How about framing the photos in white frames to match the walls? Maybe in a couple of large multi-opening frames (one large frame that holds many smaller photos)??

Gorgeous floor!!! Not sure that I would want to cover it at all -- but I guess that would depend on the noise level(s) created in the area ....

On the other hand -- runners can add lots of color and patterns too .....I do love rugs of all sorts -- so I'd have a hard time deciding on whether or not to use them ....

Jan at Rosemary Cottage

I have no problem with using black frames.

You might consider using both side walls for groupings of 5, but not hang pictures directly across from each other. I also would vary the heights a little bit so the frames are not all lined up in a precise row.

We have a very, very long hallway into the garage. I'm not sure but maybe 36' - 40' long. Anyway, I found a long runner online that could be cut to the needed length and we've placed it in the hallway. I'm happier with that rather than 2 shorter ones.

teacats-the wall may not stay white...but it will never be a dark color, so maybe white frames would work. Or maybe silver? And maybe only skinny frames?

I love the floors also. What you need to know is...I have these floors throughout my dining/living room. For some reason, the flagstone in the hall is WAY bumpier...not installed at the same time as the flagstone in the DR/LR. It is not comfortable to walk on. I do think that the runners should perhaps be a solid color...rather than a pattern, so as not to compete with the "busy" floor?

I posted a pic of the floors. This is where the hall starts...and looking towards the front door...

monablair-I would absolutely place the pictures at varying heights. I would want it to be a place for 8x10s, 5x7s, collages, small pictures etc...all to be placed strategically together. Some high, some low, wtc.

I have seen where you can get a runner cut to a specific length. Not sure why I thought two runners might seem more "homier" plus be more manageable, but I am definitely open to the idea of one long runner.

I did consider also putting pictures on the left side of the wall...then the right, then finishing with the left. But the wall to the right is one huge expanse of wall so I went back to thinking I should just put ALLLLL the picts there. Not sure why, just gut instinct but I readily admit my "gut instinct" has led me astray many times, so I am grateful to have this forum to get ideas from!

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

Some ideas for you from houzz:

[contemporary hall design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-hallway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_743~s_2103) by other metros interior designer Veranda Interiors

[contemporary hall design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-hallway-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_743~s_2103) by other metros architect Frederick + Frederick Architects

Did you try the Gallery? The Foyers and Hallways thread has tons of scrumptious hallway photos to inspire you and answer the question "how do I decorate my hallway?" Pour yourself a glass of wine and enjoy!

Here is a link that might be useful: Foyers and Hallways

I have a hallway done with many many family photos. I did not put frames but had each photo laminated on wood.

I'm glad you posted this because I'm thinking of how to do the same thing in my long, narrow hallway. I was planning on doing something similar to the photo posted by pps, as far as using black and white photos with black frames and white mats. You could use a thinner black frame with a wider mat or vary the size and scale of the frames in the groupings.

I love the stone floors and wouldn't want to cover them but if they're uncomfortable then maybe use 1 long runner instead of 2, so it doesn't look too busy.

Did you ever decide on crown molding? I was unsure of whether we should install it in our ranch but now that we did I really like the added detail. The only room we didn't use crown in was the great room because it has a cathedral ceiling.

What rooms come off of this hallway? I am asking, because you want to consider who is really going to see the pix, or stop and look at them, and whether that is worth the expense and work.

If yes, I would not use heavy frames, but perhaps the very shallow, thin ones, not in black but in a warmer wood tone to compliment the floor (which is lovely!).

I would change out the overhead lighting to some kind of track lighting, so that you can play with the light in the hallway and create washes of light down the walls. Put them on dimmers as well.

As for your idea of runners, I think that could be nice, but you might have trouble finding them narrow enough so that they don�t cover too much of the stone floor - the hall does seem very narrow, but it may just be the perspective in the photo. Anyway, I would look for two or three runners, rather than one long one, which will create a runway effect. A little open floor space between each runner will avoid that, and also visually widen the space. I would also look for rugs that have a horizontal stripe, which will again fool the eye into thinking that the hall is wider than it is.

Thanks again, everyone!

les-yes, see, that is what I was thinking...that maybe two runners might actually look BETTER for some reason, but I wasn't sure why. You summed it up perfectly.

The one and only guest bath is at the end of the hall on the right. Right past that is a slight turn in the hall, and it leads to our master bedroom. So absolutely, people will have an opportunity to see the pics when going to the bathroom. Again, because the hall is so narrow...no one will be able to "step back" and absorb the pics. This is what I am trying to keep in mind. Maybe I should only do 4x6 and larger? Or maybe that doesn't matter?

ABSOLUTELY we will do track lighting down the hall. I should have mentioned that. Something like the second pic PPS posted, I am thinking. And yes, we are HUGE BELIEVERS in dimmers.

