Large Picture Frames Materials

Customizing large picture frames is a fantastic way to turn a piece of art or a treasured photo into a statement-making focal point for a room. Whether you’re working with a new frame or upcycling an old one, the possibilities are vast.

If you have a large or uniquely sized piece of art, our professional framing service is often the best option. We can ensure a perfect fit and high-quality, long-lasting results. Our services offer a wide range of customization options:

Choose from various types of wood (e.g., oak, walnut, distressed), metal (e.g., aluminum, steel), or composite materials.

Beyond just the frame materials, our professional service provides an extensive selection of styles and finishes. You can choose from sleek, modern options like polished or brushed metals. Or opt for more traditional looks with ornate carvings or distressed finishes for a vintage feel. We can also custom-paint frames to perfectly match any specific color in your decor.

To further enhance your piece, we offer a wide array of matting options. A custom-cut mat can create a visual buffer that makes the artwork stand out. And we have countless colors, textures, and thicknesses available. For optimal protection, our professional glazing includes specialty glass. Such as anti-reflective and UV-protective options, which shield your piece from harmful light and glare. These choices ensure your cherished art is not only beautifully displayed but also preserved for years to come.

Large Picture Frames Styles and Finishes

Selecting the perfect style and finish is crucial for transforming large picture frames into a bespoke work of art that complements your space. Beyond the basic polished, matte, and distressed options. We offer a vast palette of possibilities. Our experts can help you choose from finishes that range from sleek and modern to richly textured and classic. A high-gloss lacquer finish, for example, delivers a vibrant, contemporary look that makes a bold statement. But for an understated elegance, a soft matte finish minimizes glare and brings focus to the artwork itself.

We also specialize in custom color matching. Allowing us to paint your frame in any specific hue to seamlessly integrate with your existing decor. For a touch of opulence, consider a metallic finish. From genuine gold and silver leaf to rich, burnished copper or antique bronze. Alternatively, a distressed or weathered finish can add character and a story to the frame. This is achieved through techniques like layered paint with sanding or applying a specialized antiquing glaze. These bespoke finishing touches ensure your large picture frame is not just a border, but a true part of your room’s design narrative.

Large Picture Frames Matting Options

Matting is a key element in professional large picture framing, creating crucial visual space that elevates the artwork. We offer a vast selection of mat boards in countless colors, from crisp white to vibrant hues, ensuring a perfect complement to your piece. Beyond color, you can choose from various textures like linen or suede, adding a tactile dimension. Our customization extends to thickness and layering; you can stack multiple mats to create a stepped, dimensional effect or use a contrasting inner layer to define the art’s edge. Precision-cut bevels and unique openings are also available, expertly designed to focus attention and truly enhance the piece.

Picture Frame Glass/Glazing

Selecting the right glazing for large picture frames is critical for both the longevity and presentation of your artwork. Our professional service offers a range of specialty glass options designed to protect and enhance your framed piece. High-quality UV-protective glass is essential for preserving valuable art and photos, as it blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that cause colors to fade and materials to degrade over time. For optimal viewing, we recommend anti-reflective glass, which is expertly engineered to minimize distracting glare from lights and windows, ensuring your art can be admired clearly from any angle without obstruction. These upgrades provide superior protection and a pristine display.

Conservation Framing

For irreplaceable or historically significant pieces, conservation framing is a vital investment in their longevity. This specialized process goes far beyond standard framing to ensure your artwork is preserved for generations. We utilize only certified acid-free materials, including archival mat boards, backing, and mounting tapes, to prevent the irreversible yellowing, brittleness, and “acid burn” that can occur with conventional materials. Our techniques focus on creating a stable, reversible, and protective environment for the artwork, safeguarding it from environmental damage and chemical deterioration. This meticulous approach provides invaluable peace of mind, ensuring your most treasured pieces remain in pristine condition.

Large Picture Frames Customization Ideas

A hands-on approach to customizing a large picture frame allows for a unique, personal touch that mass-produced items can’t match. By using paint and different finishes, you can completely transform a simple frame into a bespoke piece that perfectly suits your style.

