9 CREATIVE WAYS TO RETHINK FRAMING

We spend so much time talking about the art: the photograph, the drawing, the little moment we wanted to keep forever. But I’m just as obsessed with how it’s framed. A frame is more than a border. It can carry its own mood, tell a side story, add texture, or bring in color in a way that feels personal and married to its surroundings.

Here are nine ways I love to give frames a little more personality:

1. Wrap the mat in wallpaper or fabric

I love this because it’s such a sneaky way to tell a second story. Maybe you’ve got fabric from a dress you wore in college, your sheets from your grandma’s guest bedroom that you slept in growing up, or a random fabric you thrifted just because you loved it’s print. Wrap your mat in it and suddenly the frame has a memory baked in. I especially love pairing a busier print with something very simple inside: a black and white photo, a pencil sketch, even a handwritten recipe, so the mat can really shine.

Tip: I’m always hunting wallpaper samples online. They’re inexpensive, and one sheet is usually enough for a standard mat. Even if you’re not framing art, the wallpaper itself can become the art and elevate a simple frame.

2. Hang it from a chain or rod

This is one of those tiny tweaks that changes everything. Instead of a standard picture hook, hang your frame from a metal chain for a more sculptural feel. You can mount the chain directly to the wall or ceiling. Or if you want to take it a step further, suspend it from a drapery rod or even a vintage bar you’ve found. The extra hardware gives it presence: suddenly it’s sculpture, not just a picture. I love this trick for filling awkward wall spaces or adding height when you don’t have tall furniture in that area.

3. Paint the frame or mat

This is such an easy and affordable way to elevate a simple picture frame. You can paint a pattern on the frame or the mat, give it a solid color, or match it exactly to the paint color of the wall it’s hanging on for a floating effect. If you go bold with a pop of color, pull from something already in the room: maybe a pillow, a coffee table book, or a vase, so it feels connected.

If you’re going for a pattern, try stripes, checks, diamonds, etc. It’s a playful way to bring color into your space without committing to a big, messy project.

Tip: Skip the craft store paints and head to your local paint shop. A small paint sample jar is usually under $10 and will last for multiple projects, so you can experiment without spending much.

4. Hang it with a bow

This one is pure cuteness. Tie a wide ribbon to the back of your frame and hang it so the bow sits above it. It feels old worldly and romantic, like something you’d see in a Paris apartment. I love it for a powder room, a little reading corner, or anywhere you want a softer, more feminine touch.

5. The whole frame is art

Sometimes I treat the frame and mat like they are the artwork. You can let color and shape spill across everything: frame, mat, and the piece inside, so it all feels like one big, cohesive composition.

Tip: Use the same paint sample jar trick as in number three so you can choose your exact color and keep costs low.

6. Cut the mat into a custom shape

If you’ve ever looked at a frame and thought, “This is nice, but it needs a change,” this is it. Cut your mat opening into a scallop, wave, or a quirky shape. It adds such a subtle personality shift. I like pairing a playful mat shape with minimal art or black and white photograph inside so the cutout is the thing you notice first.

Tip: you can use colored cardstock or textured scrapbooking paper instead of a traditional mat, especially if the art or photograph you’re framing doesn’t fit a standard size.

7. Use a beautiful piece of wood or another material as your base

Frames don’t have to be frames. A single piece of wood with gorgeous grain or a brass sheet can be the whole backdrop. I’ve mounted art directly onto salvaged wood panels before, leaving a little extra breathing room around it, and it feels so tactile and grounded. You can even place it off center for a quirky and more unique look for your space.

9. Frame-on-frame layering

This is my favorite for large wall spaces. I’ll take a large frame, give its background a texture or color: wallpaper, limewash, even linen fabric, then mount a smaller framed piece or two inside it. It’s instant depth and drama, especially in tall, large areas. It’s also a great way to make a small piece feel more substantial, or to give two smaller frames that belong together a shared stage. Maybe it’s a diptych: two images that were meant to live side by side, or just a tiny frame that deserves a moment of its own. The layering makes them feel more important and gives it a special spotlight on a bigger wall without having to add much else around it.

Images in this post were sourced from Pinterest, and in some cases the original artist’s name wasn’t listed. If you are, or know, the original creator, feel free to message me and I’ll gladly update this post to credit them properly.