Choosing the right picture frame

Custom picture framing has become a cost-effective way to breathe new life into your home. With a wide variety of materials, moulding and colours to choose from a tailor-made framed piece can bring harmony to a home by balancing different interior design elements with framed artwork.

You might not have even considered all the different framing options available until it was time to buy one. They’re a seldom thought-of accent hanging on your walls, outshone and playing second fiddle to the story within.

They go about their day protecting and proudly displaying your picture for everyone to admire and helping to transform your walls into the centrepiece of your room.

Everyone has a vague idea of what they want their frame to look like or how they want it to perform. But, what makes an individual frame the best for you? The brand? The material? The size?

Spoiler: The right frame for you is one that’s made to measure and fits your picture perfectly, all whilst complementing the look of your art and interior design. But there’s more to it than that, including which one fits your budget, and more.

How do you pick the best frame for your picture?

When thinking about the perfect frame, the two factors that should influence the customisation process are the existing interior design themes in the room the artwork is intended for, and most importantly, the artwork itself. The frame should reflect these two elements and bring them together, serving as the supporting act for the show’s star, the artwork. The gap between an art piece and interior style can be bridged by choosing the right frame for your artwork first and then considering the interior.

• Material (wood or metal)
• Size (custom or standard)
• Price (premium or budget)
• Colour

Where you want your frame also influences the designs to consider. If the room has a strong style the frame can embrace, then it’s worth looking for materials and finishes that can bring together both elements. For example, a minimal or industrial interior could be met with a simple, sleek black flat profile metal frame. In contrast, a rustic coastal property would suit a distressed whitewashed wooden frame. For ideas matching different design philosophies with colours and materials, check out our trends and ideas.

Metal or wood?

Choosing the moulding material can be daunting, especially with the large number of options available on eFrame, so it’s worth looking at the unique properties of each to determine what’s right for you.

Wood has been used to frame priceless artwork for centuries, dating right back to the invention of artwork framing well over a thousand years ago. It’s no surprise that since these early wooden frames reserved for the wealthy, times have moved on, and now framing is available to anyone on any budget. If you need some help finding your perfect wooden frame use our guide for some pointers.

Wood has a long history in the picture framing industry, and the modern-day is no exception. Natural, or open grain wood, provides a warm rustic complement your walls and art, with various profiles that satisfy a range of design preferences. Frames that feature their natural grains can also be ordered with a stain finish in lots of different colours to suit a variety of paintings, family photos and other traditional media perfectly. However, if wood grain and texture aren’t to your taste, then painted wooden frames can be a great option to bring a more modern aesthetic to your space. Painted wooden frames can also be found in a range of more traditional and ornate designs. Happy with wood? Start browsing our wooden frames.

When does a wood frame make sense?

Picture frames are available in a wide variety of materials making it difficult to work out what you need. Wood is a great choice for framing due to its versatility, with a huge variety of colours, finishes, stains, and designs.

Clean and simple wood frames work brilliantly with modern art, photography, line drawings, and word art. Darker natural shade wooden frames work well with vintage or historical themes, and ornate wood frames are perfect for high detailed artwork like one-off paintings. Have a look at our deep box wooden frames if you’re trying to frame unconventional 3D artworks like tiles, textiles, and needleworks.

Want to know more about the differences between wood and aluminium picture frames? We have a comprehensive wood vs aluminium frames guide.

Colour

A good colour pairing between your artwork and the frame is what will make your piece truly unique. This is achieved by finding tones in your artwork and frame that will work together and complement each other. An easy way to accomplish compatible colour hues is to match the colour temperature (warm or cold tones).

Colour temperature is an example of colour undertones, as all colours (other than true red, yellow and blue) are tinted by another colour to create that specific shade. These undertones are the key to creating a harmonious combination and thanks to the selection at eframe you have complete control over the specific shade.

Our solid painted frames offer a full spectrum of different colourful shades in a smooth matte finish, including shades of black, grey, white, blue, red, yellow and more. These solid colours are a great way to make your artwork pop, either by matching similar undertones as mentioned or to pick out a specific colour from the art and matching it making a powerful visual impact that looks stunning.

Natural wood and dark wood shades are available in such a variety to allow the same combination of colours while keeping the classic look of a wood frame, through the variety of materials and finishes that transform the frames undertones.

