Creative Ways to Hang Pictures Without Frames

Pinups

• Forget this idea if you're framing photos for a formal living or dining room, but casual room settings are ideal for installing clothesline using eye-screw hardware at either end of the wall section earmarked for your display. Your images need solid backing to keep them from curling, so glue foam board or plastic sized to fit each image and allow the bond to dry. Paint your clothespins to match accent colors if you so desire and "hang" your family out to dry.

Hangers

• If you've never thought about using metal hangers in place of frames, the time has come. They're cheap and efficient -- particularly for photography that's 16-inches wide, the size of a standard hanger span. To prepare images, mount them on heavy paper or plastic that's twice the height of the photo. Fold the art in half so the back half slides over the hanger. Secure the backs with double-sided tape dots. Add little bows to each hanger if your decorating theme calls for a touch of color. Hanger-frames are perfect for long strips of bare wall that need a touch of personality.

Clipboards

• Imagine this: six clipboards lined up on a wall, each painted a different color that showcases everything from your photographic work to family groupings. Shop the dollar store. Purchase clipboards and paint them in accent colors to match the room you're targeting. Use nails to secure each clipboard to the wall and simply clip on a photo that's been mounted on a heavyweight backing to each. Looking for drama? Fill one entire wall with a grid of clipboards. Switch your images around so you've always got a new display.

Museum Mountings

• You couldn't create a more striking arrangement of frameless photos: follow the lead of museum curators and have your photos professionally mounted on wood or plastic backing. The seamless mount and lamination technique isn't for amateurs so you will need a resource to do the job for you. The process bonds your images and seals it forever. Mounting hardware comes with the service, so all it takes is a nail to mount it to your wall.

Frameless Frames

• They're everywhere: glass and plastic sets that allow you to slide a photo into the midst of the two like a slice of ham nestled between slices of bread. Fasten these units with pins or clips engineered to hold each photo securely. Frameless frames are perfect for the rooms designed by minimalists who strive to eliminate decorating touches that are not absolutely essential.