Did you know that framed photos are not only beautiful, but they’re important for your children’s self-confidence? Child development experts suggest that seeing family photos on the wall every day promotes greater self-esteem, attachment to the family unit, and reminds them that they are loved and valued.

Even though most of us would love to have beautiful wall galleries, we don’t know where to begin. If you’re staring at a home full of empty walls, these are the top seven places to hang your family photos to enjoy them every day.

1. The first place you see when you walk in the door.

Imagine walking in after a long day of work, throwing down your keys, and the first thing you see is a beautiful portrait of your family. Instantly the stress of the day melts away as you remember why you work so hard. A portrait in the first place you see when you come home sets the tone for everyone as they enter the door, and is a constant reminder of all of the best things about your family.

2. A frequently traveled hallway.

One of the first questions I ask when determining where to place a portrait is whether you’d like to see your photos in a public space or a private one. Many of my clients who would rather put their family photos in a more private space opt for a frequently traveled hallway that they’ll see regularly throughout their day. Common options are a hallway outside the nursery and upstairs landing spaces.

3. A small nook.

If you’re not ready for a full gallery wall, a small nook is the perfect place for your starter gallery. All houses have little walls that are perfect for a single image or a stacked design, and it’s a great way to bring a smile to your face in an unexpected area of your home.

4. The nursery.

If you’re planning a gallery that highlights your baby’s milestones, the nursery is a wonderful place to put it. We love framing one 3 month, 6 month, 9 month, and first birthday photo over the changing table or crib to highlight how much she has grown over the course of the year.

5. Your living room.

If you’d like your portraits in a public area of your home, the living room is a great choice. We regularly work with clients to design wall galleries that fit exactly the dimensions of their living room, creating a custom feel and a cozy, lived in look.

6. The playroom.

Kids (and parents!) spend a lot of time in the playroom, and it’s fun for children to be able to enjoy photos of their family in the places they spend the most time. Playrooms are a great spot for individuals of the kids, sibling photos, and playful portraits with their parents or the whole family.

7. Your staircase.

This is often an awkward area of the home with hard to decorate angles and shapes. We regularly design stairwells for clients who aren’t sure how to tackle this challenging area of the home, and it’s the perfect place to build a story wall that grows with your family over the years.

Would you love to be surrounded by artwork of your family, but overwhelmed with the idea of figuring out how to make that happen?

Whether you don’t have the design expertise or are simply too busy, I help moms finally create galleries they’re obsessed with to make their house feel a bit more like home.