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How to Store Framed Pictures & Outdated Family Photos.

Do you have old framed photos of various sizes sitting on a shelf in your storage room or hiding in the back of a closet? In this post, I share tips on how to store framed pictures that are outdated and no longer merit a place on your living room wall.

If you are storing old framed pictures somewhere, don’t think you are the only one doing this.

I have found it to be a common occurrence when working with clients to come across these forgotten photos of yesterday, doing nothing more than collecting dust in a dark place somewhere, like the back of a closet or a basement storage room.

They usually hold photos of children or other family members who have long since grown up. These old photos are trapped inside outdated and chipped frames that once sparked joy but have since been replaced by updated pictures and frames. 

There are several reasons these old photos are often left in frames; the first is simply because most of us do not take the time to remove them, and once they get put in a closet or storage area somewhere, they are out of sight and out of mind, and several years may pass before we see them again.

Another reason old photographs stay in frames is that we somehow feel obligated to keep them there because we took the time and care to assemble them in the first place. Finally, these photos often stay framed because it is mistakenly believed that this is the best way to protect these family keepsakes over the long run.

Consider creating a memory wall to display some of your photos.

Before we talk more about how to store these old framed photos, consider whether or not you might want to display some of them. A great way to honor the memories of your family and your past is to get creative and come up with a way to display them.

Why not dedicate a little wall space in your home as a memory wall? I used an old ladder to create a memory wall above our bed in our bedroom. You could also add shelves to a wall and place your favorite photos on them. 

Now let’s discuss what to do with the photos you decide not to display:

For one, don’t store framed photos in your basement or attic. Your attic is likely not temperature-controlled, so the heat and cold will destroy the photos.  Basements are sometimes prone to moisture, which can be dangerous. Old photos left in frames over several years can result in the photo adhering to the glass, especially if it is exposed to any moisture or heat.

Once this happens, the photo becomes impossible to remove without causing severe damage. Then, the only way to avoid ruining the photo is to leave it in the frame forever.

The other obvious problem with leaving photos framed long-term is that they take up a large amount of space in your home, especially if you happen to have a lot of them. Since you likely don’t plan to ever hang them again, they serve no purpose.

Your family’s photos deserve better than to be stuck inside outdated frames and in the back of a closet for eternity.

Take the time to remove them and use the following steps to preserve them:

• • Small photographs should be removed from the frames and stored in acid-free photo-safe boxes or photo albums.
  • Large photos can be stored in envelopes of archival quality. Or you can visit your local photo preservation store.
  • Store photos in a cool, dry area in your home. Avoid non-temperature-controlled environments where moisture and extreme temperatures can cause damage.
  • Acid-free tissue paper can be placed between especially delicate photos for extra protection.
  • Don’t forget to include a written description with dates so that others will know the stories and histories behind each photo. Be sure to use acid-free paper to do this.

You can visit: https://www.archivalmethods.com/blog/preserving-family-photographs/ to get more tips for preserving your family’s valuable photos. It is well worth the small amount of time it takes to remove old photos from their frames and get them safely inserted into one photo-safe box or envelope.

You might also consider placing them in a dedicated photo album or an acid-free memory box. This keeps them safe from damage and makes them easy to look through whenever you want to relive those moments.

Either way, it will be liberating to be able to finally get rid of all those outdated frames taking up space in your storage room or closet.

Repurpose or Donate the Frames

Instead of throwing away the frames, you can give the frames a fresh look with a coat of paint and use them to display a new collection of art or new photos you’ve recently taken.

If you have frames you no longer want, consider donating them to a local thrift store or art center. Many people can’t afford new frames and would be happy to take them off your hands. If the frames are of high quality or have antique value, you could also try selling them online or at a local consignment shop.

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