Using picture frames in interior design

Using picture frames in interior design

Picture frames are one of the easiest ways to personalise a home. They can add colour, texture, contrast and meaning to a room without needing a full redesign.

Whether you are displaying family photographs, art prints, posters, certificates, children’s artwork or sentimental keepsakes, the right frame can help tie a room together and make your walls feel finished.

In interior design, picture frames can be used to:

• Add a focal point to a room
• Bring colour into a neutral space
• Create a gallery wall
• Match existing furniture and décor
• Display personal memories
• Add structure to empty walls
• Make artwork look more professional
• Balance modern and traditional styles

A well-chosen picture frame should complement both the image inside it and the room around it.

Why picture frames matter in home décor

A picture frame is not just a border around an image. It affects how the artwork is seen and how it fits into the rest of the room.

A black frame can make a print look bold and modern. A white frame can make a room feel lighter and softer. A wood frame can add warmth and texture. A gold frame can create a more traditional or decorative finish.

The frame also helps control the mood of the wall. A row of matching frames can feel clean and organised, while a mixed collection of frames can feel more relaxed and personal.

This makes picture frames a useful interior design tool for almost every room in the home.

Using picture frames in interior design

Choosing picture frames to match your interior style

The best picture frame depends on your décor style, wall colour, furniture and the artwork itself.

Modern interiors

Modern rooms often suit simple frames with clean lines. Black, white, silver and slim wood frames are popular choices because they feel neat and understated.

For a modern look, try:

• Thin black picture frames
• White frames with white mounts
• Large statement prints
• Simple gallery walls
• Minimalist artwork
• Monochrome photography

Keep spacing even and avoid overly decorative frame styles unless you want a deliberate contrast.

Traditional interiors

Traditional rooms can handle warmer and more decorative frame choices. Wood, gold, antique-style and wider frames often work well.

For a traditional look, try:

• Gold picture frames
• Dark wood frames
• Framed landscapes
• Family portraits
• Certificates and awards
• Symmetrical wall layouts

A mount can help make prints and photos look more formal and polished.

Scandinavian and minimalist interiors

Scandinavian and minimalist interiors usually work best with light, simple frames. White, natural oak and slim black frames are good choices.

For this style, try:

• Natural wood frames
• White picture frames
• Light neutral mounts
• Botanical prints
• Line drawings
• Soft photography
• Balanced spacing

The aim is to keep the room calm, bright and uncluttered.

Industrial interiors

Industrial interiors often include darker colours, metal, brick, concrete and strong textures. Black frames work especially well here.

For an industrial look, try:

• Matt black frames
• Metal-effect frames
• Graphic prints
• Architectural photography
• Typography posters
• Large framed posters

The frame should feel strong enough to match the character of the room.

Rustic and country interiors

Rustic and country-style rooms often suit wood frames, textured finishes and warmer tones.

For a rustic look, try:

• Oak-effect frames
• Natural wood frames
• Dark wood frames
• Floral prints
• Landscape artwork
• Family photographs
• Vintage-style posters

Wood frames help add warmth and make framed pieces feel more relaxed and homely.

Best frame colours for interior design

Frame colour is one of the most important choices when styling a room.

Black picture frames

Black frames are bold, smart and versatile. They create strong contrast and work well in modern, industrial and monochrome interiors.

Black frames are ideal for:

• Gallery walls
• Posters
• Photography
• Certificates
• Typography prints
• Modern art prints
• White or pale walls

They are especially useful when you want the frame to stand out and give the wall more structure.

White picture frames

White frames create a softer, lighter look. They work well in bright rooms, coastal interiors, bedrooms, nurseries and minimalist spaces.

White frames are ideal for:

• Light artwork
• Pastel prints
• Children’s rooms
• Botanical prints
• Soft photography
• Pale walls
• Calm neutral interiors

They can blend into the wall more than black frames, creating a cleaner and more subtle finish.

Wood picture frames

Wood frames add warmth and texture. They are one of the best choices for homes with natural materials, neutral colour schemes or traditional furniture.

Wood frames are ideal for:

• Family photos
• Landscape prints
• Nature artwork
• Botanical prints
• Rustic interiors
• Scandinavian interiors
• Warm neutral rooms

Natural wood frames are also useful when you want the artwork to feel softer and less formal.

