10 Types Of Picture Frames (Which One Suitable For Your Home)

Picture frames are one of the most overlooked but necessary elements in a home. They serve as more than just something to put your photographs on, they also help to set the tone for the room and add character.

There are several types of picture frames that you can choose from, each with their own merits and drawbacks. Here is some information about the most popular types of picture frames.

A.Shape of picture frames

Simple Frames

Simple frames are your typical rectangular or square shape. They can range from the traditional wooden picture frame to a more contemporary metal one. The simple and classic design of simple picture frames makes them popular for use with most any subject matter, from landscapes to portraits. 

Matched Frames

A matched frame is a picture frame that is cut out to match the size and shape of another object, such as a photograph (often the subject matter of your picture). There are two types of matched frames:

1.Shadowbox : Shadow Boxes are stand alone objects with a glass front and back that have a small opening in the back to slide a photo in.

2.Lay-in: Lay-in frames are also stand alone objects but have no glass covering. They usually have hooks or other devices on the back for hanging purposes and a hook to insert your photo into.

Matched picture frames can be made out of any material you want, including wood, metal, plastic, or glass.

A matched picture frame is a great way to display your favorite pictures and other memorabilia in an artful setting. It also gives you the ability to create your own wonderful piece of art or sculpture without having to possess any artistic talent whatsoever, which can be appealing as well.

Round Frames

Round picture frames tend to be less commonly found than their rectangular counterparts. They have an obvious appeal due to their lack of stark right angles and for the most part, are reserved for use with circular photographs or other round objects such as certificates. Round frames come in several different sizes including small, medium, and large. In terms of style they can range from the traditional wooden ones to more contemporary metal and glass designs.

Round frames can have a lot of appeal to certain individuals, but they may not be for everyone. The shape alone would make them less than the perfect choice for hanging multiple photographs in an otherwise rectangular framed room. They also tend to be on the more expensive end of picture frames, which coupled with their lack of versatility makes them less popular than simple frames.

Rectangle Frames

Rectangle frames are, of course, rectangular in shape. They usually have a flat face and a back that is shaped to give them some depth. These frames come in two variations:

1.Art-mounts : These are the type of picture frame from which your artwork hangs off of with wire (or sometimes clips). They can be flat on the back or slightly 3D.

2.Standard Frames: These are frames that have a wire hanger at the top of them and usually include an overhang that extends past the surface area of your photograph to give it some depth (the more traditional style).

Rectangle frames are popular and have a lot of appeal. They can be made out of virtually any material you want, but wood is one of the more popular choices because it has visual appeal and will fit in with virtually any décor.

Oval Frames

These frames are similar to rectangle picture frames except they're shaped like an overly long egg, rather than a square or rectangle. Oval frames are quite popular and have a lot of appeal because they're a nice change from the standard rectangle shaped picture frame.

They can be made out of virtually any material you want, but wood is again one of the more popular choices because it gives an elegant touch to your photographs.

Narrow Frames

Picture frames that are called narrow tend to be on the thinner side, in terms of depth. Narrow frames are also a little wider than usual. There aren't very many narrow picture frames out there, so they're not all that common. However, you can find several narrow frame designs out there in the marketplace if you do some searching.

B.Material of picture frames

Wooden Frames

Wooden picture frames have been around since the invention of photography and are still a top choice for many picture frame lovers today. There is something about the warmth that wooden frames bring to your decor that no other material can match.

Wool Picture Frames

Wool is a great way to add some natural beauty and elegance to your home or office. Wool picture frames are made with real wool that gives the frame an almost furry texture. Wool picture frames tend to be more expensive than other types of photo frames, but are a much better value in terms of quality and beauty.

Metal Picture Frames

Metal is an excellent choice for a picture frame material because it can be designed and manufactured to look very contemporary, or more classic depending on what you wish to accomplish with your design. 

Metal frames are quite popular and can be made from a wide variety of metals, such as iron, aluminum, tin, copper, or brass. Metal frames tend to be cheaper than other types of picture frame materials.

Metal picture frames do have some disadvantages however: they're not the best choice for humid areas due to their susceptibility towards rust (especially with iron picture frames). They're also on the heavier side and may not be ideal for hanging in large numbers. Metal frames are a great choice if you want a contemporary look with high durability.

Acrylic Picture Frames

Acrylic is a very popular material choice, and it's easy to see why. Acrylic can be manufactured to look like virtually any material you desire including wood, glass, and even precious metals! The result is a beautiful looking picture frame that has the practicality of acrylic.

