Once you’ve selected a beautiful photo print you want to put on display, the next step is to choose the right frame—one that enhances your photo and transforms it into true artwork. The good news is choosing a picture frame is easy once you know the basics. To help, we’re sharing all of the secrets on how to choose a picture frame, whether it’s metal, wood, black or white.
After you’ve determined the ideal type of picture frame for your photo, finish your project by choosing from our personalized wooden frames and other types of frames.
Popular Types of Picture Frames
A wide range of frame sizes and types are available and a few of them are especially popular: wood frames, black or white frames and metallic frames. These styles, when used right, amplify the overall presentation of your artwork.
Wood Picture Frames
As a natural material, wood offers a warm and classic feel. Ranging in color from light to dark depending on the finish used, wood frames give you plenty of options for complementing and contrasting your images. Photos with warmer tones, like red, brown and orange, look best with darker frames made of woods like mahogany and walnut. Cooler tones in an image, such as blues, greens and lavender, pair better with lighter wood frames made of oak, ash and pine.
Choosing a wood frame also depends on the rest of the decor in the room and your home. Wood frames vary from simple designs to ones with ornate and intricate detailing. So be sure to match your frame accordingly, whether that’s to your traditional, country, rustic or chic style.
Black or White Picture Frames
Placing your photo in a solid-colored frame, like black or white, can truly accentuate the beauty when used appropriately. Black frames offer an elegant, formal look, while white frames tend to be more casual and eclectic in nature. Both black and white frames carry a modern feel and streamlined appearance.
A black frame will highlight the darker features in your photo and act as a contrast to lighter ones. That’s why it’s best to use a photo with some light and dark tones in a black frame, in order to create a balanced look.
White frames generate a similar vibe. They tend to make the darkness in photos stand out, and the light hues to blend into the background. White frames work best for casual and candid photos.
Some people also choose to place black and white photos in these solid-colored frames. It often fosters an artistic, stylish feel, especially when creating a gallery wall.
Metallic Picture Frames
Metallic frames, like black frames, have a modern, trendy vibe. They lift a photo’s coloring, making it more vibrant and eye-catching. Because of its classy appearance, metallic picture frames work well for family portraits, stunning landscapes and wedding photos. Candid shots, on the other hand, may look better in a black, white or wood frame.
Black and white photos also pair well with metallic picture frames. They provide a contrasting color to the photograph itself.
Tips for choosing a frame
Tip 1: Don’t overemphasize matching specific colors in your photo to the frame color. Instead, consider the overall tone of the image when selecting a frame.
Tip 2: Select a lighter frame for casual or simple art—and choose a darker frame for more elegant or formal pieces.
Tip 3: Matching a frame to your existing room decor is more important than matching a color in your image to the frame itself. Choose a frame that either complements your current decor, or adds just the right spark of contrast.
Tip 4: To help your artwork stand out, ensure your frame color isn’t too similar to your wall color.
Tip 5: Your mat color and frame color should be different. When they’re too similar, attention is drawn to the framing rather than the artwork.
Substitutes for a Picture Frame
In addition to picture frames, there are other easy options for turning your photos into stunning artwork.
Canvas Prints
Canvas prints are designed with your image printed onto canvas using a specially-made inkjet printer. In other words, a photograph is transformed into a lasting piece of art. Canvas prints come either framed or frameless.
Metal Prints
Metal prints are durable, high-definition photos displayed in a frameless design. The image is layered onto .45 inch thick metal panels and comes professionally finished. Metal prints are sleek, modern art pieces that bring photographs to life. Our metal prints come with a secure hanger attached for easy wall mounting.
Wood Wall Art
Another option for your photos is to create wood wall art. In this process, your image is carefully printed onto a piece of high-quality wood, forming a beautiful, timeless look. Wood wall art complements traditional, rustic, country and cottage homes.
Tabletop Prints
Instead of hanging your photos on your walls, display them on a mantel, desk, or table with our collection of tabletop prints. With framed canvas prints to tabletop metal prints, you can see your favorite memories and your loved ones’ smiling faces every day while working or gathering in the living room.
Glitter Photo Blocks
Perfect for decorating your kids’ rooms, glitter photo blocks add fun to your images. These custom glitter pictures are displayed as 4×6 acrylic blocks filled with liquid-and-silver-glitter mix.
Ceramic Tiles & Photo Plaques
Elegantly display your images as a wow-worthy piece of art with options like ceramic photo tiles, slate plaques, and desktop plaques. These tabletop photo print options will look great next to the rest of your framed photos and unforgettable memories.
Enjoy the process of choosing a picture frame by browsing our extensive collection of wall art and frames. Keep our tips in mind, but most importantly: remember to choose what feels right to you, and what matches your unique sense of style.
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