How to pick the right vintage frames for a nostalgic tabletop photo gallery

Thrifting vintage frames is a great, budget-friendly way to create a nostalgic gallery!

Many of us have a gallery wall in our home. What about a tabletop gallery? Set aside a space in your home for a collection of tabletop frames. This post from the designer brand Chris Loves Julia inspired us, so we asked an expert of our own how to pull it off on a budget. Expert thrifter Laurel Harry shared how to pick thrifted frames that work together.

Thrifting Frames

The foundation of a tabletop gallery is a cohesive collection of frames. Laurel recommended looking at Deseret Industries, estate sales or even yard sales. It's best to go earlier in the day and during the week. She said to shop often since inventory rotates quickly and the best items are picked up early on. She also said instead of going in to your thrift adventure with a strict plan, stay open to what you find. She lets the thrift store inspire her. Pick up frames that catch your eye, even if they don't perfectly match your collection. Variety makes a tabletop gallery more visually interesting. The mix is part of the charm. Laurel also said she likes a different variety of sizes and materials like metallics and wood tones. She suggested treating metallic finishes as neutrals and combining them with wood or painted frames for balance. Even with different materials, staying in the same color family helps everything feel like it goes together. Stick to a few tones like brass, wood, black or white so the arrangement feels curated rather than cluttered. Laurel likes to lean a little bit neutral to keep the display cohesive.

Filling Your Frames

You don't need expensive artwork to elevate a tabletop gallery. Laurel even framed one of the dollar cards from Trader Joe's, saying it looks just like a print you'd buy in a high-end shop. Ideas for framing

• Greeting cards
• Printable art
• Postcards
• Simple sketches

Adding old and new photos of your family personalizes your gallery. Laurel said she likes a mix of black and white, but color photos still fit in nicely.

Arranging & Layering

Place your frames close together on a table, shelf or console. Overlap them slightly or lean them to add depth. Laurel said to start with a few pieces and build your collection over time. Your display can evolve as you find new items. She also said not to forget smaller frames. They add charm and help fill in gaps in your layout.

Find more inspiration from Laurel on Instagram, @thehousethatdiybuilt.

This story was adapted from a TV broadcast script using artificial intelligence. Every story, including those adapted with AI, is reviewed by a human editor before publication to ensure that KSL's editorial standards are upheld.