Acrylic picture frames can also be made into virtually any size and shape imaginable, making them extremely versatile for use in a wide variety of situations.

C. Picture frame sizes

This is the most important aspect of any picture frame when you are choosing your frame type. While a certain size may look nice within your home, it may not fit in the space where you want to hang it or there may be no room for such a large picture frame. If you find yourself using an 8x10 picture frame for a 3x5 photograph, then you are going to need to rethink your choice of picture frame.

This is an important consideration when choosing the right type of picture frame for yourself or others, as you do not want to give someone a nice large matching photo shadow box only to have it be too small for their favorite photographs and mementos.

You need to consider the size of the room that your picture frame will be hung in, as well as the other three elements that we will discuss below. The room should have plenty of space for your frame and it also needs to flow with and not clash with the rest of the decor. Your frame can add or subtract from a room and a good frame knowledge will help you choose the right one for the space.

D.Style

Many people choose their frame according to the style of picture that they plan on hanging in it. There are many styles of pictures and each has a different aspect ratio. A few examples would be panoramic, sepia, or black and white images, which all do not look good in standard 4x6 or 5x7 frames.

You might also want to choose a frame with a certain style such as antique, contemporary or formal. Look at some examples of the different styles and try to imagine them in your home.

Styles are like colors-they can change from year to year, month to month and room to room. Don't feel like you have to stick with one style throughout your house.

People sometimes feel like they need to match their frames with the theme of the room. If you have a modern, contemporary living room then by all means, choose a modern and contemporary picture frame or shadow box. But if you have an antique style living room that looks like it could fit in over 100 years ago, don't feel that you have to pick a frame from the same period.

E.Price

Pricing is an important factor when considering frames, but it should not be the only one. Consider how long you plan on keeping your photograph hanging in its current frame and if you plan on framing something else later down the road. You might want to get a slightly cheaper frame if you don't think you'll be keeping it that long.

There are many ways to stretch your dollars and buy something well without spending too much. Oftentimes some second hand stores will have the exact same frame for half of what you would pay at the store down the street; but as they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure.

Evaluate whether you want to spend more money on a frame that will last a long time or invest less money in one that may not outlast the picture it holds. If you have your eye on some gold-plated, hand-carved family heirloom then by all means get it, but if that's not in the budget or it seems a bit too extravagant for your tastes, then don't worry about it.

Also take into consideration how much damage the frame could sustain over time and if there are any frames made specifically to protect against this. For example picture frames made of plastic do not usually hold up well because they can get scratches very easily.

FAQs

- What are the best types of frames?

That is a matter of personal preference. Some people like the look of wood, while others prefer metal or maybe even plastic frames. There are so many different types out there that you should go with whatever you think looks good and suits your decor.

When it comes to picture shadow boxes the best type is really up to what you want it for. Whether you are looking for a huge wall hanging that can be seen from the street or whether you want something more detailed and intricate.

- What are the best sizes of picture frames?

There is no definite answer to this question, since size is very relative and depends on so many factors. The easiest way to come up with an answer would be to estimate how big the picture is and then pick a frame that covers it completely. But even then, you must consider whether or not there should be any space between the picture and the frame, since this can have a profound effect on how your print looks.

A good general rule is to make sure that your frame is around 1" larger than the actual paper size of your picture. For example if you are framing a 5x7 print, try to pick one that is about 6x8. If you want to add a thin border around your paper, then try to pick a frame that is 1/4" bigger than the picture itself.

- How much should I spend on a frame?

That depends on what you are looking for in terms of quality and style. It also depends on how long you plan on keeping the picture in that frame. If you buy a $5 wood picture frame and then later decide to get a new one, then you might as well have just bought a more expensive frame, since the first one won't be doing you much good anymore.

On the other hand if you are buying an antique-looking or heirloom made picture frame, then a good price might be $50 or more. Personally, I have never spent over $10 on a picture frame and even then that was for something unique.

- How do you hang a picture frame?

There are several different ways to hang a picture frame. Picture wire is recommended for most types of frames, as it offers the most versatility and is easy to work with. If you don't have any wire then a staple gun or picture hangers will usually do the trick just fine.

Conclusion

There are many different styles of picture frames to choose from. The type you should use depends on your style and the type of photo that will be framed. For example, if you have a lot of photos with people in them then it might make sense for you to get a frame with an easel back so they can stand up straight instead of laying down flat against the wall or table surface. You may also want to consider getting a black matting which is made out of long-lasting acid-free materials that won't yellow over time like paper mats do when exposed to light exposure.