I forget the measurments of the hall...I know my DH said it would not fit the code today because a wheelchair would not fit down it. I did measure it recently, and it was just 2 or 3 inches narrower than my friend's hallway and she lives in a new build.

judd-Oh, could you post pics? Are your ceilings 8 ft also? I am kind of leaning towards NO...I am just thinking of every Florida ranch home I have been in in my life (which is A LOTI know I won't do only B&W photos...I will do a mix of both. I even considered mixing up the frames crazily...some silver, some wood, some black, etc. But I guess that's nuts, huh? :) I do want them to be high and low, some small, some big...I do not want them in a row or all in the same size frame, that's for sure.

lyban-I cannot even imagine that...can you PLEASE post a pic? Sounds like what I might want in this house!

PPS-Isn't Houzz amazing? Thank you for those pics. My hallway is so much more closed in and narrow than those pictured. But at least I could see the black fames on a long wall, and I do like them...although like les said, now I am thinking wood frames might compliment my floor better. Love the track lghting, that's what we have planned, nice to visualize it. I am showing that pic to my DH!

oceanna-Thank you for sharing that link, and putting it together! Funny, I am kind of obsessed with halls and entries. I go to Houzz and look at them all the time. Yet I have never looked at them on the gallery side. There are some great ideas on there...so thank you! Oh, and it went really well my my chardonnay! :)

Sorry, I know it is not really necessary, but I love sharing pictures of my home. This pic was taken from my master bedroom doorway. The guest bath doorway is directly across from my wedding pic (which may or may not stay there.) There are no baseboards up in this pic. The gaps at the end of the hall on the floor...there is wood in them now...the same wood that is on the floor in the kitchen/family room It really ties the two rooms together and is a nice touch. There was wood in there before, but we removed it to match it to our FR/kitchen.

Anyway, I was thinking of doing ALLLL the pics on the one wall to the left in this pic...the one BIG wall. Although, like someone suggested...maybe I should do 3 groupings...on the right, then left, then right again?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

I do have 8' ceilings except in the foyer and great room. I'll post some pictures tomorrow when there's more light.

thanks judd...looking forward to it!

My feeling is that because the hallway is so narrow, a mix of different size frames, including larger collage frames, is going to make it seem a bit claustrophobic, a bit too much, a bit of a jumble. I think a mix of a lot of frame sizes is much better suited to a large wall display you can appreciate from a distance. My reasoning for this is that people are walking up and down that hallway; you want them to just get a quick glimpse of the photos, and that's so much easier, say, in an arrangement like the first photo PPS has posted.

I don't think you need to fill a lot of space on the wall just because the space is there. With a narrow hallway like that, I like to have some "breathing space" without too much visual clutter seeming to come at me.

Here's an idea: I would use either frames in a wood tone to match the floors or a metallic (silvertone, if you like that). I would use just 2 sizes of frames. Say your largest photo is 8.5x11 -- I would buy several of whatever size frame works with that once you add a mat. Then I'd get some frames that are one size down. Once you have 2 distinct frame sizes, any photo will work with them if you use either the mats that are standard for them or have some cut (or you can cut your own). Or you can put some photos in the frames without using a mat.

Then I'd do an alternating arrangement with the 2 sizes of frames, but on the same horizontal plane, either one line or two, with the frames' centers holding to an "imaginary" horizontal line across the wall.

Martha Stewart showed this kind of layout in one of the magazines. I'll link to her version online (tho she uses just one size frame). In this photo, she's also used just 5 frames, because it's a small area. I think you could make a nice professional-gallery impact running the frames down the entire right-side wall, but I also think that the beauty of photo arrangements hinges on knowing how to edit things down, choosing the best photos that really speak to you, that make you smile.

There's also a Martha Stewart photo gallery I recall where the frames were actually butted up against each other--there was no space between them. Kind of interesting.

Here is a link that might be useful: all-in-a-row photo gallery

ahhhh, I do like that second one! I understand your point...like...no one is going to really see any pictures that aren't somewhat eye level, are they? I am going to consider the second link...although I do like the idea of the one row as it does seem "art gallery-ish." Hmmm...something to ponder. Thanks!

The second link emphasizes the long horizontal line very strongly! I think it would make your hallway seem longer and narrower.

The first martha link is much more soothing. My suggestion would be to use 3 runners and organize a soft looking group of photos as in that link, and align each of the groupings so they begin and end where the runners do. You would want to have a decent sized gap between each runner--maybe ~10-12 inches? That kind of photo arrangement would double-up on the effect you and les described as the (very good!) reason for avoiding one long runner.

