How to frame wall art

A frame does two jobs: it protects the print and it connects the art to the room. Getting it right is mostly about colour, width and whether to use a mount.

1. Match the frame to the room

Pick a frame colour that already exists in the room: the wood of a bed or floor, black hardware, or white walls. The Bedroom Portrait Trio, shown at the top of this page, uses frames that sit quietly against the bedding so the prints stay the focus.

The Bedroom Portrait Trio: frames that let the prints lead.

2. Oak for warmth

Natural oak is the easiest frame to live with. It warms up neutral rooms and sits well with wood furniture. The Koi and Zebra Pair hangs two bold prints in light wood frames against a slatted wood wall above a desk.

The Koi and Zebra Pair: light wood frames on a wood-slat wall.

3. Mounts for small prints

A mount is the card border between print and frame. It gives a smaller print more presence and makes a mixed group feel more consistent. The Cottage Botanical Wall uses mounted prints to give five small botanicals a gallery-style finish.

The Cottage Botanical Wall: mounted prints in a group of five.

Black, white or mixed?

Black frames sharpen graphic and bold prints. White frames disappear on pale walls and suit soft colours. For a gallery wall, keep to one finish or two at most. More in framing for gallery walls.

Try framed prints on a photo of your own wall with the Gallery Wall Builder.