So you’ve got your poster of Gloria Steinem on a skateboard; now, how to properly display it? Here, we bring you a list of the best affordable wall-art frames — plus some pro tips to hack overpriced custom-framing — according to art curators, interior designers, and framing experts. Use these to zhuzh up an old poster, or find something new to fill one up (we can help you in that department, too).
“There are seven stock frame sizes, so if your art is an off size, but you still want an inexpensive frame, I tell people to buy something at Kmart or Walmart or Bed Bath and Beyond, and then have a frame store cut the matting. So if you have a print that’s 10-by-15 inches and you don’t want to get a custom frame, buy a 16-by-20-inch frame and put a mat around it. You can get away with not spending a lot of money that way. I actually just recommended that to a nonprofit customer of mine.” — Michael Ingbar, owner, Soho Picture Framing and Soho Picture Hanging
“A lot of my clients want to figure out a pulled-together way to lay out family photos in an entryway or on a staircase. I love this frame set because it is a sophisticated way to put together a gallery wall and looks a lot more high-end than it really is. It also comes with different templates as suggestions of how to hang the frames on your wall, which makes things super easy.” — Emma Beryl, Homepolish designer
“There is nothing like the Ikea Ribba frames. They have an amazing range of sizes and standard color options, and every frame comes with a mat. Additionally, they have one to two inches of space behind the frame, giving it a shadowbox effect, which is perfect for covering unsightly circuit boxes in NYC apartments.” — Betsy Helmuth, owner, Affordable Interior Design
“You can make the most mundane photo sparkle with a mirrored frame. Take a snapshot to the next level with an affordable mirrored frame from Michaels, or a slightly pricier version of a standing frame from West Elm.” — Betsy Helmuth, owner, Affordable Interior Design
“My go-to for affordable frames is Framebridge. You can send them original art or PDFs, and within ten days you have a custom piece. My favorites of the Framebridge styles are the Cairo burl wood, which has a vintage feel to it; the Jambi, which is a bit darker for more traditional settings; or the classic Providence in black and gold that fits anywhere. That style will never get old. All of the frames have the option of matting, which finishes off the custom look and makes it look way more expensive than it is.” — Nicole Fisher, Homepolish designer
“I love these float frames because they are clean and modern and let your art take center stage. You can upload your art or photograph directly to the Artifact Uprising website, and they’ll print and assemble your frame for you, so all you have to do is hang it on your wall.” — Emma Beryl, Homepolish designer
“Clip IT! We have used these frames it creates and wall installation with a limited budget. Love the flexibility.” — Lorenzo Cota, Homepolish designer
“I was introduced to Simply Framed by an artist we represent, Dean West. They not only offer simple, contemporary frames but also ensure they are well-packed and arrive safely. For higher-priced works, this is one of the best online options.” — Rebecca Wilson, chief curator, Saatchi Art
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