Problem, Meet Solution

So I have a small problem. In my living room, there is a large wall that runs almost the length of the entire room. On one end is a double doorway from the foyer. On the other, a single doorway to a small hallway that leads to the kitchen. So this wall also functions as a sort of hallway and has no furniture along it. The front half of the room is a living room, the back half a dining room - and this wall spans both. I love symmetry and the center of this wall is the line between the two rooms, so it makes zero sense to hang one big piece there. To further complicate the problem, there is a light switch on each end, two outlets and a phone jack along the bottom, a thermostat at eye level, and an ENORMOUS air return left of center. Instead of fighting the various white and off-white rectangles, I decided to make a collage of white-framed family photos. It's hard to get such a large wall in one picture, but hopefully you get the idea.

I bought these frames at Hobby Lobby and Joann's when they had frames 50% off. The height draws your eye up and away from the hideous air return (what designer put that there?) and camouflages the thermostat. 

If you try this yourself, add texture by getting different style frames. Some smooth, some beveled, one or two more intricate with some sort of carved pattern. Use a variety of sizes to keep it interesting. Large prints can be purchased at a specialty photo store for really high quality, but if you are trying to save cash, Costco prints cheaper than anyone I've found.  If you know of quality prints for less, feel free to post your tip

For this project, I think mat-less is the way to go, but you could add mats if you just liked the style. If you want a punch of color, try black and white photos in black frames with a bright mat. Yellow, aqua, red, lime... the list goes on. Pick a color that compliments your room and do every picture the same. That way, even though the frames are different, there's still cohesion. 

When choosing photos, try to go with larger, less busy pictures. It makes it easier for people to see without having to get right on top of it, and it makes a stronger statement.

Want even cheaper? Buy cheap frames at Goodwill or your favorite thrift store and spray paint them all to match. The possibilities are endless.

.