Framing a piece of art is a fun way to make your home feel personal and stylish. But the frame you choose can totally change how your art looks in a room. A sleek frame might feel out of place in a cozy farmhouse living room, while a chunky wooden one could clash with a modern interior.
A frame serves as a bridge between the print and the overall look of the room. The right frame makes your artwork stand out, ties it to the decor, and protects it from dust or damage. Plus, it’s a chance to show off your personality.
So, how do you pick the right frame for each room style? Here’s a guide for you.
For Modern or Minimalist Rooms
If your room has a modern or minimalist feel, you’ll want a frame that’s sleek and fuss-free. This is to blend with the white tones, smooth surfaces, and uncluttered space. Thin frames in black, white, or matte metal like silver work best here. They don’t steal attention from the art itself.
For an extra touch, add a wide white mat or a border around the print. It gives the piece breathing room and keeps things light.
Now, what kind of art fits this style? Bold abstracts or geometric designs are perfect as they’ll match the sharp, clean look. Hand your framed print by itself for a striking focal point, or line up a few in a neat grid to achieve that trendy gallery vibe.
For Rustic or Farmhouse Designs
If your space feels rustic or farmhouse-inspired, you’ll want frames that feel warm and lived-in. Choose those that will jive with wooden beams, soft blankets, and all earthy tones, so wooden frames are your best options here.
Look for frames made of distressed or natural wood in shades like brown or gray. A thicker frame adds that hearty, homemade charm. You can skip the mat entirely to keep things casual. Or you can use a thin off-white one if you want a little polish.
Framed prints like landscapes, flowers, or even vintage-style sketches fit this interior perfectly. If you want to show more creativity, you can lean it on a shelf instead of just hanging the frame. You can also add twine for a rustic twist.
For Bohemian or Eclectic Style
Bohemian or eclectic rooms are full of colorful rugs, plants, and patterns. So, framing art for this style is all about having fun and breaking rules. Try an ornate gold one next to a carved wooden frame, or even paint a frame in a bright color like teal or pink. The goal is to make it feel unique (and a little wild).
Mats are optional here. If you use one, pick a textured or colorful mat to add to the artistic flair. It could be mustard yellow or deep green.
Art prints with dreamy watercolors, tribal patterns, or cultural designs shine in this setting. For hanging, create a gallery wall with different sizes and heights, or layer your frames with textiles like macrame. This will make the whole space look free-spirited.
For Traditional or Classical Interiors
Formal rooms call for frames that feel elegant and fancy. You can add heavy, ornate frames in gold, silver, or dark wood with carved details. These look like they belong in a museum, and they add a sense of history to your space.
You can pair them with a wide mat in a soft color like ivory or beige. But if you want to step it up, use a double mat with a thin inner color for extra sophistication.
Still life prints, or classic scenes, like reprints of old paintings, work beautifully here. To add more personality, you can even make framed prints of your own or family portraits, as most classic homes do. Services like MYPICTURE.com.au let you upload your own picture and make framed photo prints out of it.
Then, you can hang your framed art or photo centered over a fireplace or a big piece of furniture, keeping everything balanced and symmetrical. With this, you can achieve a timeless look.
For Industrial Homes
This design is more on exposed bricks, metal furniture, and a warehouse feel. So you need frames with some grit. Go for raw metal frames in black or steel or rough reclaimed wood with visible knots. These keep the vibe tough. Most of the time, you can skip the mat to let the art feel bold or unpolished, which fits the style.
Black-and-white photos, old blueprints, or gritty city sketches are great choices for prints here. Hang one oversized piece to make a statement, or line up a few smaller frames against a brick or concrete wall. It’s rugged and cool.
For Coastal or Beach Rooms
Finally, if your room has a coastal or beachy feel, your frames should feel light and airy. You must match the sandy tones or blues. So, pick frames in pale wood like driftwood or whitewashed oak.
You can also go for colors like white or sky blue to create a sky illusion. These colors will blend right into that seaside look. Then, you can add a white or light blue mat to mimic the beach and waves.
Ocean scenes, seashell drawings, or nautical maps are ideal prints for this style. Hang them in a casual cluster, or put one big piece above a console table with some shells nearby. With this, you’ll be bringing that calm, vacation feel indoors.
Wrapping Up
Framing art prints doesn’t have to be tricky. All you need is to activate your creativity, and the personality through your design will follow. Start by picking a frame that matches your room’s mood, add a mat if it fits, and hang it where it feels right. Play around, trust your gut, and have fun with it because, after all, that’s what matters.
