How to Create a Photo Shelf

Hey Everyone! As Eric and I slowly make our way through our home renovations, I wanted to share a project that we finished a while ago. I really wanted to create a cozy nook behind our Family Room couch, and I thought that a photo shelf wall was a great way to accomplish that. There are definitely some “Do’s” and “Don’t” to a project like this that I wanted to share! I hope they are helpful!

We haven’t hung much on the walls since we moved in mostly because I am still looking for home decor and deciding what I want each room to look like. What I did know was that I wanted a place that I could display some of our Wedding photos. I picked out some of my favorite photos (both black and white and color) and had them printed on Shutterfly (affiliate link here). I also found various sized pictures frames at Home Goods, Marshall’s and Bed, Bath & Beyond. I went with a metallic silver theme, but you can coordinate different metals, colors, textures, etc. to get the look that you want. I made sure that my frames were a variety of sizes, shapes and textures to make the nook a little more interesting.

I also found these great letter and ampersand blocks at TJ Maxx before we moved. I knew I had to have them, but I wasn’t sure where I would put them. Why not the picture nook you ask? That’s exactly what I’m thinking!

We bought these white, floating shelves from Target (found here), but you can find shelves anywhere in various colors, sizes and styles. The key here is to make sure that you hang the bottom shelf atleast 10 to 12 inches above the couch. This will ensure that the shelves look like they are correctly placed and it will also prevent you from hitting your head (ouch) as you plop down on the couch after a long day. Using a level, a ruler and an electric screwdriver, we hung the floating shelves about a foot above the top of the couch.

I then went to work arranging my gathered knick-knacks. In addition to my picture frames and block letters, I added a shell from our last vacation and a deer antler (because hunting decor is totally chic right now)!

This is what I came up with! I made sure to vary the size, shape and texture of the frames on the shelves to give a look that was both balanced and asymmetrical. I also dispersed the block letters and ampersand in a way that looks random, but still makes sense and looks good.

I really just played around with everything until I liked it, which is exactly what you should do.

The great thing about these shelves is that I can change the decor any time by swapping out different photos or changing the accessories all together. For now, we are sticking with the wedding photos and the block letters!! I hope this post was helpful! Good luck with your nooks!