Mastering the Art of Framing for Your Home

Home decoration can often be a process of trial and error. You could find it hard to fit together the pieces you love into a layout that appears trendy, contemporary, and unified—especially when dealing with wall art. How can you arrange everything from cherished family photos to art prints in a way that guarantees a range of visuals that are clean and harmonious?

One of the most effective solutions is using frames. Framing has a remarkable effect on all types of wall art, enhancing it with sophistication, elegance, and a touch of extravagance without overpowering it. Whether you are ornamenting a room from scratch or trying to preserve a piece of art you love, the following tips can assist you in picking the best frames to make your decor stand out—and even evoke admiration from visitors.

A Beautiful Border for All

The key to framing is to keep it simple. You just need to match the frame style to the piece you are framing. For example, encase a conventional oil painting in a grand, vintage frame or display graphic media posters in sleek, neutral frames. The same principle applies to color. Try to match the frame or its mat to a color within the art itself, but it's better to aim for an accent color rather than a dominant one to avoid oversaturation. If you're framing something in black-and-white, a black frame is almost always a good choice.

These compatibility rules apply to virtually all wall hangings, including sketches, photographs, paintings, prints, and even unique items such as woven fabrics and handwritten letters. If a frame has a relationship with what's inside, the results are bound to be stylish.

Frame to Your Taste

As you encase your items in frames, always remember to consider your personal style. For a rustic look, stick to natural, unpolished materials. For a contemporary, sleek look, use thin black frames with white mats and glass panes, which will make diverse pieces feel unified. And for a transitional look, mix different frame styles within a single room or even on the same gallery wall. Just ensure you stick to a strict color scheme to avoid visual chaos.

To Mat or Not to Mat?

These thick, paper-like borders inside frames serve several functions. A mat is right for your project if you want to highlight important decor with thicker borders, fill more space in a larger frame, or cover an object's unsightly edges and corners.

However, a mat is not always necessary. “Most pieces look better with a mat, with a few exceptions,” Tessa Wolf of framing company Framebridge tells One Kings Lane. “Large-format photography looks amazing unmatted—the image has a greater impact without anything qualifying what you’re seeing.” Wolf also advises omitting the mat when aligning a cohesive image across multiple frames.

Layers of Protection

If you're framing a particularly precious or delicate piece of art—an original acrylic painting would be an example of both—shield it with UV-filtering glass and a dust cover, a paper layer that seals the back of the frame and keeps dust away from your masterpiece for extra longevity. Only some frames come with these features, so be sure to read the labels; many frames have imitation fiberglass, which is lighter than glass and shatter-resistant but doesn't offer UV protection. You may also need to request protective glass and a dust cover specifically for a professional frame job.

DIY vs. Professional Framing

When embarking on a DIY framing project, always take accurate measurements, and consider measuring multiple times as a precaution. Also, take note of the depth of any three-dimensional pieces. The measurements featured on the frames at your craft store will indicate their inner dimensions, so as long as you know the size of your decor, you should have no trouble finding the right frame. For a cost-saving tip, purchase discounted, framed prints at a home goods store and replace the inner art; just take a measuring tape on your shopping trip because finished art pieces usually label their outer dimensions.

On the other hand, if you're prepared to pay the price for professional framing, you can avoid the responsibility of doing any calculations and guarantee you get your desired results. This is particularly advisable when framing painted canvases, the extra depth and weight of which can make DIY framing a hassle and potentially result in a poor fit.

If you're apprehensive about the prospect of spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars framing every piece of wall decor in your home, work in priority order. Frame cherished pieces in rooms that your guests are most likely to see—the living room, dining room, foyer, and powder room—and then work on acquiring pieces in less noticeable spots such as hallways, bedrooms, and private bathrooms.

Alternatives to framed art

In some cases, you can eschew framing altogether. For example, you can hang sketches and watercolors from oversized metallic pins to create an art studio vibe. To craft a quirky and youthful look, hang lines of string, then pin photographs and art prints to them. For more simple DIY inspiration that can fill an empty wall, use wainscoting to frame a swath of wallpaper or fill shadow boxes with dynamic decor like gemstones and awards.

Once you wrap your favorite decor in frames and hang them, you can fully appreciate these pieces for their heightened style and vibrant coloring. After all, frames can elevate even the simplest objects to the level of art. Well-framed decor will dress up any space with glimmers of visual intrigue and add spectacular personality that your guests will be sure to admire.

In conclusion, framing is a versatile and powerful tool that can transform your wall decor. By choosing the right frames and considering factors such as personal style, matting, and preservation, you can elevate your decor to new heights and create a space that truly reflects your taste and personality. So go ahead, start framing, and let your walls tell your unique story.