Seasonal uni décor, done right: Easy autumnal photo wall

Leaves are turning, lectures are starting, and autumn is (almost) autumning. Settling into new uni accommodation and love cosy season just as much as we do? It’s time for DIY autumn décor – uni digs edition. 

Whether you’re team instant camera or are all about instax™ smartphone printers, find out how to make your space match the season with an autumnal photo wall that’s big on vibes, low on effort, and completely renter-friendly.

Why every uni room deserves an autumn photo wall

Embracing autumn home décor doesn’t mean destroying your bank balance. An autumn photo wall is the perfect example of a seasonal make that’s both aesthetic and budget-friendly. You can head outside, instax™ camera in hand, and find loads of photo inspo and cool stuff for crafting (for free).

It doesn’t have to be permanent, either. Whether you’re renting a place and don’t want to wreck the walls or need the perfect seasonal backdrop for an autumn party with pals, this playful piece of wall art has you covered.

Nailing those autumnal shots

First, let’s talk images. Use your instax™ instant camera or instax™ smartphone printer to capture and print shots for your autumnal display. Here are some easy autumn photo ideas to get you inspired:

‘Cosy season’ captured: Capture cosy walks in the park, crunchy copper autumn leaves, and carved pumpkin masterpieces. It's like an autumnal magazine edit, made for your wall. So chic.

Try this: Use the instax mini 41™ or instax mini 12™ instant camera to get effortless close-ups of all those autumnal deets. With built-in parallax correction, you’ll get perfectly aligned macro shots every time.

Only spooky snaps: Need a creepy backdrop for Halloween? Whether you’re hosting a ghoulish get-together, grabbing spooky content, or planning a Halloween-themed photoshoot for fun, make your instax™ shots your backdrop. Sport a white sheet and a pair of black shades for a hilarious DIY ghost shot. Head into the woods to grab some eerie tree silhouettes at dusk. Capture potions using brightly coloured fizzy drinks in glass bottles with playful labels. This is your chance to go all out on creativity.

Try this: Challenge your housemates to capture a shot each and then print them all using the instax mini Link 3™, SQUARE Link™, or Link WIDE™. Use your smartphones to capture everything, add Halloween filters and sketches using the printer’s designated Link app, then print and curate. It’s the perfect excuse to get together and create. 

Sunday strolls: Autumnal strolls with pals are a non-negotiable. And they make the cutest seasonal snaps. Layer up in cosy knits and hats, grab your go-to autumn coffee orders, and head out for a walk with your housemates. For the shots, throw handfuls of autumn leaves at each other, shoot cool shadows on footpaths, lean in for sunset selfies, and take a step back to get a still of your group from behind.

Try this: Snap your Sunday strolls on the instax WIDE Evo™ hybrid instant camera and layer the ‘Warm’ film effect with the ‘Light leak’ or ‘Colour Gradient’ lens effect to create dreamy WIDE shots with an autumnal glow. 

Materials checklist:

Once you’ve taken your snaps, you’ll want to gather materials. Here are all the supplies you’ll need:

• Your autumnal instax™ prints 
• Mini command strips/tack or reusable adhesive hooks (for hanging display)
• Mini pegs and string (for hanging display)
• Masking tape (for on-the-wall display)
• Scissors
• Decorational extras: dried leaves, dried citrus fruit slices, cinnamon sticks, etc.
• Lightweight fairy lights

Build your autumn photo wall: step-by-step 

Ready to create your photo wall? Choose from two easy ways to style: on-the-wall for a classic, clean feel, or hung with string for a boho vibe. 

Hanging photo display (string + pegs)

1. Set out your adhesive hooks where you want the display.
2. Drape 3–5 horizontal rows of string with a soft curve, or hang 3–4 vertical drops.
3. Tie the string in place, attaching it to the hooks.
4. Clip on your prints and tuck in your seasonal add-ons. 
5. Thread through a slim, warm fairy light strand.
6. Step back and adjust spacing so colours and sizes feel balanced.

On-the-wall photo grid (clean gallery)

1. Pick a layout: 3x4 or 4x4 for mini/SQUARE; tall 2x5 strip for WIDE.
2. Mark a straight top line with masking tape for alignment.
3. Attach your prints to the wall with the command strips or sticky tack (Spacing: 2–3 cm for mini/SQUARE or 3–4 cm for WIDE).
4. Place your strongest image at eye level, centre. Build out evenly.
5. Use your remaining command strips/tack to attach decorations around the edge or between images.

Why not combine both? If you’re not sure which to choose, alternate rows with different methods. You could hang your mini prints using string, then attach large prints directly to the wall. However you build it, it works.

Made to last, not to landfill

Why not keep your autumn display for next year? Put sustainability first by storing your make in a safe place for reuse. 

If you’re using foliage and dried fruit, opt for proper drying methods to stop them from spoiling. You can even use an air fryer to dry out your materials, using a dehydration setting for a few hours. Don't have an air fryer? Purchase a pack of craft leaves instead. 

Once you’ve carefully dismantled your display, place everything in a fun box and store it under the bed or on a shelf. To keep your snaps safe and scratch-free amongst all the autumnal extras, pop them into mini drawstring bags. You can pick them up cheaply online, and they’ll last for ages. 

Upgrade your display with these final tips… 

All about low effort, maximum impact? Try these final top tips for a display that slays: 

Elevate with film: Our classic white instax™ mini film is a go-to for any DIY, but if you want to take things up a notch, go deco. Add a celestial touch with our dreamy SQUARE Star Illumination film, enhance the autumn glow with our SQUARE Sunset film, or add analogue-style borders with our instax™ mini Contact Sheet film. 

Flex your art skills: Obsessed with painting and drawing? Make your own autumnal additions. Think: cosy calligraphy quotes, spooky Halloween characters, or delicate DIY leaf prints in warming hues. Head to Pinterest for Halloween art inspo – there are tonnes of different designs. 

Bring in beading: All about that rustic/boho look? Bring in some wooden beads. Opt for a string-based setup, then thread the beads in between each snap for a display that’s cool, artsy, yet polished. Using slightly larger beads? Paint them orange and turn them into cute mini pumpkins. Peak autumnal innovation.

Embrace autumn crafting with instax™

As the days get shorter, what better excuse to stick the kettle on, light a candle, and round up your housemates for an autumnal craft-and-hang session? We’ll be bringing you even more ideas for cosy photo-themed décor, so head to our blog and keep your eyes peeled for more seasonal makes. 

Decided you’re going to try our photo wall? Don’t forget to tag us on Insta: @instaxHQ.

Need to stock up on supplies? Find all our latest instax™ cameras, accessories, film, and more at MyFUJIFILM.