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Cold Spring Harbor Today
By the People, for the People
Designers Reveal Where You Should Never Hang Family Photos
Experts share tips on how to tastefully display cherished memories in your home.
Apr. 13, 2026 at 10:30pm
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Thoughtfully displayed family photos can add a personal touch to a home's decor without overwhelming the space.Cold Spring Harbor TodayInterior designers offer advice on the best and worst places to hang family photos in your home. They recommend avoiding public spaces like living rooms, foyers, and dining rooms, as well as functional areas like bathrooms and kitchens. Instead, they suggest displaying photos in more personal spaces like hallways, home offices, and bedrooms (excluding the primary bedroom). Designers also caution against going overboard with too many photos, as an excess can detract from the overall decor. The key is to strike a balance between personal mementos and cohesive design.
Why it matters
Displaying family photos can add warmth and character to a home, but if done incorrectly, they can also overwhelm a space and disrupt the overall aesthetic. By following designer-approved guidelines, homeowners can showcase their cherished memories in a way that enhances their living environment.
The details
Interior designers recommend using framed family photos sparingly throughout the home, reserving them for more personal spaces like hallways, home offices, and secondary bedrooms. They advise against hanging photos in public areas like living rooms, foyers, and dining rooms, as well as functional spaces like bathrooms and kitchens. Bathrooms and kitchens can also damage photos over time due to humidity, heat, and food splatters. Designers also caution against going overboard with too many photos, as an excess can detract from the overall decor. The key is to create a curated, cohesive look by mixing photos with other types of decor.
- The article was published on April 13, 2026.
The players
Liz Caan
A Boston-based interior designer who recommends using family photos sparingly and keeping them in more personal spaces.
Julia Marcum
The co-founder of the design and renovation blog Chris Loves Julia, who advises against displaying family photos in the primary bedroom.
Jason Saft
The founder of Staged To Sell Home, an interior design firm, who avoids placing family photos in bathrooms.
Danielle Chiprut
An interior designer at Danielle Rose Design Co. who cautions that high humidity, heat, and food splatters in kitchens and bathrooms can damage photos over time.
Amal Kapen
An interior designer in Cold Spring Harbor, New York, who prefers to display family photos in small frames on side tables, nightstands, and bookshelves rather than hanging them on walls.
What they’re saying
“I tend not to hang family photos in public spaces like living rooms, foyers, or dining rooms. I think family photos are personal and should remain in more personal spaces.”
— Liz Caan, Interior Designer
“I love my kids, and I love photos of my kids. But if you're trying to create a serene retreat, the bedroom is not the place for displaying a collection of your child's portraits. These are instant mood-killers for any romance or relaxation. Plus, it's nice to have a little break sometimes, am I right?”
— Julia Marcum, Co-Founder, Chris Loves Julia
“There is something about the idea of being watched by a family member in a private space like that. I love displaying family photos in high-traffic areas where people gather and can appreciate the images.”
— Jason Saft, Founder, Staged To Sell Home
“I consider family photos as personal and not decorative—something cherished that can be held closely and moved around.”
— Amal Kapen, Interior Designer
“Avoid hanging any photos that may be seen as intimate, revealing, or provocative in places in the home that may welcome people outside the family.”
— Myka Meier, Etiquette Expert, Beaumont Etiquette
The takeaway
By following designer-approved guidelines for displaying family photos, homeowners can strike a balance between showcasing cherished memories and maintaining a cohesive, stylish living environment. The key is to be selective about where and how many photos are displayed, avoiding public spaces and functional areas in favor of more personal, curated settings.
