Ditch Expensive Picture Frames And Use This Easy Paint Hack Instead

Artwork is one of the main elements in our homes that reflects our personal tastes and sets the vibe for an entire room. Finding the perfect piece of art for a space may be difficult sometimes, but finding a way to attractively frame or display that piece of art once we have it can be even more challenging, particularly if it's large or unusually shaped. With bigger and custom framing jobs sometimes costing hundreds of dollars, some homeowners and designers have turned to less expensive ways to highlight art that doesn't involve traditional framing.

Instagram user and NHS mental health practitioner Siân recently gave Apartment Therapy the inside scoop on how she framed a large vintage poster print in her colorful and stylish home using only a small pot of colorful paint. If you're looking for tips and ideas to avoid investing in costly frames, there are many options involving small amounts of paint and color in lieu of custom framing that both highlight the work itself and provide an attractive background for it to shine.

Siân said she was looking for a way to display her large geometric retro poster print while also hunting for a budget-friendly alternative to purchasing an expensive frame. Instead, she opted for an inexpensive clear frame and a colorful rectangle painted behind the piece which extends several inches beyond its border. The paint not only gives the illusion of a frame but adds a splash of color that immediately draws the eye.

The key to Siân's success lies in the bright yellow shade, which forms a strong contrast with the faded blue greens and grays of the vintage print. The bold hue also echoes the swathes of bright color throughout the rest of her home, which is drawn out in colorful oranges and yellows against more subdued shades like soft aqua and sage green. The color chosen for the square is repeated through accessories and other painted elements in the home, drawing everything together cohesively and intentionally.

To get this look, you will need a small amount of paint. It could be an inexpensive sample pot or leftover color from elsewhere in your home. Aim for a contrasting shade to both the wall color and the colors of the artwork you are framing. The contrast between all three will offer the most impact visually. It is also a great idea for setting off a piece of art that is too close to the wall color, like a white poster on a white wall. If bold colors are not your thing, you can also work tonally or monochrome, using a darker or lighter shade of either the wall color or the artwork itself.

Measure the artwork before you begin, plotting out the size of your desired border for it. You will want to use painter's tape to get sharp edges and clean lines that mimic an actual frame. You are not solely limited to right angles, however, and some have found that getting creative with shapes like ovals, circles, and arches also highlights artwork in fun ways that draw the eye and work as a framing device. Others suggest building an entire gallery wall within a geometric swath of color to outline the borders of the assemblage.