Museum-Inspired Frames
A how-to guide + all of my favorite picture frames
A how-to guide + my favorite picture frames
Shop the frames below
I’ve been sharing some videos—see the playlist here—that highlight my mat board customization process. So happy to see that they’ve been helpful! While you can always reference the Objects page for quick links to everything I’ve mentioned, I wanted to make sure I compiled all of the info in one spot to reference whenever you need. Read on to see how I customize my framed photos and art pieces, and can scroll down for all of my go-to frames for a chic gallery wall.
You can watch the video walkthrough here. If you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
First, I make a mockup in Figma that outlines where I want the photo openings to be—you can do this using any design platform or sketch it out on paper, and you can watch this video for an example.
Chrome Picture Frame - if you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
My favorite frame and mat combo at the moment: I chose the largest frame and went with a photo of Lombard Street that one of my grandparents took in the 1970s: the photo had rounded corners as it was, so I chose a rounded corner mat as well.
You can watch the video tutorial here
I’ve loved using this Etsy shop for custom mat boards: they have dozens of colors and sizes to choose from. For instance, with this 8x11 frame, I chose an 8x11 mat board from this shop and added custom measurements for the openings and their placements in the description box. You can also send the shop owner a direct message with your mockup and reference it when you place an order if you’re doing something more precise with multiple photos.
Rounded corner frame set - if you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
For float-mounted photos, I attach photos to this foam core, then place them on blank mat boards.
Favorite picture frames
If you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
I found this frame on FB Marketplace, but this one is pretty similar!
If you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
I love the rounded frame and mat color options here: a perfect choice if you want to customize your frame and have the whole thing done for you (and mailed to your door). Framebridge has such a versatile lineup of frames and while you can’t order them on their own—you have to upload a photo or mail something in—they offer tons of customization options so you’re able to end up with something unique and interesting.
My goal with the See Mystery Lights photo was for it to look like an oversized polaroid. I chose this indigo walnut frame, the photo is 9” x 9”, and the final frame size was 17.875" x 19.875". The mat was roughly 2” on top, 3” on each side, and 4-5” on the bottom. You can mess around with their customization tool until it looks how you’d like it to!
Love that there are so many affordable, colorful options here in completely customizable sizes.
If you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
I like this black metal picture frame as a higher-end option, and this black metal frame for a more afforable option, especially when I’m framing a lot of art or photos at the same time.
We’ve got a handful of pieces left to frame, so we’re opting for some more visually interesting frames for the rest. I love this red on red frame and mat combo if you’d rather place a single order and move on with your day, which would be so valid.
If you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
The larger the frame and the smaller the photo, the more each piece feels more like art and a unique expression of your own.
I love giving photos, notes, tickets and receipts the space to stand out with a wider mat.
Rounded corner frame set - if you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
Other supplies I use: a cutting mat, blank mat boards, an x-acto knife, and foam core. It really is that simple—hope you found this helpful! x
16×20 Walnut Frame - if you screenshot these and share to Pinterest, please tag me or link this post.
Disclosure: I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to buy any of the products I refer to and promote. I only share products I really love. All opinions are my own.