Glass Painting Framing Ideas

Choose a frame with existing decor in mind.

Finish your glass paintings with a frame to match the style of the art. Whether you choose to have the glass framed by a professional or do it yourself, many options are available. Frame glass paintings in reverse for one look or face the painted side forward and cover it with a thin framing glass to preserve it.

Traditional Frames

The frame should be chosen with regard to the glass art as well as the existing decor where the glass art will hang. Modern spaces welcome eclectic frames with ornate curves, rustic wooden designs and plain black or white frames. Choose according to personal taste and the overall look you wish to achieve. Look at what is already hanging in your home for ideas on what direction to take. In some spaces a monochromatic approach to picture framing works best. With all black frames, the style can vary because the color unifies them.

Hanging Frame

To hang your glass art in a window, look for a hanging picture frame with hooks and chains for proper installation. A hanging frame allows the light to pass through the design, creating a prismatic effect. Whether you choose a bare pine frame, metallic finishes or rustic wooden frames, the end result will hang wherever you wish to place it. Ideas for hanging include the living room, bathroom, kitchen, entryway and office. Colorful designs work best for this type of frame, as the light will pass through and illuminate it.

Shadow Box

Frame your glass painted objects in a shadow box. For a decorative plate or platter, affix the plate in place securely and close the box. Hang the shadow box in your kitchen or dining area. You can also frame a collection of smaller painted glass panels to hang in gallery fashion. Choose a theme -- landscapes, people, cityscapes or abstract designs -- and paint a collection of glass panels with said theme. Decorate an entryway or bare hallway with the shadow box collection of painted glass panels. Experiment with the size of the boxes in relation to the size of the art.

Windows

Forgo framing and paint directly onto the glass of an existing window. Ideas for designs include floral patterns, wrought iron designs, landscapes and any other design that appeals to you. Whether you choose to freehand the design or use a stencil, begin with a window that is both clean and dry. Another idea is to paint directly onto reclaimed windows. The rustic frame will act as the picture frame. If you paint on the underside you can even attach legs to the window pane and turn it into an end table or a coffee table.

References

• Plaid: Wrought Iron Double Hung Window

Resources

• Glass Painting: Glass Painting Designs