Gold picture frames

Gold frames can make a room feel more decorative and elegant. They work well with vintage prints, traditional artwork, dark wall colours and warm interiors.

Gold frames are ideal for:

• Statement artwork
• Portraits
• Vintage-style prints
• Traditional rooms
• Dark floral prints
• Decorative interiors
• Feature walls

Gold is best used carefully, either as a statement frame or as part of a planned colour scheme.

Should picture frames match in a room?

Picture frames do not always need to match, but they should feel intentional.

Matching frames create a clean, organised look. This works well for gallery walls, staircases, hallways, home offices and modern interiors.

Mixed frames create a more relaxed and collected look. This can work well in living rooms, bedrooms and eclectic interiors.

If you want to mix frames, try keeping one thing consistent, such as:

• Similar frame colours
• Similar frame widths
• Similar mount colours
• Similar artwork style
• A repeated material, such as wood or black metal
• A consistent spacing between frames

This helps the display feel designed rather than random.

Using mounts in interior design

A mount is the card border that sits between the image and the frame. It can make framed artwork look more professional and give the image more space.

Mounts are useful because they can:

• Make a small print feel larger
• Create a cleaner gallery-style finish
• Add space around detailed artwork
• Help a frame fit a particular wall
• Make photos and certificates look more polished
• Stop the image from feeling cramped

White and off-white mounts are the most popular because they work with most images and interiors.

For a dramatic look, a black mount can work well with black-and-white photography, music prints and bold modern artwork.

Picture frames for living rooms

The living room is often the best place for larger framed prints, family photos or a feature gallery wall.

Popular living room framing ideas include:

• A large framed print above the sofa
• A pair of matching frames above a sideboard
• A gallery wall around the television
• Family photographs in matching frames
• Statement artwork above a fireplace
• Framed travel photos on a feature wall

For living rooms, choose frames that connect with the furniture. For example, black frames can tie in with black light fittings or hardware, while wood frames can match wooden furniture or flooring.

Picture frames for hallways and staircases

Hallways and staircases are ideal for framed photo displays because they are spaces people pass through every day.

Good hallway framing ideas include:

• A row of matching family photos
• A staircase gallery wall
• Framed travel pictures
• A mix of A4 and A3 frames
• Black-and-white photography
• Children’s artwork in matching frames

Because hallways can be narrow, slim frames and lighter mounts often work well. Keep the layout organised so the space does not feel cluttered.

Picture frames for bedrooms

Bedrooms usually suit calmer, more personal framed displays. The aim is to create a space that feels comfortable rather than busy.

Bedroom framing ideas include:

• Soft landscape prints
• Wedding photos
• Family photographs
• Botanical artwork
• Minimalist line drawings
• Matching frames above bedside tables
• A large print above the bed

White, wood and slim black frames often work well in bedrooms. Softer images and neutral mounts can help keep the room restful.

Picture frames for home offices

Picture frames can make a home office feel more professional and personal.

Home office framing ideas include:

• Framed certificates
• Qualifications and awards
• Motivational prints
• Photography
• Company branding
• Personal achievement displays
• Framed maps or plans

Black, silver and wood frames are popular choices for workspaces because they look smart without being distracting.

Picture frames for kitchens and dining rooms

Kitchens and dining rooms are often overlooked, but framed prints can add warmth and personality.

Ideas for kitchens and dining rooms include:

• Typography prints
• Recipe prints
• Food photography
• Botanical artwork
• Vintage advertising prints
• Family photos
• Small gallery walls

Choose frames that suit the room’s finishes. Black frames can work well with black handles or appliances, while wood frames can soften white or neutral kitchens.

Creating a gallery wall with picture frames

Gallery walls are one of the most popular ways to use picture frames in interior design. They allow you to combine several photos, prints or artworks in one display.

A good gallery wall should feel balanced, even if the frames are different sizes.

To create a gallery wall:

• Choose a theme or colour palette
• Decide whether frames will match or mix
• Lay the design out on the floor first
• Keep spacing consistent
• Use a central frame as an anchor
• Mix portrait and landscape orientations
• Avoid overcrowding the wall
• Measure before hanging

Black frames create a bold gallery wall, white frames create a softer look, and wood frames create a warmer, more natural display.

