Picture frames seem like the simplest purchase in a home, which is why so many people get them wrong. They buy a frame for a photo that does not fit, or choose one that overpowers the picture, or hang a heavy frame with one nail. A few quick checks keep that from happening.
Start with the picture, not the frame
Measure what you are framing. Standard photo sizes are 4×6, 5×7, 8×10 and 11×14 inches, and diploma and certificate frames are usually 8.5×11 inches. If your document or photo is a non-standard size, you either need a custom frame or a mat to fill the difference.
A rule of thumb: pick the frame size for the picture, then decide on a mat. A mat is the cardboard border between the picture and the frame, and it adds breathing room. Mats make small photos look more substantial and keep the picture from touching the glass, which prevents sticking over time.
Glass or acrylic
| Glass | Acrylic | |
|---|---|---|
| Clarity | Excellent | Very good |
| Weight | Heavy | Light |
| Scratch resistance | High | Low |
| Shatter risk | Yes | No |
| Best for | Small to medium frames, tabletop | Large frames, kids’ rooms |
Small frames are better with real glass, since it is clearer and does not scratch when you clean it. The rustic solid wood 2-pack in 4×6 and 5×7 has real glass and a smooth board at the back, and costs about $13 for the pair. The frames stand on a tabletop either vertically or horizontally, and hang on a wall with the included hardware, which makes them flexible.
Wood finishes
The finish does a lot of work in a frame.
- Torched or carbonized dark brown or black: a rustic look that suits farmhouse, boho and industrial rooms. It goes well with black-and-white photos.
- Weathered white or gray: a soft, relaxed look. It suits coastal and cottage rooms.
- Natural wood: light and warm. Good for modern and Scandinavian rooms.
The color should either match other wood in the room or contrast with it on purpose. A nearly matching color looks like a mistake.
Diploma and certificate frames
Frames for documents have different needs. Documents are larger, they are often irreplaceable, and they hang for years.
- Size: most diplomas and certificates are 8.5×11 inches, but university diplomas can be larger, so check yours.
- Protection: glass keeps dust and moisture away. UV-filtering glass or acrylic prevents fading, if you can find it.
- Backing: acid-free backing prevents yellowing.
- Hanging: a frame that can both stand and hang is flexible if you move offices.
The 8.5×11 diploma and certificate frames in a 2-pack come in a carbonized black finish with polished glass and a backboard stand, at about $19 for the pair. Two frames means one can hold a diploma and the other a license or an award, so they match.
Photo displays: when one frame is not enough
If you have a lot of photos, a multi-photo display gives more for the space.
- Clip strings and wall grids: photos hang from clips on strings, so you can swap them freely.
- Photo trees: a tabletop or floor tree with clips on each arm shows photos on all sides.
- Hinged collage frames: several photos in one folding frame.
The 5-foot photo display tree has 90 clips and shows over 180 photos, since both sides of each clip can hold a picture. It rotates 360 degrees and costs about $50. It is the answer for a family with years of photos and a wedding or graduation party to fill.
Clip displays are best for casual photos you want to rotate. For a photo that matters, choose a proper frame with glass.
Planning a gallery wall
A gallery wall looks organized when you plan it, and chaotic when you do not.
- Pick a theme. Black-and-white photos, family portraits, travel, or all one frame color.
- Cut paper templates. Trace each frame on paper, tape them to the wall, and move them around.
- Space evenly. 2 to 3 inches between frames looks tidy.
- Anchor with a large piece. Start with the biggest frame near the center, then work outward.
- Hang at eye level. The center of the whole arrangement should be around 57 to 60 inches from the floor.
- Use the right hardware. Heavier frames need a stud or an anchor, not a nail in drywall.
Table or wall
Some frames do both. A frame with a backboard stand and a hanging loop is the more flexible option, because you can switch from a shelf to a wall without buying another one. Check the back before you commit. A stand that is too short makes a frame lean back too far, and one that is too long makes it tip.
Caring for frames and photos
- Keep photos out of direct sun, which fades prints in a few years.
- Clean glass with a cloth lightly dampened with glass cleaner, never sprayed straight on.
- Dust wood frames with a dry cloth.
- Replace photos you want to keep with copies, and store the originals in a dry place.
What to avoid
Skip frames with a flimsy cardboard back, because it bends and lets dust in. Skip anything that cannot be opened from the back, since you will want to swap photos. And skip extra-heavy frames on adhesive hooks, however confident the packaging looks: a frame that falls breaks its own glass.
Buying as a gift
Frames are a good gift when the photo comes with them. Frame a favorite picture and add a short note. For a graduate, a diploma frame with a stand is both useful and personal. For a wedding or new baby, a set of matching 4×6 and 5×7 frames is more thoughtful than a single large one.
Mats and heavy frames
Should I use a mat?
For photos smaller than the frame opening, yes. A mat gives the photo a border and keeps it off the glass. For a full-bleed print the same size as the frame, no mat is needed.
How do I hang a heavy frame straight?
Use two hooks, set the same height apart, and check with a level on the frame’s top edge. A single nail lets the frame tilt.
The short version
Choose the size for the photo, real glass for small frames, a finish that suits the room, and a display style that matches how many photos you have. For more sizes and finishes, browse our picture frames.