DIY ideas for the home
A picture frame can have a second life when it is no longer needed for a picture. Reusing empty frames is good for the environment and brings a creative touch to a room.
With imagination, a little elbow grease and a few everyday materials, an empty frame can become a statement piece or something useful. There are projects here for every level of skill.
Choosing frames for a project
Where to look, and what to look for
Charity shops and discount shops are full of inexpensive picture frames with potential. Look for:
- Sturdy construction. The frame should be sound, with tight corners and no serious cracks.
- Interesting design. An unusual shape, pattern or material gives you more to work with.
- Standard sizes. These make it easier to find or make something to fit.
Check the corners, glass and backing. And think about what a frame could become once it is painted, not only how it looks now.
Preparing and cleaning
- Remove dust and dirt with a dry cloth or a soft brush.
- Take the frame apart. Remove the glass, the backing and any fittings, and put them somewhere safe. Handle glass carefully, and wear gloves if the edges are rough.
- Repair damage. Fill chips with wood filler and smooth scratches with fine sandpaper.
- Prime. If you are going to paint the frame, a coat of primer gives an even surface and helps the paint to stick.
Things to make
A tray or table organiser
Fix a handle to each end of the frame. Put a firm board covered in a pretty fabric or paper behind the glass, and seal the back well. The result is a smart tray for tidying a table top or carrying drinks.
A jewellery holder
Screw rows of small hooks into the frame for necklaces and bracelets. For earrings, fix wire mesh across the back of the frame and hook them through it.
A chalkboard or wipe-clean board
Replace the glass with a piece of MDF painted with chalkboard paint. You have a memo board for the kitchen or office, for shopping lists, reminders or a favourite quotation. Alternatively, leave the glass in, put a sheet of plain or patterned paper behind it, and write on the glass with a dry-wipe marker.
Photo displays and gallery walls
Empty frames make unusual displays. Stretch strings across an open frame and peg photos to them. Or hang several empty frames of different sizes, colours and textures as a gallery wall in their own right, with the wall showing through. It is a real conversation piece.
Decorative techniques
Chalk paint for a farmhouse look
Nothing says farmhouse like a distressed, chalk-painted frame. You will need chalk paint, a brush or sponge, and sandpaper.
Clean the frame. Apply a thin coat of paint, let it dry completely and add a second. When that is dry, rub the edges and corners gently with sandpaper so that a little of the original colour shows through.
Modern art with a minimalist touch
- Button art. Arrange buttons of different sizes and colours in the frame for a three-dimensional picture.
- Lolly sticks. Paint lolly sticks in bold colours and arrange them in geometric patterns.
- Paper cut-outs. Cut shapes from craft paper or card and layer them on a contrasting background.
These are simple, stylish projects, ideal for teenagers who want to personalise their rooms.
A loom or a mood board
- A loom. Remove the glass and backing. Stretch strong wool or twine from top to bottom of the frame, evenly spaced and tied off firmly. You now have a simple loom for weaving.
- A mood board. Replace the glass with cork, foam board or chicken wire, and attach photos, mementoes and cuttings with pins or clips.
Ideas for special occasions
Seasonal wreaths
An empty frame makes a good base for a wreath for Christmas, Easter or Halloween. Decorate it with ribbon, artificial flowers, greenery or pine cones.
An advent calendar
Fix rows of 24 small numbered pockets or bags inside a large frame, and put a treat or a message in each for a home-made countdown to Christmas.
Event signs
A framed chalkboard makes a charming sign for a wedding reception, a birthday party or an anniversary. Write a welcome, a quotation or the menu.
Table centrepieces
Stand a frame on the table with a picture, pattern or saying that suits the theme. Or arrange themed objects inside it: shells for a beach wedding, autumn leaves for a harvest supper.
When you need a new frame instead of an old one, EasyFrame makes them to measure in a wide range of styles, and we can advise on the right one for your artwork. Call us on 01234 856 501 or email sales@easyframe.co.uk. We are always happy to talk, whether or not you want to buy.