Large picture frames as statement pieces

A large picture frame can act as the main feature in a room. This works especially well above a sofa, bed, fireplace, sideboard or desk.

Large frames are ideal for:

• Art prints
• Posters
• Photography
• Abstract artwork
• Maps
• Textile pieces
• Statement wall art

When using a large frame, think about scale. A frame that is too small can look lost on a large wall, while a frame that is too large can overwhelm the room.

As a general guide, artwork above furniture should feel connected to the furniture below it, not floating too far away or squeezed into the space.

Small picture frames and shelf styling

Not every frame needs to be hung on a wall. Smaller frames can be styled on shelves, sideboards, desks, mantelpieces and bedside tables.

Small frames are good for:

• Family photos
• Pet photos
• Small prints
• Postcards
• Travel memories
• Children’s artwork
• Personal keepsakes

For a relaxed look, lean frames against the wall rather than hanging them. You can layer different sizes together to create depth.

How to choose the right frame size

The right frame size depends on the picture, the mount and the wall space.

Common frame sizes include A4, A3 and A2, as well as standard photo sizes such as 6×4, 7×5, 8×10 and 10×12 inches.

As a simple guide:

• Use smaller frames for shelves, desks and gallery walls
• Use A4 frames for certificates, small prints and family photos
• Use A3 frames for medium wall art and posters
• Use A2 frames for larger statement prints
• Use made-to-measure frames for unusual sizes

If you want to add a mount, the outer frame will usually need to be larger than the image.

Interior design mistakes to avoid with picture frames

One common mistake is choosing frames that are too small for the wall. A tiny frame on a large empty wall can look lost.

Another mistake is hanging frames too high. As a general rule, artwork should be placed at a comfortable viewing height, especially in living rooms, hallways and bedrooms.

Other mistakes include:

• Using too many different frame styles without a plan
• Choosing frame colours that clash with the room
• Hanging frames unevenly
• Ignoring the size of the furniture below
• Forgetting to use mounts where needed
• Overcrowding gallery walls
• Choosing frames before measuring the artwork
• Using frames that overpower delicate prints

A little planning can make a framed display look much more professional.

Picture frames and colour schemes

Frames can help connect colours across a room.

For example, black frames can tie in with black handles, curtain poles, lamps or furniture legs. Wood frames can echo wooden floors, tables or shelving. Gold frames can match brass lighting, handles or decorative accessories.

The artwork itself can also repeat colours from cushions, rugs, curtains or furniture. This helps the framed piece feel like part of the room rather than an afterthought.

Made-to-measure frames for interior design

Standard frames are useful for common sizes, but made-to-measure picture frames are ideal when you want a more tailored look.

Made-to-measure framing is useful for:

• Unusual print sizes
• Large statement artwork
• Gallery wall planning
• Matching existing frames
• Certificates and awards
• Limited edition prints
• Interior design projects
• Commercial spaces
• Artwork that needs a mount

A custom frame allows you to choose the size, colour, moulding, mount and finish so the final piece works properly in the room.

Interior design with picture frames: final advice

Picture frames are a simple but powerful part of interior design. They can make a room feel more personal, more finished and more connected.

As a simple guide:

• Choose black frames for contrast and modern style
• Choose white frames for a light, soft finish
• Choose wood frames for warmth and texture
• Choose gold frames for a decorative or traditional look
• Use mounts for a cleaner gallery-style finish
• Use large frames for statement walls
• Use matching frames for a tidy, organised look
• Use mixed frames for a relaxed, collected style
• Use made-to-measure frames for unusual sizes or special artwork

The best picture frames should suit the artwork, the room and the feeling you want to create.

Need help choosing picture frames for your home?

If you are using picture frames as part of your interior design, Boldon Framing can help you choose the right size, colour, mount and finish.

Whether you need black picture frames, white picture frames, wood frames, gold frames, frames with mounts or made-to-measure picture frames, we can help create framed pieces that look right in your home and are ready to display.

Need help choosing the correct artwork for your design ideas, King and McGaw hold a huge selection that will undoubtedly have the right one for you.