Category: Framing

3 Ways to Frame Your Favorite Instagram Snaps

Instagram has quickly become one of the most popular social media networks—and for good reason. The app is brimming with gorgeous images of anything you could ever imagine, from trees and flowers to fashion’s latest trends to architecture to portraits of daily life. If you’re an avid Instagram photographer, why not mine your profile for images you can frame? These photos can bring personal flair and a bit of sentimental value to your home’s décor.

Create a Gallery Wall

A gallery wall is a classic way to showcase your photos. Try white frames with white mats in odd numbered rows for a clean, crisp look. This timeless look is wonderful for showcasing color and black and white photos alike.

Get Creative with Your Framing

If you want something a bit more eclectic than the clean lines of an orderly gallery wall set in rows, get creative by mixing frame styles and sizes and hanging them at different angles from one another. The best way to create a cluster of frames is to arrange them on the floor first, to get the design right, and then hang them.

Take Your Photos off the Wall

If you’re really feeling adventurous and want to add some dimension to your space, try making a mobile. Use small frames with glass on both sides so that you can frame two photos back to back, ensuring that your mobile is gorgeous from any angle. Hang the frames from twine or another textured yet strong material. Hanging the frames at the same length in a straight line along a wall is an interesting way to create depth, while hanging them at different lengths and in a cluster can add some drama to your room.

Want more inspiration? Like Frame Warehouse on Facebook for more framing tips and tricks!

How Can Frames Add a Pop of Color to Your Home?

Color in the context of home décor is fascinating because it can say so much about who you are. Your style is reflected in the color palette you choose for your home, and there’s no better way to put this color palette on proud display than through frames. While frames are available in a long list of colors, you can use frames in unexpected ways that clearly showcase your personal style. The following are some fun ways to transform your frames and create unique pieces of décor.

Give your frames a makeover with a fresh coat of paint. Nothing pops like a brightly colored frame on a white wall. If you’re starting from scratch in the color department, it’s a great idea to visit your local paint store and use paint chips to create the perfect color palette for your home. If you already have a color palette in place, choose hues that fit with your current scheme. Painting all of the frames on a gallery wall one color, whether it’s a bright, bold hue or a more subdued one, is a chic way to use color in your space. Want a little more personality? Pair complementary colored frames hung in a pattern.
Remember: metallics are colors, too! Metallics are on trend right now, and there’s no better way to keep your frames fresh and your home décor up to date than with a can of spray paint—or with a trip to Frame Warehouse. Rose gold, gold, copper, and silver are all wonderful metallic options. Choose the one that fits best with your home’s current color scheme.
Play with color within your frames. Colorful mats are a playful way to bring a pop of personality into a room. Want a crisper look? Try all white frames with white mats and graphic, bold art pieces. While your frames will slide into the background, they’ll let the colors in your favorite art pieces really shine.

We’d love to see your finished work! Send photos of your colorful frames to Frame Warehouse on Facebook.

Kitchen Décor: How to Create an Inviting, Functional Space

Kitchen_Decor_How_to_Create_an_Inviting,_Functional_Space_(Image)

The kitchen is, as the saying goes, the heart of the home. Three meals a day, family gatherings, homework time after school—so many things happen in the kitchen. Why not create an inviting, functional space that you’ll enjoy while spending so many hours cooking, socializing, and bonding with your friends and family?

Add a personal touch with family heirlooms

That teapot your great-grandmother passed down to you? Don’t leave it in the cabinet! Showcase it on a shelf over your breakfast nook or in open or glass-faced cabinets. You can also display your favorite mugs and teacups by hanging them on hooks that are placed under your top cabinets. Since teapots and mugs are staples in most households, your personal décor touches will contribute to a functional living space.

Frame your favorite recipes

If you have handwritten recipes that have been passed down for generations, take them out of the recipe tin and proudly put them on display! These are wonderful pieces of family history that you can frame and hang in your kitchen. Since recipe cards are typically quite small, make a statement by using larger frames with mats.

Upgrade your flooring

Most of the time you spend in the kitchen is spent standing, so it’s important that, as part of a functional space, your kitchen’s floors are supportive enough to keep you comfortable as you cook. If you’re planning on remodeling, look for flooring that’s both beautiful and has a bit of give, which will be better on your knees and lower back. If you’re just giving your kitchen a quick update, choose a cushioned mat that’s easily cleaned and matches your kitchen’s color scheme.

