When hanging a treasured family photo, valuable work of art, or important memento, it’s important to choose a picture frame that suits the piece as well as your general interior design. To ensure your art and home look their best, learn more about what to consider when picking out a frame for your next project with this guide.

3 Tips for Selecting the Right Picture Frame

1. Material

Two popular materials used for frames are wood and metal. Metal is often an excellent choice for modern art, black-and-white photos, and graphic design works. It has a clean, contemporary look that pairs well with thematically modern works.

Wood, on the other hand, has a warmer, more rustic appearance that enhances other kinds of work, such as landscape and still-life paintings and family portraits. Consider your home's existing decor and try to choose the material that will blend the best.

2. Color

Most picture frames come in neutral colors like black, brown, or white. These work well when the content of the frame is eye-catching or noteworthy enough on its own.

However, you may prefer something shiny, like brass or silver, or something colorful. Brushed metals are ideal for sepia-toned heirloom portraits, while colorful frames provide contrast for monochrome photographs, charcoal drawings, or black-and-white illustrations. 

3. Ornateness

Some people prefer simple, geometric frames with little decoration. Others like ornate frames with elaborate scrollwork. Both options can work but beware of pairing an ornate frame with busy artwork. This can become visually confusing and may overwhelm the viewer. Make sure to only use embellished frames for pieces with gravitas or historical significance.

If you're looking for the right picture frame for an heirloom photo or another treasure, stop by Seattle Custom Framing in Seattle, WA. This company has served the region for more than 20 years, and the owner is a certified picture frame specialist. They offer photo frames, poster frames, and shadowboxes, as well as mirrors and custom glass replacement. View a gallery of the work online or call (206) 838-7908 with questions.