How to Choose Custom Picture Frames for Art

Do you need to learn how to choose custom picture frames for your artwork? Once you've picked out a piece of artwork for your home, the next steps are to matte and frame it, if it's not already. The right matte and frame will enhance the beauty of the piece and make it look "finished." Since I used to work at frame shop, this article will give you inside tips on how to choose custom picture frames and mattes and for you artwork.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Artwork you enjoy

1. 
    
   Learn how to choose custom picture frames

   Identify the main color of the background of your piece of art. The matte color should be as close to the background color as possible. For outdoor pieces, this might be the blue sky or green of grass. If your piece is a primarily red abstract, choose a red matte.

2. 
    
   SO WRONG!

   Don't choose a matte color that is the predominant color in your home (unless it's the background color of the piece.) So many people would come into my store with a black and white art piece and want a red matte because they have a lot of red in the room where it will hang. Please don't make that mistake! The matte is an extension of the piece of art. The goal is enhancing the artwork’s beauty, not to force a competing color into the piece. First, it would make the piece look smaller. Second, it visually distracts from the contrast the artist purposely used. And third, if you change the colors in your home, suddenly this piece of art looks out of place.

3. 
    
   How to choose custom picture frames and mattes that complement your art

   Choose a second matte color to match the highlights in the picture. This is optional, of course. But a second and even third matte can pick up on the contrast of a color the artist used touches of in the piece that really stand out from the background. A second matte under the first results in a thin band of that highlighting all around the piece. This highlight beside the background color makes the piece pop, because you are repeating the contrasting colors the artist intended.

4. 
    
   How to choose custom picture frames

   Choose custom picture frames that fit the color. You have more freedom when it comes to choosing the frame’s color. If you’re choosing wood or metal, use darker tones for darker pictures, and lighter tones for lighter pictures. If you have modern art, the frame can be any color you enjoy in the picture.

5. 
    
   How to choose custom picture frames that suit your style

   Choose custom picture frames that also fits the style. The frame should fit the color and "tone" of the piece, but you have more freedom in terms of your personal taste in decor. Modern art should have smoother, sleeker custom picture frames in metal or plastic. Metal or wood complements a traditional landscape or portrait.

6. 
    
   How to choose custom picture frames that work well with mattes

   Try your options in the store! Use these guidelines to choose a few different mattes and custom picture frames. Most frame custom frame shops have samples that you can place in the corner of your picture to see if you like the overall look. Mix and match the matte and frame choices.

7. Ask for assistance. Usually employees will watch when you start playing because they’re interested in the result! If you're unsure which option is best, they’ll offer opinions. Sometimes it's great to get advice from professionals. However if you love the way a frame and matte look with the piece which is different from their suggestions, go with your instinct. You’re the one who’ll be enjoying this piece for years to come. Good luck learning how to choose custom picture frames!

[jamiekucharski]

on 5/15/2009 Very clear article on how to pick the best frame for a piece of artwork. Thanks!

[HollyC]

on 4/11/2009 Wonderfully written...

[sonni57]

on 3/31/2009 Nicely done article on picture frames used for art.