Color Blocking

This technique involves painting distinct, separate sections of the frame in two or more contrasting or complementary colors. To achieve clean, sharp lines, use high-quality painter’s tape to meticulously section off the areas. For a bold, modern statement, try pairing a neutral color like charcoal gray with a vibrant pop of yellow or teal. Alternatively, a sophisticated look can be created by using different shades of the same color, such as a light and dark blue, to add subtle visual interest without being overpowering. The result is a graphic, architectural aesthetic that brings a contemporary feel to any room.

Ombre Effect

The ombre effect creates a stunning, seamless gradient of color across the frame. Start with your lightest shade on one side and gradually blend in the darker color as you move across the frame’s surface. This can be done by mixing small amounts of paint to create intermediary shades or by simply blending the two main colors with a sponge or a dry brush while the paint is still wet. The soft transition from one hue to another creates a tranquil, elegant look. For a classic feel, try a progression from white to a deep navy, or for something more earthy, move from a pale cream to a rich terracotta.

Metallic Accents

Adding metallic details is a simple way to introduce a sense of luxury and sophistication. You can apply genuine gold, silver, or copper leaf for an authentic, antiqued shimmer, or use metallic spray paint or acrylics for a more uniform shine. Experiment with applying the metallic finish only to the innermost edge of the frame to elegantly outline the artwork, or use it on the outer corners to catch the light and draw the eye. A single metallic stripe along the frame’s outer rim can also provide a subtle yet striking contrast against a matte or dark-colored base.

Distressed Look Large Picture Frames

A distressed finish gives a frame a sense of history and character, perfect for rustic, vintage, or shabby-chic decor. The process typically involves painting a base color first—often a dark or contrasting shade—and letting it dry completely. Then, apply a second, lighter top coat. Once the top coat is dry, use sandpaper to carefully scuff and wear away the paint on the corners, edges, and raised details, revealing the base color underneath. This technique creates a beautifully weathered and lived-in appearance, making the frame look like a cherished heirloom.

Add Texture and Materials

Adding texture and found materials to a large picture frame is a fantastic way to give it a one-of-a-kind character, transforming it from a simple border into a tactile work of art. This approach allows you to reflect your personal style and creativity directly onto the frame’s surface.

Rope or Twine

This is a straightforward yet highly effective way to create a natural, organic look. Simply secure the end of the rope or twine to the back of the frame with a strong adhesive or staple gun. Then, tightly wrap the material around the entire frame, working slowly and pushing the strands together to eliminate gaps. Once you reach the end, secure it firmly on the back. For a rustic feel, use thick jute or sisal rope. For a more subtle, delicate look, opt for thin, natural-colored twine. This texture adds a coastal, nautical, or warm, earthy vibe depending on the material chosen.

Fabric Wrapping

Covering a frame in fabric is a wonderful opportunity to use leftover textiles and tie your frame into a room’s decor. Choose a fabric with an interesting texture, like soft velvet for a luxurious feel or coarse burlap for a rustic touch. For a bold statement, use a vibrant, patterned cloth. Cut the fabric to size, leaving enough to wrap over the edges, and use a strong fabric glue or spray adhesive to carefully adhere it to the frame’s surface. Smooth out any wrinkles and neatly fold the corners like a gift box for a clean finish.

Found Objects

This is where your creativity can truly shine. Collect small, meaningful objects—whether from nature or an antique shop—and use them to embellish your frame. Ideas include flat-backed seashells and sea glass from a beach trip, pebbles, vintage keys, old coins, or even colorful mosaic tiles. Use a robust adhesive like E6000 glue to secure each item to the frame’s surface. For a cohesive aesthetic, consider painting the entire frame and its applied objects in a single color, like white or metallic gold, to create a stunning, unified sculptural piece.

Wood Veneer or Reclaimed Wood Large Picture Frames

To completely change the material and feel of an existing frame, consider applying thin pieces of wood veneer or reclaimed wood scraps. This project requires some precision with a craft knife or small saw to cut the wood to fit the frame’s width. You can apply thin strips in a simple horizontal pattern or get more creative with a herringbone or chevron design. Secure the pieces using strong wood glue and small brads or pins. This technique can transform a standard frame into a beautiful, warm, and natural piece that celebrates the rich grain and character of wood.

Change the Purpose of a Large Picture Frame