Photographs are the best way to capture precious moments in our lives. And nowadays with digital cameras, it’s so easy for everyone to point and shoot like a pro!

What tends to happen, though, is that picture frames start taking over the coffee table, end tables and any surface around the house as a result. The solution? Design a gallery wall to display them beautifully and complement the décor of your home!

I find that two of the biggest mistakes a homeowner makes is having mismatched frames and randomly hanging photos on all the walls throughout the house. Instead, group the photographs on one wall—maybe in the family room or a hallway—and in combination with the frames, incorporate decorative ledges and shadow boxes to create a three-dimensional effect. Remember, not all the frames have to be hung directly on the wall. Display them on the ledge, leaning against the wall and even overlap some of them in different sizes for more visual interest.

For a modern setting, I like to create the illusion of a mat by painting a larger “frame” behind the grouping in a contrasting color to highlight the beautiful collage of memories. Can be as bold or as neutral as you wish, but the idea is to make a statement in the room. Also, keep in mind that the symmetry and balance of the collection are just as important as the images you choose, so my advice is to start in the center with a focal point (i.e. larger frame) and then work your way out toward the sides as you keep adding more frames to your gallery wall.

The saying goes that a picture can tell a thousand words; and how you display them will say a lot about your home and style.