4 Super Powerful (But Easy!) Ways to Upgrade Your Art

updated May 3, 2019
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(Image credit: Natalie Jeffcott)

Color can change the look of a frame — and the feel of a room. (Here is proof!) But paint isn’t the only way you can alter art, frame-wise, to make a big visual impact. In this post, see how adding, switching, enlarging and more can make your art a bigger statement than it already is.

Add a frame

Whether you are rethinking the casual vibe that an unframed piece of art can give off or just haven’t gotten around to framing it, one of the easiest ways to refresh the impact your art has on a room is to add a frame.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Original: Eric & Patrick’s Design Playground. The frames are Green and Gold Jolie Wall Frames from World Market (not to scale).

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Original room image above from → Serene, Simple Style in Stockholm. The frame is Majestic Gold Frame from Accents-n-Art.com, not to scale.


Remove the frame

It might not seem obvious, but removing the frame from certain pieces of art (especially stretched canvases) can change the feel of a room by making the composition less defined, which can add a modern look.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Original room image above from → Kristina & Jason’s Gorgeous, Graphic Australian Home


Switch up the style of the frame

To renew the way a piece of art — and the room it lives in — looks, you can simply switch up the style of the frame. This simple change can make a huge difference, updating the entire feel and context of the piece.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Original room image above from → Sharon & Phil’s Bright, Modern Western Australian Home. The added frame is from Kohl’s. (Not to scale.)

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Original room image above from →A Scandi-Inspired Vintage + Modern Mix in Cape Town. Frame is Loma Matted Picture Frame from Wayfair, not to scale.)

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Original room image above from → Kristen’s B&W Chicago Loft. Wooden frame from west elm, not to scale.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Original room image above from → Kristen’s B&W Chicago Loft


Choose a larger mat and/or frame

To make a larger impact with art without getting a bigger piece of art, upgrade to a larger mat and frame.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Original room image above from → Katy & Todd’s Musical Mash-Up


Want to see how color on a frame can change the way a piece of art looks and feels? → Check out these GIF-illustrated ideas