We’d love to see photos of your updated kitchen! Like Frame Warehouse on Facebook and let us know how you’ve used our frames to create a comfortable yet functional living space.

How to Find the Perfect Frames for Art Prints

Whether a replica of your favorite Van Gogh or a screen print from the artist who lives around the block is your art print of choice, finding the right frame for your print is essential. Art prints are wonderful additions to your home because they bring a certain degree of character and personality to the space—and the right frame can help you tell your print’s story.

To Mat or Not to Mat?
First and foremost, you’ll want to choose the size of your frame. The size will largely depend on whether or not you’ll be matting the print. A mat is a thin piece of heavy paper that sits over the print and under the glass, creating a buffer between the print and the edge of the frame. If you are adding a mat, you’ll need a larger frame so that the mat doesn’t cover too much of the print.

Select Your Style
One of the most exciting aspects of choosing a new frame is deciding whether to go super modern, super traditional, or somewhere in between. Mixing modern and traditional elements can make a powerful artistic statement, but there’s definitely a lot to be said for keeping modern art prints in sleeker frames and prints of older art in more traditional, decorative frames. Try a few different options next to your print to see what speaks to you—and what best reflects your personal style.

Choose Your Color
The final step in the process is to choose the color of your frame (depending on the color availability of the frame style you’ve picked, this may be a pretty simple choice). Like the style of the frame, the frame’s color can share a strong message about your personal style. Want the print to shine? Choose a color within its palette. Want a bold look? Try a pop of color from the opposite side of the color wheel.

Framing your art prints can be an art in and of itself, and we’re happy to guide you through the many options that will come your way. Let us know how we can help!

3 Ways to Use Empty Frames

Frames are, in and of themselves, beautiful objects that can bring warmth and style to any space. While displaying pictures in frames is the most natural way to use them, why not get a little more creative?

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall
Housing mirrors in your empty frames is a wonderful way to create visual interest in a room. A cluster of small framed mirrors of different shapes and sizes can reflect the colors in your room and create a fantastic focal point. For something more dramatic, fill an oversized gold frame with a mirror and lean it against the wall. In addition to creating a chic feature in your home, it’ll make the room appear larger.

The Writing on the Wall
Add a chalk board to a medium sized empty frame and you can instantly create a fun feature for any room in your home. In the kitchen, your chalk board is the perfect place to write out the week’s menu, make a grocery list, and leave reminders for kids to grab their lunches before running out the door to catch the bus in the morning. In the living room, it’s a great place to play a family game of tic tac toe.

Put a Cork in It
Small frames can be difficult to fill—especially if you’re looking for a creative decorating solution that doesn’t involve filling them with photos. Instead of letting them go unused, spray paint them with pops of color that match your living room and use them to frame sheets of cork. These new coasters will delight houseguests and protect your furniture. Have bigger frames to fill? You can take the same concept and apply it on a larger scale to create fun pin boards for your kids’ rooms. Help them choose photos, mementos, and other items to display.

Getting creative with empty frames can be a fun way to bring unexpected style to your home—not to mention function! Check out our Facebook page and selection of frames for inspiration.

3 Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Frames

Spring has sprung! With warmer weather and blooming flowers comes spring cleaning. We’re excited to get our homes spotless to welcome the new season, and we’re particularly looking forward to showing our frames a little love.

Start by Dusting
No matter the size, shape, or material of a frame, it collects dust. Along the top, along the bottom—your frames can collect more dust than you might think. Start your spring cleaning routine by dusting all of your frames with a feather duster or microfiber cloth. Make sure you dust along the top, sides, and front of both the frame and the glass.

Use the Right Cleaner
The wrong cleaner can damage your frames, so it’s important to use the right cleaner. For wood frames, it’s best to use a wood oil or another cleaner that’s specifically designed to preserve the natural beauty of the wood. For plastic frames, an all-purpose cleaner is a great option.

Don’t Forget to Clean the Glass
Keeping the glass in your frames clean will allow you to enjoy a clear view of your photos and art pieces. Taking the frame apart and cleaning the glass separately from the frame is a great option if your frame is made of wood or another material that may be damaged by the glass cleaner. If you would prefer not to take your frames apart, simply spray the glass cleaner onto your cloth instead of directly onto the glass. Want to take your cleaning to the next level? Use old newspapers and a vinegar/water mixture.

