Framing Tips

What Does a Frame Do?

A frame does more than just offer structural support to a work of art. A frame creates a transition from a three-dimensional decorative world into a two-dimensional imaginary one. It provides a buffer zone that separates the artwork while giving it a proper decorative context within a room.

Match Your Style

When selecting a frame, choose one that complements the style and colors in the room. Our frames are grouped by size, color, decorating style and price.

Décor Styles

For your convenience, we've grouped some of our most popular frames into the following decorating styles:

Traditional décor is more formal in tone, and generally looks best with ornate, decorative, gold and silver frames, as well as woods like mahogany and walnut. Traditional décor also includes English Country style, with its wood furnishings and floral accessories.

Country/Rustic décor is more casual; wooden frames are preferred, especially distressed, weathered, cracked, or untreated wood. Related décor styles include Italian Country and Shabby Chic.

Contemporary décor is more streamlined, so simple frames look best. Black is a perennial favorite, but other solid color frames are also popular.

Casual/Eclectic is a wide open style with a free-spirit quality. Frames with strong personalities are common. Light-colored frames are popular.

Match the Frame to the Artwork

Frame Size

Generally speaking, use a wide frame on large art and a thin frame on small art. A wide frame adds presence and substance to a large piece hanging over a sofa or mantelpiece. A thin frame will not overwhelm smaller works of art.

Thin frames are especially preferred when multiple images with the same frame are displayed in wall groupings. However, there are no absolute rules. A well-chosen wide frame can give a sense of luxury and style to a small print, while a sleek, thin frame can add a modern flair to a large contemporary work of art.

A thin to medium-width frame tends to thrust the image forward. This is often preferred for museum classics that shouldn't have to compete for attention with a frame.

Wide frames tend to feel like part of the artwork itself, and are often used as a decorative accent for contemporary images.

Frame Color

Matching your frame to a color in the art is not as important as matching the frame to your room décor. In fact, it's easy to overdo it when it comes to matching color. Keep in mind the overall color tone of the image, rather than specific colors. Warm tones (red, orange, brown) in the image would generally look better with warm frames such walnut and mahogany and with antique gold frames. Cool tones (blue, green, lavender) look better with light woods, natural woods and brighter gold frames.

As a general rule, choose lighter colored frames for art that is light, simple or casual, such as you'll find in rustic art or botanical prints. Choose dark frames for a more stable, elegant, formal look with museum classics. A thin dark frame can be used with lighter prints because it doesn't feel very heavy. Gold frames are very flexible and match a wide variety of art styles. Most modern and abstract art looks good with black frames, while Impressionist art is seldom framed in black.

When choosing a frame color, be careful that the frame color isn't too similar to the wall color or the frame will disappear into the wall.

Generally, the frame color should be different from the mat color. Similarly colored frames and mats draw attention to themselves, and away from the image. See Matting Tips for information about choosing a mat color.

Frame Style

Be careful not to "over-frame" an image with a frame that's too wide or too busy. Ornate frame designs combined with busy, intricate art can create a confusing, crowded feeling. On the other hand, busy renaissance or baroque images look best with intricate, antique-looking frames.

Frame Composition

Just like any custom shop, our frames come in a variety of materials — solid wood with various finishes, metal, molded plastic, and composites with various printed faux veneers. The reality is that it's the finished look that matters, and unless you are looking at a cross section, it's often hard to tell what material a frame is made of. We offer several types of frames with their component materials noted onscreen.

Match a Framed Print You Already Own

It may not be possible to find an exact match for a frame you already own. An exact duplicate isn't necessary to create a harmonious set, and many designers avoid exact matches on principle. However, you should try to match the basic style and color. For example, a medium-width gold frame with a rope design will match a medium-width gold frame with a floral or beaded design. Matching color alone, and ignoring size, can be beautiful. For example, match a wide, glossy black frame with a medium-width glossy black frame. On the other hand, intentionally mismatching frames is a fundamental rule in eclectic décor style.

Anything Goes

It's hard to make generalized rules about a creative process like framing. The final word is this: if you like it, it's probably a good choice for your print.

Still, you should feel confident picking out a frame on our site:

Each piece of art on our site has recommended frames and mats selected for it by our in-house framing experts. Start with these suggestions and make changes to suit your own décor. For an added measure of confidence, you can call us to discuss your mat choices with our free Second Opinion Service. Call toll-free (888) 686-4254. Finally, if you aren't completely satisfied with your choice of art, frame or mat, return it to us for a full refund.