You’ve found the perfect painting; you bought it and brought it home (or it finally arrived in the mail!) … now what?
If the painting is on a canvas, and you purchased it from a professional artist or gallery, you’re in luck! Fine art canvases come ready to be hung and displayed, and most canvas pieces do not even need a frame. But let’s say the art you purchased was created on paper, or it is a fine art print. Purchasing art on paper is great, because it is often more affordable than canvas, so much lighter and way easier to ship or transport home! One caveat to it though… you’ll have to frame it. Finding a frame for your newly acquired original art or fine art prints can be a challenge! I thought I would share some of my favorite framing tips to help inspire you when it comes to framing your own art purchases.
While I do have a series of mini paintings that are already framed and ready to go, my paintings on paper do not usually come with a framing option, mainly because choosing a frame for a piece of art is such a personal decision. There are several factors that come into play, including:
- Personal taste
- the room it is to be displayed in
- Any art or photos intended to be displayed alongside it
- Your budget
Personal taste is probably the most important: maybe you just really love the luxurious look of gilded frames! Perhaps you are more of a minimalist and prefer simple frames that subtly elevate the art you are displaying. Everyone has their own personal style and preferences, and incorporating that into displaying your art collection is so fun! It’s kind of like a collaboration with the artist. You get to put your own spin on the piece of art you resonated with so deeply.
Another important factor to consider when choosing a frame is the room the art is going to be displayed in. What is the overall color scheme of the room, and how can you tie in the painting flawlessly with the rest of your décor? If you have a very boldly decorated room, with lots of black and white accents and loud pops of color, perhaps going with a black frame and a white matte will keep the colors popping but tie it in to the surroundings. Maybe you are going for more of a boho feel – consider using a natural wood frame to keep the natural and earthy vibes going.
Are there any photos or other art pieces you are intending to display alongside the art in question? Be sure to take the overall display into consideration! This is all about balance. I personally prefer going with my gut on these things. I think its fun to work with what you have on hand, and incorporate more elements as you find as you go along, and create a display that shows off your personal taste in an eclectic and visually pleasing way. Others might find it more satisfying to carefully plan it all out! You can map out a gallery wall using paper templates cut to the same size as the frames and décor you are going to use and play around with the arrangement before filling the wall with a bunch of nails and hanging strips!
(Photo by Jonny Caspari on Unsplash)
Of course, another thing to keep in mind is your budget. Maybe you’ve really splurged on collecting a piece of art for your home, and you don’t have much leftover for actually displaying it! This happens. Buying art is an investment, and it’s important to take care of that investment by caring for it properly! For paper pieces, framing is essential, not just for displaying the art, but also making sure it stays protected. Sometimes it’s best to frame it in a plain-and-simple, affordable frame at first, and plan to upgrade the frame later on.
Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when searching for that perfect frame:
- Especially for those on a budget, don’t underestimate combing through your local thrift stores! This is an excellent, cost effective, AND sustainable way to find some gorgeous frames, often times one-of-a-kind!
- Look for neutrals that complement the painting AND your home (find a common denominator. Example: are there prominent areas of black or dark color in the painting and also a lot of black featured in your home décor? Go with a black frame!)
- Highlight something you love about the piece: Does it have glints of gold paint or gold leaf? Give it an elegant gold frame! Is there a pattern you particularly love featured in the painting? Maybe find a frame that echoes that pattern – though be sure to do this with caution! If you do go with a more decorative frame, consider using a wider matte to avoid overwhelming the painting!
- For small paintings, use a wider matte. For larger paintings, keep the matte thinner.
Do you have any framing or art displaying tips to share? Please tell me all about them in the comments!
Happy framing!