While cleaning, you may run into some old frames that need to be replaced or some photos or art pieces that you want to frame. Check out our Facebook page and available frames for inspiration!

Frame Your Studio

If you are working in a studio of any type, chances are you’re a creative being. You care about art of all forms. You appreciate participating in art and expressing yourself through it. Now is a great time to transform your studio. Make it even more of a creative haven by displaying art that is important to you. Use frames to keep your artwork safely and chicly displayed.

Decide the tone of your studio.

If you appreciate artistic chaos, you probably have a studio with piles of stuff, all organized in their own unique ways. This style of studio is in need of a variety of different frames. Consider frames in varying sizes, shapes, textures, and colors. Hanging these frames on the wall of your studio will add an allure of organized chaos. It feels modern, but still true to your artistic approach.
You may be the artistic, minimalist type, meaning you like white space, clean lines, and a clear focal point. Following a rule of three is an excellent approach for framing in a minimalistic studio. Print your favorite work of art over three oversized poster canvases, frame them, and hang them evenly on a blank wall. It will add personality to the room, but still leave you satisfied with its clean aesthetic quality.
For music lovers, your options for framing are limitless! Frame vinyl, band posters, photos of your favorite musicians, etc. Set the tone of your studio to the genre of music you record and you’ll be set.

What do you want to frame?

Frame your inspiration
- Design and print quotes that have motivated you in moments of lost creativity.
- Frame your muse. Who inspires you? Is it your spouse, your family, a long lost love? Frame a photo of the person that keeps you motivated in pursuing your art.
- Frame artwork from artists that have had the most influence on your work.
- Frame your reasons for pursuing your creative dreams.
- Frame art that completes the vision for your studio. It doesn’t have to have a profound meaning. Sometimes, working in an environment that feels finished and put together will be enough to help motivate you to complete your own art.
Frame your music inspiration.
- Frame your favorite vinyl and album covers.
- Frame sheets of music that have inspired your musical talents and your pursuit in the music industry.
- Frame signed posters of your favorite bands or artists.
- Keeping musical inspiration on your walls help fuel your journey toward success.

Frame Warehouse can help get your studio walls designed to help you feel creative in your own space. Check out over 80 frames online to see what would look best in your studio! Visit one of our sixteen location for specific advice from our knowledgeable staff.

Easy Ways to Update Your Decor

After living in the same home for a while, the room decor can start to feel outdated and routine. You don’t have to feel bored with your decorations! There are easy, affordable ways to update any room of your house. By implementing the following tips, you will have a fresh new look in your home.

Rearrange Furniture

Rearranging your furniture is the cheapest way to update your home. It’s entirely free! It may be time to switch up your furniture and look at your room from a new perspective.

Get a Statement Piece

Adding a new piece of furniture can make any room feel updated. It creates a new focal point and a flair of your personality.
For the living room, try adding a decorative chair, or a large floor vase in the corner.
For the bedroom, purchase a unique duvet cover. The bed takes up the most space in any bedroom, so updating the bedding changes the entire perspective of the room.
In the kitchen, implement a decorative bar stool or a vintage bar cart. It will add character to any home.
For the bathroom, get a new shower curtain. The shower curtain changes the entire feel of a bathroom. You can also try a new laundry hamper or a new color of towels.
For the dining room, a statement piece can be as simple as updating your placemats or tablecloth.
For the entryway, purchase a gorgeous coat rack. It will help keep your home organized and works as a beautiful statement piece.

Change Your Frames

Updating your wall decor can be as easy as changing the frames on your favorite pieces of art.
If you feel bored looking at your current decorations, try finding a different style of frame that piques your interest. It can make all the difference!
Update the frames on your shelves, too. Choose frames in a bright accent color to make them pop. It will add a new dimension and color to your home.

Update the Necessities

Upgrade the rug in your entryway. It will make that part of the house feel fresh and clean again.
Take out the boring lamp in your reading corner and update it with something that goes with the theme of your home.
Get a new pot and pan holder for your kitchen. It will make cooking with pots and organizing them so much easier, plus it makes every kitchen feel updated and put together.
Change your bathroom rugs! It doesn’t take long for bathroom rugs to feel dingy. Swap them out with a new, fluffy rug and you’ll feel like you have a completely updated bathroom.

