20 Picture Frame Ideas to Help You Beautifully Display All of Your Treasured Photos and Art
Pictures not only evoke a mixture of nostalgia and joy, but they also add a little something extra to your home décor. But framing photos, art, and other collectibles can be difficult, and choosing coordinated frames for an entire room is among one of the most challenging things a homeowner will do. But standard, wall-mounted frames purchased from a retailer are definitely not your only option for displaying your most treasured pictures (although that certainly works when you find a look you love). To that end, we're sharing a mix of DIY projects and shoppable items that will inspire you to get your favorite photos or art up on the walls once and for all. Whether you're looking to frame a baby picture or want a new home for your cherished antique family photographs, these creative options will help you create the display you've been dreaming of.
If you love a good craft, you'll be thrilled to know that there are a number of picture frame ideas that you can make yourself. We're showing you how to create a number of beautiful options, like a doily frame, which takes the surface protector and transforms it into a backdrop for your favorite memory. For a woodworking DIY, try your hand at making our double-border frame. It requires cutting basswood to four different sizes, glue, and some creativity, but the effort is definitely worth the final product. Or if you're looking to show off a slew of photos, make our accordion gallery. Frameless photographs can be mounted on sturdy artboards and linked by small hinges for an accordion structure.
For those looking to buy a picture frame, we have a number of stylish selects to suit every style. First up is an easel frame, which makes moving your art or photos a breeze. If you're enamored with a metal frame but want to show off more than one picture, you'll love the triple frame we've selected. It's brass and holds three 4'' by 6'' photos.
Ahead, find more picture frame ideas that will look great hanging on a wall or displayed on a table in any room of your home.
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Easel Frame
Reach for an easel picture frame to instantly update any room. We like this one's simple black-and-white motif.
Shop Now: The White Company "Fine" Black Easel Frame, 4'' by 6'', $44, thewhitecompany.com.
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Dollhouse Trim Frame
A traditional frame like this one pairs well with vintage memorabilia, such as a colorful stamp collection.
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Triple Frame
A triple picture frame is always a good idea. This one features an elevated brass finish trim and a clear glass panel, which gives the illusion of floating photos.
Shop Now: West Elm "Terrace" Triple Frame in Brass, $65, westelm.com.
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Rainbow Photo Mats
To give the frames you already own a colorful update, place photos on colorful precut 8'' by 10'' mats. Choose a few different bold hues for an eye-catching gallery wall.
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Classic Black-and-White Frames
A white inlay not only helps keep the photo in place, but it looks stylish with a thin, black frame mounted on a neutral-hued wall. This is a good option if you plan to display your photos in an otherwise busy section of your home.
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Beaded Picture Frame
This Great Gatsby-esque picture frame is a roaring good time. Featuring intricate bead detailing and a neutral color, it's the perfect home for your most cherished image.
Shop Now: Martha Stewart Collection Silver Beaded Frame, 5''by 7'', $65, macys.com.
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Doily Frame
Take an everyday table protector and place it behind your favorite photo as a unique mat. It's simple to make, too. With small, sharp scissors (or a craft knife on a cutting mat), remove the center portion of a paper doily and discard. Then position the doily on a photo. With a pencil, lightly mark the inner edge of the doily opening on the photo. Next trim the picture 1/8 inch outside of the drawn line and apply a glue stick to the back of the doily and around the opening. Next center the doily on the photo and glue. Apply glue stick at intervals to the back of the doily—near the edges. Finally center the doily-rimmed photo on a mat board and adhere before letting it dry and placing it in a frame.
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Tabletop Picture Frames
Instead of a precariously leaning picture frame, display your treasured family photos inside a proper standing option. Not only does it look great, but its minimalist aesthetic is just the thing to show off any photo you like.
Shop Now: Artifact Uprising Wooden Tabletop Frames, $59, artifactuprising.com.
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Antique Shapes
Whether you choose to fill them or leave them as-is, antique picture frames add intrigue to any space. Don't be afraid to mix and match different shapes, styles, and sizes—we love how an eclectic mix looks on an otherwise plain wall.
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Photo Frame Gallery
Your children create beautiful artwork every day, but displaying it all can make a room feel busy. Understated frames help solve the problem. Bunch a group of simple white frames together on your wall for the perfect way to show off everyone's artwork without overwhelming your space.
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Unique Stands
Stray from the ordinary with a vise frame. This vintage-inspired one is equal parts picture frame and centerpiece. A replica of a steelworker's vise, it's crafted from cast iron and glass.
Shop Now: Pottery Barn "Vise" Picture Frame, from $109, potterybarn.com.
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Wood and Gilded Frame
Whether you've purchased your art or created it on your own, elevate its look by displaying it in a museum-worthy frame.
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Double-Border Frame
This double-border picture frame idea is easy to make and looks great displayed anywhere in your house. Begin by cutting basswood to the following lengths with a miter box saw: four pieces two inches longer than the exterior length of the frame, two pieces to fit the width between those two pieces, two pieces five inches longer than the exterior width of the frame, eight pieces one inch long. Using a flat brush, glue pieces to the frame and one another, sanding ends of wood as necessary for a good fit, attaching one inch pieces last. After the glue dries, use another brush to apply one coat of primer and let it dry, and then apply two coats of paint.
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Accordion Gallery
Frameless photographs can be mounted on sturdy artboards and linked by small hinges for an accordion structure. Color and black-and-white snapshots, portraits, and still life paintings add to the effect. Using a small craft brush and acrylic paint, paint the edges of each board and let it dry. Then position one picture on one face of each board. Using another small craft brush, apply decoupage glue to the back of each photograph. Then attach it to a board and let it dry. Next glue images to reverse sides of the boards if that's the look you're going for. Next decide on what order you want the photos and use a pencil to mark the placement of the hinges. We used ones 1 3/4 inches from the top and the bottom of each board and aligned with one edge. With a T pin, bore small holes through the boards where screws will go (this will make it easier to insert the screws). Using a screwdriver, attach the hinges and link the boards to one another.
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Paired Frames
If you're framing your favorite bright picture or painting, place them together in white frames with thick borders that won't interfere with all of the pictures' colors—letting everyone's attention rest on the beautiful image.
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Profile Frames
Create negative space with this picture frame idea. The white background looks elegant with black and white photos and offers a great balance against bright-colored photographs.
Shop Now: Room&Board Profile Frames in Gunmetal, from $69, roomandboard.com.
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Acrylic Frames
Perfect for displaying bright, colorful pictures or objects, acrylic frames are almost invisible against your walls.
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Two-Toned Frames
A two-toned frame looks lovely when surprising color combinations are involved. We love the idea of dark and light hues complementing one another.
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Thin Gold Frames
For a barely-there look that still packs a punch, hang thin gold picture frames. They'll pop against almost any wall color and look elegant.
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Picture Frame Kids Craft
To make this fun DIY craft, the only supplies you need are construction paper, uncooked pasta, glue, and a dose of creativity. It's fun for all ages, and is the perfect picture frame idea that kids to make themselves.