Wood types

Our frames come in a variety of different wood types, carefully chosen for strength and aesthetic qualities. Our barefaced frames are available in a variety of beautiful solid wood, namely solid oak, ash, pine and beech. All our painted, foil finish and stain finish frames are also made from real solid wood to the same high standard as our barefaced collection.

Finishes

The finish transforms the look of the frame. Grain is a great way to introduce organic texture into an interior, as every wood has a different look and feel. Unfinished or barefaced frames are made from solid wood without any staining or painting, making them a great choice for a modern rustic look. Tight grains pair well with more formal frames, whereas a large more open grain suggests a more casual rustic look, like a distressed driftwood style coastal theme frame. If you’re worried about too much wood in your interior, then a mixture of grains can help bring balance.

Stained frames have the benefits of visible grain, but also introduce an element of colour into the frame. Either choose a brown stained frame that has a vintage look with a variety of shades and undertones great for a traditional natural theme, or a coloured stain to combine the benefits of a painted finish with a barefaced frame.

Painted finishes are solid colours where the grain is not visible, usually a smooth matte or flossy finish. These are a great choice for a modern interior and the variety of colours and designs available make these frames highly versatile. Our ornate and decorative frames are available in a variety of leaf and foil finishes which have a premium look, great for any interior with a touch of decadence.

Metal mouldings provide the advantage of being incredibly strong and lightweight, allowing them to support a large frame and remain thinner than a wooden alternative. These thinner borders suit a minimal or industrial looks, and they direct the focus onto the artwork. These aluminium frames are available in lots of different colours and finishes, like polished and brushed. Check out our metal frames online today.

Size is everything

The size of the frame can have a significant impact on how people perceive your framed art, as well as your home itself. A big framed piece can make a statement and pair with a fireplace, sofa or bed effortlessly. Alternatively, small frames are great for staircases or bathrooms where open wall space is a luxury. Whatever the size, make sure to get the measurements right to achieve a perfect fit. Look at our size and measuring guide for more info.

Size isn’t just about the dimensions of the artwork; it’s also about the size of the frame. With a variety of mouldings, thick and thin, it can be hard to decide what profile to go for. Wider frames can add presence to a large piece hanging over furniture and can often be used as a decorative accent, making them feel like a part of the artwork. Medium width frames push an image forward, and thin frames are great to bring attention straight to a print or to use for a group of frames.

Let’s talk colour

Our wide variety of paint finishes for our wood frames makes them an excellent choice for fitting a theme. However, if you desire an attractive frame to fit your home, then it’s essential to find a tone that creates a cohesive theme, which can be tricky to do. To find colours that will fit your wall, the first step is to separate your dominant colour from your undertones.

The fundamental point to remember is that some colours will have warm undertones and some with have cool undertones. These are determined based on the tints used to make the paint. An example being emerald-green, which is made from green (a warm colour) as the dominant colour with a hint of blue, creating a green with cool undertones.

These tints, or undertones, should influence your decision-making process as all the materials available, even natural finish wooden frames, possess undertones that can easily complement any environment. If you are after a subtle hint of colour, then the undertones are what to focus on; for example, a cobalt blue wall would match a silver or cold-toned gold frame, whereas an olive-green backdrop would suit a warm gold or an antique wooden frame.

If subtle is not in your nature and you are keen for a vibrant frame to make a statement, the same rules apply. A bold colour can go hand in hand with eye-catching artwork, especially if selected carefully. Selecting a frame colour that matches a dominant element of the artwork being framed will bring a sense of stability to the piece and create a very pleasing display. Additionally, selecting a colour that matches a small part of the artwork will draw attention to the frame, making the image pop.

Do my frames need to match?

Frame choices can be influenced by what frames you already have in your house. Matching frames with one another will create a put-together look and are a helpful tool to create a coherent design theme in your space. On the other hand, having a well-selected variety of mismatched frames is an excellent addition to a room with an eclectic bohemian design.

Should I mount my picture?

Mounts are a great way to add a decorative touch to your display; available in a variety of colours – they can truly fit any theme. Their use stretches far beyond complimenting design choices. Their appearance brings a tidy and formal look to artwork and focuses you on what’s important. They are instrumental in controlling the size of the frame, increasing the presence of a small image or creating a display of frames with equal sizing when the images vary. Our guide on finding a suitable mount for your image may be helpful.