Frame Warehouse can help you update your home with new frames. Visit one of our sixteen locations for advice from our talented staff or shop a variety of over 80 frames online.

Add Wall Frames to Your Empty Hall

3D Rendering of Colorful modern art gallery interior with three empty white wooden picture frames on

All homes have that awkward empty wall or hallway. It’s sometimes by the back door, the basement, the bathroom hallway, or in an oddly shaped nook where furniture will not fit. To add personality and flair to that corner, it’s time to hang some frames! The key to decorating the blank wall is to avoid overdoing it. It should be subtle flair that adds personality, but isn’t overwhelming.

We are all guilty of going overboard when it comes to wall decorations. We tend to think that to enhance the space; we need to fill it up entirely. This simply isn’t true. Decorate your blank wall using a minimalistic approach. Doing so will draw attention to the specific pieces of art that you choose; it won’t clutter the space with random space fillers. How does one approach a free space minimally? There are several techniques, but the easiest and the best way is the “rule of three.”

The Rule of Three

A common approach of minimal decorating is the rule of three. The rule of three can be perfectly and easily applied to your empty hall or awkward blank wall. To achieve the rule of three, choose three identical frames. Depending on the space, larger can be better. With your chosen frames, pick art that three different pieces of art that are similar in aesthetic or them. These three art pieces should also accentuate the frame.
Now that you’ve chosen your frames and the art that you want to show off, it is time to hang them. Hang the frames at eye level. This means that when you stand a comfortable distance away from the fame, you should be able to look at the center of the art.
At an eye level, the art should be centered on the wall. Take the frame that you want to have in the middle of the wall and hang it appropriately measured in the center. From there, measure and the same distance on each side of the frame. These two marks will be where you want to hang your other two frames.
With your frames centered and evenly spaced, your blank wall will have a tidy and chic aesthetic that is attention grabbing, but not overwhelming.

To choose frames that match the atmosphere of your home or to find frames that can accentuate your art, visit our website. We have over 80 frame styles online. Visit one of our sixteen locations and talk with our skilled team. They can help you visualize and create your personal framing projects.

Frame What You Care About

These days, everyone is trying to have the best and the chicest appearance. Homes are becoming more modern and sleeker. Due to this trend, homes are becoming far less “homey.” Avoid this lack of coziness and homeyness by creating a home atmosphere that is centered around your personal interests, your style, and your aesthetic. There are a variety of ways to create a homey atmosphere. The first way is to create your own personal art creations and display them in your home.

What are your interests?

Knowing what your interests are is the key to personalizing your home. Would you consider yourself an audiophile, a cinephile, and art collector, maybe you collect vintage baseball cards? Whatever your interest may be, take your interest and make it tangible. Be creative.

If you don’t think you’re the “creative type,” find inspiration in this quote from Hugh MacLeod, “Everyone is born creative, everyone is given a box of crayons in kindergarten. Then when you hit puberty, they take the crayons away and replace them with dry, uninspiring books on algebra, history, etc. Being suddenly hit years later with the ‘creative bug’ is just a wee voice telling you, ‘I’d like my crayons back, please.’”

Now, take that creative inspiration and focus in on developing a tangible way to express your interests. Maybe it is collecting old movie posters that inspired your interest in film. Create a collage of your favorite vinyl covers for a custom wall decoration. You can create a special frame for your most noteworthy collection of baseball cards.

Express it.

Now that you’ve created a tangible example of your interests, hang them up! Your home office or common areas are great places to hang your personal creations. They show clients and friends what your interests are and can be a great way to create a dialogue about hobbies and interests. You may even find someone who cares about baseball cards or old films as much as you do!

Your home will feel homey.

With your personal, creative wall decorations you will instantly be bringing a sense of personality and homeyness into your home. You home will no longer feel or appear standard or boring. It will create an environment where guests feel comfortable in your home and more likely to converse about the creative projects that you’ve chosen to display.

If you need frames for your personal projects, visit our website. We sell a variety of over 80 frames online. You’ll be sure to find the perfect frame for your project and your home’s aesthetic. For personal assistance, visit any one of our sixteen locations. Our skilled staff is here to help you bring your creative vision to life.