones
- Color theme Wall
A few theme ideas I hadn't included before
Check out these additional theme ideas to help you figure out what your theme wall will look like. These were added in 2026.
- Pet family member wall: share photos of every furry or feathered family member on a wall. You can add the puppy photos and older dog portrait.
- Grandparents and heritage wall: If you are a fan of ancestry, you may want to create a wall that shares the old family photos, black (affiliate)-and-white portraits, and different heirloom pieces. We had some hanging tiles made depicting my dad's hometown in Italy.
- Baby's first year wall: Divide this into monthly milestone photos and group them into a sweet, ever-growing collage.
- Hobby or sports wall: Share team photos, recital pictures, medals, or a framed jersey mixed in with action photos.
- Holiday card wall: If you have several family holiday cards, frame them together and swap them each year as you get updated pictures from distant loved ones.
- Map and travel keepsake wall: Share where you went over the years by creating collages of the different trips.
Arrange the frames and other things on the floor.
Then, arrange them on the floor. Use these on top of your largest bed if you don't have enough room on the floor. I like to use a sticky note, cut out the shape of the picture frame, stick it to the wall, and see how it looks.
Tips for Hanging a Photo Wall Collage
Here are some tips on hanging wall collage themes.
Group by odd numbers
The first tip is to group picture frames (affiliate) in odd numbers like threes, fives, and sevens. Check out Sarah Jacquelyn Interiors, who describes the process. She says our eyes naturally seek balance without symmetry. Odd numbers give us movement and make the collection of frames and objects look more balanced and less staged.
Add wall decor that matches the theme
The next tip is adding objects to help complete the theme wall. I added a cross for my faith wall above. You can use rub-on inspiring words. I found it at Marshall's for only $10.00.
These items don't just need to be attached to the wall; they can also be raised pieces. Below are some ideas for wall decor around pictures (affiliate).
- Wall-mounted vases (affiliate)
- Flowers and leaves - metal, dried, or plaster (affiliate)
- Metal Trees (affiliate)
- 3D inspirational words (affiliate)
- Framed inspirational words.
- Birdhouses (affiliate)
- Small decorative mirrors
- Hearts (affiliate)
- Wire frame decor (affiliate)
Above are Amazon (affiliate) Associate links. If you click through and buy on Amazon (affiliate), I will receive a small commission. Happy Shopping.
Updated 2026: faith and family walls
In my other hanging artwork post, I took pictures of what the wall looks like now. Check them out below.
Place frames closer together
Place frames closer together when usual and see how that looks. Leveling picture frames (affiliate) takes time, and you usually need a laser level to make sure you have a straight line from one frame to another. I prefer to make them completely unlevel, so I don't have to worry about the picture frames (affiliate) lining up.
Stay with a particular color or style.
Uniform frames in one color look nice but aren't necessary. I like to keep the frames similar but not the same. I also have a few textured frames, so they draw attention.
Collages can be any shape
The collage can be any shape you want. If you have stairs, a collage going down the stairs is beautiful. If you have a high wall, you can create a shape like a clock or a heart and use the frames to make it. It doesn't have to be square because you have square frames, or rectangular because you have rectangular frames.
Buy frames secondhand
Frames can be expensive, so go to a yard sale and buy vintage, older picture frames (affiliate). Spray paint them the same color to make them uniform on the wall.
Updated tips and hacks for 2026
I added a few more things to this section that make the whole process faster and easier to manage.
Skip the laser level with a hanging system.
I now use a DIY picture-hanging rail system instead of individual nails, which makes it so much easier to reposition frames as your collage grows. See my full walkthrough here: How to Install a DIY Home Picture Hanging System. This is great for the holidays so I can easily swap out the pictures and collages to create a holiday theme.
Try removable adhesive strips for a renter-friendly version.
If you're not ready to commit to nails or a rail system, heavy-duty removable adhesive strips let you test a layout with zero wall damage.
Preview digitally before you drill.
A quick photo of your blank wall, paired with a free layout app or even a simple photo-editing tool, lets you "place" frames virtually before you ever pick up a hammer.
Mix in one digital frame.
Adding digital picture frames (affiliate) that rotate through extra pictures alongside your static collage is a nice modern touch, especially for a family or grandkids wall that keeps growing. Add one for a small wall collage area. Or two if it is in a larger wall area.
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Add subtle lighting
A slim LED picture light or a warm strip light above the collage makes it feel intentional and gallery-worthy after dark.
Shop secondhand marketplaces, not just yard sales.
Facebook Marketplace, local thrift stores, and estate sale apps have a wonderful selection of options. You will just need to know the size you are looking for to narrow your choices.
Conclusion
I hope this helps you get that framed artwork off the floor, out of the closet, and onto the walls so everyone can enjoy it.