I suggest 3 runners/3 photo groupings because it will seem more intentional than just cutting the hallway in half with 2 runners, and because of the oft-quoted advice to decorate in groups of 3s.

dirtymartini,

I just saw the post now where you ask for my photo of laminates.
Here it is, but realize that this is all family and friends pictures and in a hallway going from kitchen to mudroom.
It gets the most attention in my house from guests because everyone wants to look at the mix of photos.
{{!gwi}}

Wow, Still lynski...you make a great point too!

BTW-This is why I am awful on a jury. As the prosecution speaks, i am thinking "Fry the ba$tard!" Then the defense gets up and I think "OMG, this poor defendant has been framed!" If I hear good points and reasons, I can be easily swayed. Everyone here has made a GREAT point. I guess I have a lot to digest and think about.

I love this forum because I have quickly learned my gut instinct/first choice is not always the correct way. Before the internet and forums like this I also learned my gut/first choice was wrong, but only through trial and error. This forum saves me from making the mistakes with my time and my money.

anyway, Still lynski...you make a great suggestion about the groups, and also the "group in 3" rule. But I don't want it to look too contrived. Also, toward the end of the hall, I would need a runner (the 3rd/last runner) but there are a bunch of doors at the end of the hall...my master and guest bath on the right, and DD's room, guest room on the left. So, there would be no place to put pics down there.

ahhh, so much to think about!

lyban-WOW! see...I know that *I* love to look at family photos in someone's home. I can totally see why people would want to look at the walls of your hall! Ok, now tell me, and explain very slowly....how did you laminate on wood? I am not a crafty type of girl. Is this easy to do? Did you do it for any reason...as opposed to just framing?

I am enjoying this thread and all the help. Thank you again...this is great fun for me!

dirtymartini,
I did not do the laminate myself. Most photo shops do laminating for you. I know costco does it. I started out laminating years ago because it is quite economical compared to frames and mats. My photos range from my wedding photos 45 years ago and many family shots of special outings over the years. It is just a piece of mdf that they somehow laminate the photo on. You can then wipe down the photo every once in a while with a damp cloth. I chose always a black edge for the sides.
I have also done small newspaper articles when someone in the family was featured in the newspaper.

just saw your message on the other artwork post!!!! You got some GREAT advice here. So whats the plan? Love the pics of your home. The floors are beautiful, and I really like the wall color. I know you said you wanted to paint, but I am into light creamy walls these days!! What is the paint color?

thanks!

Thank you lyban! Is that affordable...to laminate? I like the simple look of it.

homebody-yes, I did get some great advice! I am not sure what my plan is yet...just digesting all the suggestions! I will ask my DH what the paint color is...I forget, but it is a simple sandy white. I do crave color, I must admit...but don't want wall color to compete with the floors, so maybe the sandy white will stay! Our master bedroom is similar to your olive walls...maybe a tad bit darker with a browner undertone. i love that color! It is too strong for the rest of the house...so we are stumped as to what to paint the walls (if anything!)

Below is a picture of my family wall in the sitting room. All different kinds of frames. People actually stop and put their nose to the smaller pictures while looking at them. lol So I think it's fine to use small pictures along with larger one's in various types of frames.

IMO, it's the way the grouping is hung on the wall, not the type of frames.

I still have more pictures to hang...I try to use mostly old pictures. I have another area where newer pictures are hung.

MONA!! (had to get your attention. lol) Would you pretty please show us a picture of your long hallway? I love your house and can't wait to see it! :)

This first picture is a small quilt I made and it's hanging in my hallway. You could always hang textiles on the wall with the pictures if you want to break up the area.

The lighting in the picture is awful, but it's a combination of ornate silver to wood frames.

oakleyok- your picture grouping above the sideboard is just beautiful!

oakley-That is beautiful! I did consider breaking up the groupings with things, but haven't decided what "things." LOL. I would want them to be meaningful, as the quilt you made yourself is.

I LOVE you different frames and different size pictures. I think the main issue here is the hall being so SKINNY...whereas your pic display can be enjoyed from afar or up close. No one will get the "impact" of different frames or sizes, I am afraid. Although maybe I am wrong.

I am going to make a decision soon because we are at a halt in our renovation due to budget, so I want a project that is relatively inexpensive!

I really like the Martha Stewart related set, and the Houzz photo arrangement. Having a center line level and two rows of photos either side of the vacant band is quite lovely. It draws the eye along nicely.

I would think that two sorts of arrangements would work in your hallway. The side without the doors is the one for the long rows. And then for some larger singlularly mounted photos which are more special, they could be mounted alone between each wall broken by the doorframes. And the black gallery frames in a minimum width is a winner. Having large matting is fine too. It will lighten up the tracery of black.

pammyfay...how would the pictures be attached to the wall?