A frame should be more than just a hanging mechanism or a space filler on the wall. It should enhance the image by highlighting its colors, style, and overall appearance, while also complementing the room’s theme where it will be displayed.
To assist you in selecting the perfect frame for your artwork or photo, I have put together a helpful guide/checklist. If you are unsure about which frame to choose, feel free to give it a read.
Our goal is to frame each piece in a way that brings out its best qualities, while also ensuring it harmonizes with the surrounding elements in your home or office.
Questions to consider before you choose a frame.
Where am I going to hang the picture Frame?
It is very important to know exactly where you will hang it as the style and colour of the room must be considered when choosing a frame.
The frame style you select needs to work with the style of your image. For example, a black and white portrait would look sharp with a chunky, black or a sleek brushed nickel frame. In contrast, a full-color image of the whole family outdoors would work wonderfully with a natural wood frame.
Here are some rules which can help you;
- If you have an ultra-modern straight edge theme to your room especially if you have a modern office, you should be choosing frames which are flat and plain.
- If you have a French shabby look to your room, you should choose frames which have a white wash or pale gold frames. These frames are a beautiful soft accent to the very pastel colours of a French shabby theme.
- If you have a royal 1900s look to your room, stick to gold or silver frames with heavy details. It will add a very rich style to your room.
- If you have a tribal look to your room, go with frames that have a dark wood tone which look shabby and old. Those frames look like natural unrefined wood and complement a tribal feel to the home.
- If you have a beach theme room with natural materials, keep it consistent with natural shabby timber frames and light colours. Be inspired by nature.
Remember to always match the frame to the same colour of the wood stain as your furniture.
What is the accent colour in the image?
Choose an accent color in the image and work with it. For black and white images, stick to black or white frames with a matching matt board for a classic presentation. This ensures that no other color in the frame or matt board overshadows the image.
If your artwork has a dominant color, balance it out by adding a contrasting mount board. Identify the least prominent color in the artwork and use a mount board that matches that color. You can even use two mount boards to create depth.
To brighten up a dark image, use two mount boards, with the top one being darker and the other lighter. This will enhance the highlights in the image, giving it a brighter appearance.
What is the size of the wall that it will be hung on?
If you find the image is too small for the wall it will be hung on, you can increase the size by increasing the size of the mat board on the image.
What is the era of the image?
Choose a frame that looks as though it came from the same era as the art/image. This will ensure that it matches the artwork.
Make sure that your frame is scaled correctly for your image. I often see beautiful pictures in skimpy frames, which really takes away from the picture. Measure the width of your picture; your frame should be about 15%-20% of that. If you choose not to mount your images in any way make sure that your frame is scaled correctly to compensate for the matting.
Consider the background colour of your image when selecting mount boards. The goal is to create a complementary contrast with the background, rather than matching it.
Ensure that the width of the mount board is equal to or greater than the width of the frame to avoid overcrowding the artwork.
For added depth and interest, try spacing multiple mount boards when framing your image.
Once your beautiful artwork is framed, make sure to hang it in a visible location! I often see pictures hung at the wrong height. Artwork should be displayed at eye level for adults in the home. Typically, this means the center of the image should be around 170 cm above the finished floor. This applies to all photography and artwork, even oversized pieces (except for pictures above fireplaces, headboards, and in stairwells). What’s the point of having stunning images if they’re not within your line of sight?
