6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames


We both head to Michaels craft store at least 1-2x per month. Some of our favoriteย Michaels items include their basket selection, faux florals, and their amazing variety of picture frames. If we’re heading to the store the chances that a new frame hops into our cart is pretty high.6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

But who doesn’t love picture frames? To us they’re the perfect way to showcase your favorite photos, quotes, and art and also add dimension and layers to a space. But you don’t just need to riddle every surface with picture frames (more on that “no-no” in this post), instead you can get creative and try one of these 6 ways to add frames into your own home.

1. Display On ShelvesDisplays vary! 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

We each use picture frames on our built-ins, but we use them sparingly. If every single shelf had a frame on it, then we wouldn’t be able to achieve the minimal, yet collected, look we love!Use a shelf: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY PlaybookWe use frames in the back of our built-ins to add depth and create a layered look. Plus it’s a great way to show off special photos (like our wedding day!) and meaningful objects (like our crafty key display).ย Shelves make it look natural 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

If you’re looking to add some frames to your shelves, be sure to start with a specific color scheme (black & white, or white & wood tones, etc.) so you can create a cohesive look.
Cohesion is easy to achieve: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY PlaybookThen pair your favorite frames with other decor of all shapes and sizes. This mix & match of frames and other objects will make your shelves look stylish, but will also help you display some of your favorite memories amongst the decor.

2. Hang Above Your NightstandsNightstands are a great place for frames: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

I recently swapped out the white frames above our nightstands with these sleek black frames from Michaels.ย Propping them up is a quick way to decorate: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

After adding our new black ceiling fan, I was itching to incorporate more black throughout the space.ย You can hang them for more emphasis though: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

This simple swap added the perfect touch of black to the space, and makes the quotes and framed letter stand out even more!ย They can tie a space togetherPlus, adding these frames on the wall just about the nightstand frees up some space on your nightstand to store your nightly essentials (or other favorite decor pieces).

3. Try Picture LedgesPicture ledges are all the rage: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

You guys know all about my love for our picture ledges from Ikea. They add some much-needed height above our desk area, and I am constantly swapping out the frames and pictures for a new look.
Use picture ledges

For this area, I kept it simple with black and white frames, and I always try to go with thick mats for a more sophisticated look. Having a few extra mats on hand make my frames a lot more versatile and gives me far more options in displaying pictures we have around the house. I will forever be tweaking this area and love that changing things around doesn’t mean putting holes in the wall!

4. Display in a HallwayA Hallway can make things more cohesive: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

I added these white Michaels frames along my hallway a few years ago and I can confidently say that this project isย definitely in myย top ten projects that I’ve ever done in this house. It’s such a simple upgrade, but it makes such a difference and adds style into a place of our home that otherwise wouldn’t have much.
They draw the eye down the hallway: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY PlaybookI framed photos of our travels and walking past/looking at these memories makes me smile everyday (and daydream about our future trips!). If you have a hallway in need of a little love, adding some frames could be an affordable option to add a little life to it!

5. Create a Gallery

Who doesn’t love a good gallery wall?! Putting smaller, inexpensive frames together to create one big impactful space is always a winning combo.

A Gallery is a great way to display frames: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

We know that art/prints can be pricey so we splurged on the art, but then opted to frame it ourselves using these inexpensive frames from Michaels. We had to cut some of the art down to fit inside the frames, but we saved a LOT of money by framing them ourselves.ย Frames can fill a space: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

For the gallery wall we designed in Bridget’s sister’s nursery, we decided to go with all white frames on top of the gray wallpaper. This allowed us to add some colorful touches with the art, as each piece really popped off the neutral wall & frames. Plus when B’s nephew grows out of these prints (and his nursery), the frames can transition with him to his “big boy” or eventually “teenage” room!

For more tips on hanging a gallery wall (& tips to make it baby proof!) be sure to check out this post.

6. Add Visual HeightThey create visual height: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

I justย bought these inexpensive black frames from Michaels and added them above the shelving unit in our new office to add some visual height (more details about these office updates coming soon!).ย Add great visual height: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

These frames were less than $10 each on sale (I couldn’t believe it either!). They came with mats already included, which I love because I was looking for something simple and sleek and the white mats really help with that.

This draws the eye up: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY PlaybookAt first I couldn’t decide what photos/art to add to them, but eventually decided on black and white travel photosย because I needed something that didn’t seem too busy or colorful in this space. I may swap them out with art or photos of our families, but getting something in the frames that we loved was a good start!The room feels taller: 6 Ways to Decorate with Picture Frames | DIY Playbook

The whole room feels taller thanks to these frames and I couldn’t be more excited about the new (and inexpensive) look!

Bridget&Casey


The Year of Casey

Hey there!

Iโ€™m Casey Finn, the voice behind The DIY Playbook. I’m a Chicago gal teaching you how to design, DIY, and maintain your home…by yourself! Learn more about me right here.