A guide for framing your artwork
Many people have asked me for tips in terms of picking out a frame, so I decided to make a guide! There are a few factors to consider when shopping for a frame for your artwork. First, you’ll want to choose a frame that contrasts with your wall. I would avoid a white frame on a white wall (unless you have a minimalistic style and everything else in your house is white).
If your artwork has black elements, a black frame is most likely able to enhance the artwork.
However, if a piece has brown elements, stay away from using a wooden frame. Second, you’ll want a frame color that isn’t competing with the art, rather you’ll want the frame to compliment the design. A safe way to go for beginning frames is a black frame or a wooden frame. Another element to consider is the thickness of the frame. Generally for myself, I don’t buy frames that have width larger than two inches, unless it’s a very large artwork and a center piece, above a bed or couch. I find that thick frames tend to compete with the art and can take away the focus from the design. Here are two frame examples, black and wooden. The wooden example is at the top of this blog post. Below is a black frame, complimented by a green wall. I wanted to show these two examples because both these frames compliment the art and contrast from the wall. If your mat board is cutting off any of the art, use a different frame or take out the mat board
When hanging artwork it’s best to start with your largest piece, which will be your centerpiece, and put it on the wall above a bed, a couch, or in your space on a wall that has the most room.
I recommend starting with hanging up your largest work of art and then moving to the smaller pieces.
This is to avoid having large artwork crammed in a small corner and a small piece above a couch, which doesn’t have enough visual weight to make a statement. Below is an example of a centerpiece, without smaller works of art on the sides. When your art is large enough, you won’t need other works of art on the sides.
When hanging multiple works of art, three images next to each other is best. Two images side by side is not enough to feel like the artwork belongs together as a set. If all the three pieces are the same size, it is likely will be very successful as a set.
When hanging several pieces that are different sizes, place the biggest piece of artwork in the center, and the smaller pieces on either side.
Additional tips: remember to remove any plastic protective sleeves when framing your print!
Here’s an example of artwork that is a center piece. This wall is big enough to display this artwork as a focal point.
I’m including below some shops I recommend that sell frames that fit my artwork. I hope this guide was helpful!
Black frame with white matting This frame is 12 x 12 inches. It is matted, so it has a border inside the frame. This will fit any of my 8.5 x 8.5 square prints
Medium thickness frame with no matting This frame is also black, and thicker than the one above, but not as thick as the one below. It also fits my 8.5 x 8.5 prints
Thick black frame with no matting This frame also fits an 8.5 x 8.5 print, but without a border. This frame is thicker than the ones above
11 x 11 Black frame This frame is a black medium thickness frame that fits 11 x 11 prints, just remove the matting before placing your print into the frame
