How to Decorate a Wall With Black-and-White Pictures

Frame your photos in plain, solid frames in black, silver or other dark colors. Keep the frames simple and not too large so the pictures are not overwhelmed. If you use picture mats, keep them neutral and not more than 1-to-2 inches larger than your photos.

Choose a large wall so that you can fill it with multiple pictures in different sizes and shapes to provide interest.

Find the center of the area where you will be hanging the pictures. Mark the spot with a small pencil dot or strip of tape. Arrange photos around this spot. Aim for the center of your photo grouping to be at your eye level, with some pictures slightly higher and some slightly lower.

Lay your photos out on the floor before you attempt to hang them to get a feel for your arrangement. Group smaller pictures around larger and vary the height of the frames.

Space photos 1-to-3 inches apart. Keep the spacing even between pictures. If pictures will be above a couch, position them so the bottom frames are 3-to-6 inches over the couch's back.

Start with the picture that will be closest to the center of your arrangement and hammer a nail or picture hanger into the wall in the appropriate place. Remember to allow for the space between the top of the frame and the hanging bracket when centering your nail.

Hang the rest of your pictures, working your way out from the center. Stop after each photo is hung and step back to look at the arrangement from across the room. Make any adjustments before hanging the next picture.