picture frame ideas

When it comes to custom picture framing, the possibilities are endless. 

A made-to-measure picture frame can be almost any size, shape or style you like, which means you can frame just about anything these days. Yep, framing photos is just the beginning.

Whether you're decorating your home or making unique photo frame gifts, we've come up with 22 unusual picture frame ideas to show you all the creative things you can put inside a frame and display on your walls! 

1. Photo prints

This seems like such a simple answer, as picture frames are traditionally made to house photo prints. However, if a regular photo print isn’t really your style, why not explore funky retro photo prints or not-quite-matte lustre photo prints, instead? Available in a wide range of sizes, get creative with your prints and frames, designing inspiring gallery walls or photo collages. 

2. Children’s artwork

Fed up with your kids’ artwork constantly falling off the fridge? Why not frame your favourite pieces in a picture frame instead!? Or, a favourite parenting hack of ours is to dedicate framed wall art to each child, allowing them to display one piece of art at a time (and encouraging others to be stored safely away - and out of sight).  

3. Travel souvenirs and memorabilia 

Does your family love to jet away? Or perhaps you want to make a heartfelt gift for that solo traveller in your life? Use picture frames to keep all those precious memories safe, by framing maps, tickets, receipts and postcards from those favourite trips. It’s like making a scrapbook - but in a frame! 

4. Family recipes

Every family has a favourite recipe that's been passed down from generation to generation. Why not give it pride of place in your kitchen (and keep it from getting damaged or lost in a file somewhere), by putting it on display in a picture frame? Handwritten by your grandmother or printed in the most legible font, we love this idea!

5. Pressed flowers and leaves

Have a beautiful botanist in your life that you’d love to make a handmade gift for? Or maybe you’d love to create a unique wedding gift for your bridal bestie? Pressed flowers and leaves in a picture frame not only helps you preserve and protect their beauty, but also gives you a unique way to put them on display. 

6. Seashells and sand

Oh, we do love to be beside the seaside! Explore creating a bountiful beach-themed picture frame using sand, seashells and more from your favourite coastal location. Use a thicker frame for a shadowbox-style creation and let it all flow freely, or DIY it by sticking down your favourite elements to a piece of card. 

7. Butterfly and insect displays

Fancy yourself a bit of an entomologist? Preserve your beautiful butterflies and interesting insects and keep them dust-free in a picture frame; ready for display, without a slight breeze making them fly away. 

8. Fabric and textile art

Does your mum love to make handmade embroidery? Or perhaps you’d like to preserve a piece of a homemade quilt, or the lace from your wedding gown. Framing fabric and textile art in a picture frame is a unique way to not only preserve these perfect pieces but also to display both the physical beauty and the breathtaking memories that go with them. 

9. Handwritten letters and notes

Keeping hold of special handwritten notes from those closest to you can make for beautifully framed pieces. Whether it’s letters, cards, or invitations from irreplaceable moments, frame these memories and keep them both safe and on display in picture frames.

10. Sheet music

For the music lover in your life, try framing favourite pieces of sheet music in a picture frame, for a unique and personalised present. Whether it's a piece they play often or a song with strong sentimental value, this gift is always going to be a hit!

 

11. Coins and stamps

Need a place to display your collection of rare coins or stamps? Showcase it with pride in a picture frame! Remember to always measure your picture frame though, as you’ll want to make sure to leave space for your new finds along the way. 

12. Medals, ribbons and certificates

Wanting to celebrate the wins in life? From athletic to academic, to military achievements, use picture frames to display these awards by framing medals, ribbons and certificates from all occasions and make them pride of place in your home. 

13. Vintage postcards, magazine covers and advertisements

Looking to add a touch of nostalgia to your home decor? If you, or someone you know, is a lover of all things vintage, use picture frames to preserve postcards, magazine covers, advertisements and more - to decorate your home. Better yet, why not make a gallery wall with your vintage collection, using sourced frames from local antique dealers and thrift shops?

14. Abstract art and mosaic tiles

For something a little different in your home, frame abstract art or mosaic tiles within a picture frame. Used as home decor, you can move these pieces around all different rooms, or gift them to family and friends, without the permanency of keeping them stuck to walls. 

15. Custom illustrations

Custom illustrations are the perfect gift! From pet portraits to silhouettes, architectural drawings to fashion sketches, these unique pieces really capture the essence of a person’s individual style and character. Frame custom illustrations in picture frames as the final touch, to help both protect and display the uniqueness within. 

16. Personal vision boards

Get personal and frame your very own vision board in a picture frame. Protect and display your unique visions, goals and inspirations, made from photo prints, magazine cuttings, social media printouts and journalling. Keep them in pride of place in your home office, above your dressing table, or in your kitchen to see every morning - vision boards are the perfect way to help make all your dreams come true. 

17. Book and comic book covers 

For the bookworm or comic book connoisseur in your life, why not frame their favourite covers in a picture frame? Whether it's a special signed edition, or just for some personalised bedroom decor, this gift is the perfect way to show someone you really know them. 

18. Wallpaper and wrapping paper

Have some wallpaper or wrapping paper hanging around that could make the perfect print? Why not do something different and frame it into a picture frame; turning it into some custom, DIY home decor? Simply cut your paper to size and place it in - it really couldn’t be easier!

19. Family tree

Celebrate your loving family by framing your family tree in a picture frame. Nothing says love and pride by having all those you love on show - creating a rich display of heritage, respect and connection to all those who enter your home. And what a great talking piece! 

20. Posters and banners

From a favourite band to a cult classic movie, we all secretly aspire to decorate our homes like our younger selves aspired we would with all our cool things on show. But instead of a shoddy tape or blue-tack job, why not frame your posters and banners; turning them into the perfect, adult home decor? You can even order custom posters by independent designers - helping make your favourite things blend seamlessly into your existing colour scheme and aesthetic.

21. Record covers and vinyls

We haven’t quite finished with the music lovers in our lives. Reuse scratched or unusable vinyls and record covers by stylishly framing them in photo frames, for a new life as unique and personal home decor!

22. Jewellery

Want a unique way to store your extensive jewellery collection? Take the glass out of a picture frame, add hooks to the backboard and hey-presto; your very own, DIY jewellery display case - perfect for display, storage and easy access! 

We haven’t quite finished with the music lovers in our lives. Reuse scratched or unusable vinyls and record covers by stylishly framing them in photo frames, for a new life as unique and personal home decor!

Frequently asked questions about photo frame gifts 

Do I need the picture mount that comes with my frame?

You often find picture mounts inside frames, but what are they? A picture mount is a thin piece of paper or cardboard that provides space between the frame and whatever picture you’ve decided to use inside. For some of these DIY gift ideas, picture mounts may be helpful to draw the viewer's eye in, but in others, it may be a distraction. Try it out and see for yourself - but it’s fine to bin or reuse it elsewhere if you decide against using the picture mount. 

How do you measure pictures for frames?

Measuring a picture for a frame, or anything else you want to add inside, is incredibly easy! Simply take a tape measure and measure the total height and width of your picture. Compare these measurements with the dimensions of your chosen frame, and see if it will fit. You can always trim pictures or swap your frame if it doesn’t fit perfectly!

What size photo frame do I need?

We recommend measuring your chosen picture, or whatever you choose to put in your frame, before purchasing a picture frame. Picture frames are sold in different sizes and dimensions, so the size frame you will need will depend on how big (or small) whatever you’re framing is. 

Want to find more personalised gifts and unique DIY ideas for those you hold closest? Find inspiration over at the Max Spielmann blog, today!