Photos

• One of the most common ways to decorate is with photographs. You can use ones you took yourself; black and white photos are a sophisticated way to display your talents. They become conversation pieces when you have family or guests over. For instance, if guests ask about a photo, you can tell them where you were when it was taken, relaying all your adventures. If you're not a professional photographer, don't worry: your photos don't have to be perfect. They just need to be meaningful to you.
  
  

Nature

• Pictures of nature scenes, such as mountains, plains, and even animals can be soothing and remind you of the world outside. They are ideal to use in children's rooms as kids are often drawn to animals and the outdoors. Ask your children to pick their favorite animal or outdoor place (such as the beach), and use pictures of these to create a decorating theme for their room.
  
  

Family

• If photos of strangers or vacation spots aren't your taste, family pictures are one of the most common items to display in a home or office. Include a few with yourself in the frame as well to remind you of good times. If you have kids, create a timeline in pictures showing them at different stages of growth. You can put progressions along the wall, watching them go from baby to toddler all the way to adult.
  
  

Focal Points

• Try using one large picture or piece of art to create a focal point for the room. Common spots include over a couch, fireplace or dining room table. But don't be afraid to put large pieces wherever you want people to look. If you have a large wall, where several bigger pieces would seem overwhelming, put the largest piece in the middle and smaller pieces around it.
  
  

Groupings

• Smaller pictures that would look tiny on a large wall can still be used there in groups. Place an odd (never an even) number of smaller pictures on a large wall. Arrange them on the floor or a table before hanging them, so you can see if you like the way they look.