I am old fashioned and don't display photographs of my children or family on my walls. I wonder a lot about how this prohibition came to be. Back in the olden days, didn't people of means hang portraits of their family on their walls?

I will say from personal experience, I think it can look a bit conceited to adorn your walls with pictures of your offspring (how I came to this is a long story- the short version is a photographer printed a picture of my family and had it transferred to a canvas and displayed it at he house when selling her services- and to my eyes, if I were displaying that picture on my wall, it would have looked incredibly conceited.)

So all this to say, I like family photographs displayed in frames on side tables and shelves and such.

I would say in frames on tables and such, but not so much on the walls of the LR and DR.

People have very strong feelings about this subject on both sides.

Some people think that prominent family photos oblige guests to comment.

Then there are the "it's your house, do what you want" contingent.

I don't mind a few family photos as long as they aren't a focal point in the room. The main issue I have with family photos is they often aren't displayed properly. Crooked gallery walls, cheap frames and unattractive arrangements seem to be the rule rather than the exception.

Rita - If you saw my home you would think I was the most egotistical person on earth if family photos on the wall are the indicator. I just counted 13 family photos on the wall in my living room. None on side tables or shelves. AND they are all of one child..... I mean dh and I are in the photos too but we are certainly not the star of the show. I have a gallery wall that has 8, another that has 3, and then there are 2 other ones scattered. Maybe I should rethink my wall decor?? LOL! But in my defense, my frames are not crooked as Dgw mentioned above. Im not so sure about the other part (cheap frames, unattractive arrangements), but they are not crooked. ;-)

Ha! Friday, you know I love the pictures I have seen of your house. As I said, I would have felt it looked conceited with respect to me and my family. I have never thought that seeing other people's children and family on their walls.

ETA Your walls are pretty artistic in general. There is a mix of things on them that in and of itself is very beautiful.

Rita I'm just giving you a hard time! But there really are 13 family photos on the walls, even in the photos you saw.

If you want to keep them to yourself, then do so. But if you want to see them all around the house, then put them all around the house. Personally, I like candid photos, not portraits, but that's a personal aesthetic. Essentially, though, I believe you should decorate your home for you, not for your guests.

I agree with both Toronto Veterinarian and iheartsix.

When you have your home on the market for sale, that is different. Then the family photos need to be put away so buyer's aren't distracted when showing your home.

However, when your home is not on the market, display those photos! Make your home for you to enjoy. Personally, I like seeing family photos a lot better than staged coffee tables or staged wall units! JMO

In general, I don't like family photographs on the wall - they're better displayed table top. The multi-window collage type of frame are the worst offenders on the wall-hung family photos. A few in nice black 8x10 frames in a hallway are fine though.

Display what you love and brings joy into your life :)

I display mine on long window table.

One frame is digital and the pic is constantly changing.

I love, love, love looking at them.

It's the best art in the world for me.