Reminder: We recently painted our main floor and two-story (affiliate) steps, installed a new system, and rearranged our themed walls. Check out the latest post at HOW TO INSTALL A DIY HOME PICTURE HANGING SYSTEM for more ideas and inspiration on a new hanging system for picture frames.
FAQs
There's no minimum; you can start a themed collage with as few as 3 to 5 frames and add on over time. Grouping in odd numbers (three, five, or seven) tends to look the most balanced as your collection grows.
Lay your frames out on the floor (or on a large bed) first to get the spacing right. Then trace each frame's shape onto sticky notes, stick them to the wall in your planned arrangement, and adjust before you hang a single frame.
No, in fact, a mix of similar-but-not-identical frames often looks more interesting than a perfectly matched set. If your frames are wildly different, unify them with a coat of the same spray paint color while keeping a few different textures or shapes.
Check yard sales, estate sales, thrift stores, and online marketplaces for secondhand frames, then spray paint them one uniform color.
Yes, collage walls are one of the best solutions for awkward spaces like stairways, tall walls, or narrow hallways. You can follow the angle of a staircase, build a shape like a heart or a clock, or simply let the frames flow around windows and doors.
Do you have a theme wall? Do you want a themed collage wall (affiliate)? What would your theme be? Please leave a comment below. Visit our other keepsake organization posts for more help!
Please note these are affiliate links through Amazon (affiliate), and at no additional cost to you, I will earn affiliate fees if you decide to make a purchase.
Andi Willis says
Thanks for the tips. This has been on my to-do list for my hallway for at least a year now! Maybe I'll finally tackle it.
Lisa Montanaro says
Love this post! We have a few themed walls with photo collages based on our travels. We have one for France and one for Italy. I love walking past them everyday and being reminded of our vacations and experiences in those places.
Seana Turner says
I love the way you combined structural items and framed images. Putting items together by "theme" is a great way to enjoy them. A friend has put together a wonderful "family hall," with images of many family members over the year. I've greatly enjoyed looking at it and learning about her family.
Janet Barclay says
We have a family wall in our hallway. So far it's our wedding photo, each of our kids' wedding photos, and two photos of each of our grandchildren. We will expand it, but plan to take some down so it doesn't get out of control (which has happened to us in the past).
Mahal Hudson says
Thank you for bringing up more ideas. I was in rush to put up all the frames in my house in preparation of my father's visit from Alaska. To get a positive impression, I need to make sure I have decor in my walls. The funny thing is, my husband and I are the worst in picking matching frames.
But it all worked out, I can see that your suggestions was not too far from what we did. I feel better now.
krystle cook says
Great tips! I'm actually in the middle of doing a wall collage type thing. Mines going to be more of a grid with matching frames 🙂
Meredith @ The Palette Muse says
I have a gallery wall at home in my hallway, with all my family pictures. It's one of my favorite spots in the house! And not a single frame cluttering up my table tops!
Marquita Herald says
Wonderful idea and I only wish I could take advantage of them. I rent and while I love my home and my landlord is the best ever, the one and only rule she is is no hanging of pictures or anything else on the walls. I get around it by stacking and propping my pictures up in various places it it would be nice to do something like this. Thanks for the inspiration!
Pamela Chollet says
I hate hanging pictures because I can never get ehme even. I've tried using a level, but I'm basically DIY impaired. I love your idea about making the frames uneven, it's perfect!
Lenie says
Sabrina, I have been thinking about doing something with all our family pictures that I have sitting on a shelf. Thanks for your suggestions - I'll be sure to I put a few into action.
Jacqueline Gum says
I love theme walls! I have always had a family theme wall somewhere, no matter where I live. It's kind of fun to think I have drug these things through multiple states! They kind of serve as my anchor! Nicely done walls...and some great ideas, too.
Suzanne Fluhr says
We are down sized empty nesters who love to travel. However, I've decreed that the only things we can bring home are refrigerator magnets and photos. As you suggested, we have a wall going down a staircase where we display a series of travel photos. Digital photography and the ability to print photos at home has been a huge game changer in terms of what we do with photographs.
Phoenicia says
I do not have any themed walls but I do like the idea of photographs/pictures arranged on one wall. I have seen some wonderful examples on Pinterest.
Beth Niebuhr says
I love all your ideas for collage walls. I especially appreciate the hints you give to make the projects easily affordable. There's no point in having all frames the same, for example. I really enjoy variety within a theme.
Ken Dowell says
In Philadelphia there is an art museum called the Barnes Foundation. It has works by Picasso, Monet, Matisse, many others. And they are all hung collage style. I guess old man Barnes had some extra Impressionists laying around.
Patricia Weber says
Beautiful Sabrina. We have themed walls for photos too! Who woulda thunk it?! My favorite is our family growth hallway hall. We start with our grandparents on each side and move through a variety of pictures that include our 2 granddaughters. It's the hallway to my office so I get to glow in it every day. Your idea - highly recommended!