The hardest part about choosing and buying beautiful art is when it comes to framing it. Framing doesn’t mean hanging pictures or artwork. A frame can anchor your painting or picture and tie it to the room’s decor. Going to a frame shop to buy a frame can be overwhelming. There are many styles and sizes to choose from when it comes to frames.

Unframed artwork is another matter. How can you choose the right frame for your painting? When choosing a frame, there are many factors you need to take into consideration. This article will help you choose the right frame for your art piece. While your taste and subjectivity play an important role in framing decisions, these are some basic considerations to make before you start –

Framing components

Material

There are many options for frames, but the most popular ones are made of wood, metal, or plastic. Every material is unique and can be made in different styles, colors, finishes, and prints.

You can choose from different metal frames: gold, silver, copper or tarnished. There are endless options for wood types, from bamboo to oak and pine, as well as a variety of finishes. You can polish, paint, varnish, stain, or leave them unfinished. You can also find plastics and glass in many colors and finishes, including glossy to matte.

Thickness

Another important aspect to consider is the frame’s thickness. Antique frames are often heavy, wide and elaborate. They are just as beautiful to behold as the pictures they frame.

Modern and contemporary frames tend to be thinner. They don’t try and steal the spotlight but let the artwork shine.

Decoration

While frames are usually rectangular or square, they can also be decorative. A decorative frame can be either ornate or even three-dimensional. You can find decorative frames in many shapes, colors, textures and materials. Contemporary interiors use decorative frames less often for large paintings and more frequently as photo frames.

Prints and patterns

Contemporary frames are not as common with prints and patterns as in the past. Frames were as intricate and meticulously made as before the modernist era. You could paint or carve frames with intricate patterns and prints. These decorative styles are not as common in contemporary galleries. However, a frame with a patterned frame and modern art can create an interesting visual tension.

Color

There are many colors available for frames. The most popular frame colors are white, black and cream. Popular choices include unpainted frames made of wood or metal frames made from gold and silver. It is equally important to choose a color as the material in which it will be used. A yellow-stained wooden frame will look very different from one made of yellow plastic. A thin, modern frame made of rusty gold may look great, but a wider, more traditional frame is timeless.

Glass

You must decide what type of glass you want for your artwork and pictures. There are many options available with different clarity and price points.

Picture glass, plain old picture glass, is good for most purposes. It’s also the most affordable option. Picture glass is usually only 2mm thick, or 1/16th of an inch thick. It is surprisingly strong and won’t crack if it is leaned on. Hang it high enough to keep it out of reach of children, elderly, and vulnerable people, as well as anyone else who might fall on it.

Let’s get framing!

Are you unsure if the right frame is right for your painting? This is a great way to check your framing decisions: take a step back and examine your artwork. You should instantly notice the dominant colors within an image. If the frame is what catches your attention first, it can overwhelm the artwork. A final tip: Choose a frame that complements your artwork but isn’t an exact match.