Having a collage wall with photo tiles is a unique and modern way to display your cherished memories. Having photo tiles displayed at your home has become a trend lately to interior designers, because having such personalized items on your wall makes it unique to the living space.
Doesn’t matter if you are Pro at DIY or first timer looking to try your hand at new project photo tile collage ideas can make any blank wall eye catching and focal point in the room. By reading this article made by MySmileTiles you will understand every step of the process from planning, preparing and maintaining photo tiles.
Planning Your Collage Wall
Before creating a photo tile wall collage, it is necessary to understand how to create an ideal personalized collage wall. By considering the space and material you can create a perfect collage wall décor, which is going to turn into a highlight of the room.
Right Wall Space
Place for collage wall with photo is a crucial part of the process, which is going to ensure that photo tiles have maximum visual impact on the room. Try to select the wall that is the center of the room or a spot where it can easily catch an eye. Places like above the sofa, along a staircase or in a hallway are perfect spots to consider placing such photo tiles. Also you need to keep in mind the space photo tiles are going to take.
The size of the wall will also influence how large or small photo tile collage is going to be. If you are working with little space, you need to choose a more compact design with fewer tiles, while a larger wall can handle a much more impressive display.
Photo Tiles for Your Style
Main selling point of the collage wall with photo tiles is its ability to have your own design and style which is going to reflect your personal aesthetic. Photo tiles come in different sizes, finishes and materials which gives a person capability to choose best fit for your space. If you are trying to create a more modern look choose sleek, matte photo tiles. But if you are trying to have an old rustic feel to the space try having wood finish on the photo tiles.
When planning a collage of photo tiles try to mix and match different styles, which will make this art even more unique. Try to think of colors and tones which match your existing décor to make sure the tiles enhance your space. Whether your style is black and white images or vibrant colors, there are DIY photo tile collage styles for every home.
Laying Out Your Design
When you have selected photo tiles, now it's time to arrange them on the wall. Organizing your photo tiles is a crucial step to do before installation if you want to archive harmonious and balanced design.
Arranging Your Tiles on the Floor
Before you go all in attaching your collage wall tiles on the wall it's a good idea to arrange them on the floor to get the idea what kind of layout you want. Using this strategy allows you to visualize the final results and make adjustments before committing to the layout. Try laying photo tiles in the pattern or style you wish to put on the wall, sometimes also step back and make sure it looks the way you had envisioned.
Using such tactics allows you to try different layouts. Whether you are going for a grid or asymmetrical arrangement. By rearranging the photo tiles on the floor you not only save time but also avoid errors, which might occur when placing photo tiles on the wall, but if you can’t come up with any pattern for photo tiles, MySmileTiles suggest reading the article Top 7 Hacks for Arranging Photo Tiles Like a Pro
Preparing Your Wall for Installation
When you have photo tile collage design ready, it's the correct time to prepare the wall for installation.
Preparing the Wall Surface
Before going all in with a collage wall with photo tiles, It is necessary to clean the wall surface. Things such as dust, dirt or even grease can interfere with adhesive and prevent photo tiles sticking properly on the wall. Use microfiber cloth to wipe down the place where photo tiles will be placed, something you also need to take into consideration is texture of the wall if it has a texture or if it's painted with high gloss finish, you might need to sand it lightly for tiles to stick to the wall smoothly.
Marking Key Points for Tile Placement
After making sure the wall is ready for the photo tiles, the next step would be to mark where each tile will go. Using things such as level, pencil or even a measuring tape, mark the key points on the wall to ensure precise placement of the photo tiles. If you use a grid template, ensuring the placement of the tiles would be much easier since the template will have pre-measured points to follow. For measuring larger tiles, it is advisable to mark both top and bottom of the edges to guarantee correct alignment.
Hanging the Photo Tiles
After all the previous procedures are done now comes hanging the photo tile collage part.
Using Adhesive Strips vs. Nails
When putting up a collage wall with photo tiles there are a couple of ways you can hang up the photo tiles on the wall, with its own pros and cons. One of the most popular option is using adhesive strips because they are easy to apply, don’t leave any holes on the wall and can be removed from the wall without causing damage.
But if you want to have a more permanent solution or you are hanging heavier photo tiles, nails or screws might be a better option for you. Make sure to use proper products that are appropriate for your wall type, using such technique ensures photo tiles are securely attached to the wall.
Step-by-Step Guide for Hanging Tiles
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Measure and mark the spots: Using the marks you made earlier, measure the exact placement for each tile.
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Attach adhesive strips or nails: If using adhesive strips, apply them to the back of each tile. For nails, use a hammer to carefully insert them into the marked spots.
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Align the tiles: Press each tile firmly against the wall, ensuring it stays in place. For a symmetrical look, use your measuring tape or level to check alignment as you go.
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Check for even spacing: After placing the first few tiles, step back and assess the layout to ensure the spacing is consistent. Adjust as needed.
Finishing Touches
Once you are done setting up the collage wall with photo tiles, it is time to add finishing touches to your design.
Adding Frames and Decorative Elements
To make the photo tiles more stylish, we recommend framing the tiles. You can use a uniform frame, to make it look clean and neat or mix and match frame styles, while framing is a good option adding small objects near the photo tiles are also a great way to elevate the style, objects such as shelves or plants.
Maintaining Your Collage Wall Over Time
Your newly created personalized collage wall is a beautiful part of your home which needs proper maintenance for it to look vibrant and new.
Cleaning and Preserving Photo Tiles
To keep your photo tiles looking fresh and new, gently clean them with soft microfiber cloth. Avoid using harsh chemicals because it can damage the surface of the tile. If you want to keep photo tiles for a really long time, placement of the collage wall tiles matters, try avoiding direct sunlight since it may cause the colors of the photo tile to fade away. For more information about how to clean photo tiles read A Guide to Maintaining and Cleaning Photo Tiles.