How to Use Thrifted Frames

Welcome, and I am so glad you’re here. Today is the next installment of the THRIFTED GOODIES series! If you enjoy thrift shopping and love the thrill of the hunt, then this post is for you.  All sorts of frame offerings can always be found at thrift stores, which can be used, styled and altered in so many different ways. Come on in and let’s dive deeper into the world of thrifted frames.

If you are new around here, welcome! I am so glad you are here today, and I hope you enjoy yourself. Drop me a comment down below and introduce yourself. I love hearing from you.

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All About the Thrifted Goodies Series

Today I am sharing how to use thrifted frames, including the why and the where. There is a wide selection of frames, which come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and styles. There really is something for everyone with different aesthetics and purposes.

Rachel is sharing all about thrifted finds for the Thanksgiving holiday. She always finds the most amaZing pieces! You don’t want to miss her latest post. If you don’t know Rachel yet, when you are done here, head over to visit Rachel and introduce yourself, while you check out her new {post all about decorating for Thanksgiving on a budget with thrifty finds}.

You can also find Rachel in her other spaces; give her a follow:

Sometimes we have a guest host in the series for triple the fun, and today is one of those bonus days. We have Missy from Sonata Home Design joining us with more thrifting insight. Missy has fabulous ideas and always creates beautiful projects and stylings. If you don’t know Missy, head over and check out her {Chelsea Flea market finds in NY}.

You can also find Missy in her other spaces; give her a follow:

Why Thrift for Frames?

Vintage and second-hand picture frames offer unique and one of a kind variety at an incredibly affordable price. Frames are not only for gallery walls, but can serve so many purposes in your everyday decor plus they make great pieces for seasonal decorations as well.

If a frame speaks to you for whatever reason, you like the style or the shape or the color and it’s at a reasonable price, I say pick it up. Even if you don’t have a specific purpose for it, bring it home and you will find a use for it eventually. Trust me. Frames are extremely versatile. Many of my frames have sat around as architectural decor pieces, until I find a permanent home for them. Sometimes I like the frames just as they are, open, with no insert, just pretty and plain.

Thrifting Pro Tip: Look at thrift store finds while thinking outside the box. Sometimes you like an item, but don’t need to use it for its intended purpose. Make it yours!

Things to Pay Attention to when Thrift Shopping for Frames

Shape

Frames come in all sorts of shapes, square and rectangular being the most common. Oval and circular frames are more unusual and usually garner a higher price point. I am always drawn to oval shapes whether it’s on the exterior edge of the frame or the insert opening. There’s also rounded corners on frames with straight edges or even hexagons and more.

Size

If you’re looking for a frame for a particular spot or piece of art, etc. the exact size is super important. But if you just look at frames for the decor potential, as I do, then size is more undefined. I look at table top picture frames all the way to large wall art frames. Of course along with the variety of sizes come the variations in price. Sometimes I look at a frame and know exactly what I want to use it for, while other times I just like it enough for it to come home with me and wait for its destiny.

Condition

Of course with any 2nd hand purchase, the condition of the piece weighs in. You want the frame to be sturdy and not have any defects. That said, I do like vintage pieces and sometimes they have chips or worn areas. Some folks might consider these as defects, but I look at it as patina. So there’s a difference between structural condition and ornamental condition, where the first is pretty straight forward and the latter is more subjective to taste,

Material

Frames are mainly wood, but there are also metal, plastic, resin, MDF and more. Wooden frames probably tend to have a higher price tag, but that’s not all the time. Also sometimes when frames are painted you cannot tell the difference unless you touch them. For example the spooky gallery I recently created for Halloween, has a plastic frame and a resin frame. Can you tell which one is which?

Style

My personal style leans to the more ornate and decorative frames. Frames with elaborate details always call my name and add gilding and it’s a full on love affair. And like I mentioned above, I also love an oval detail whether it’s all around, on the inside or on the outside. Be aware of your personal style so you can sift through the stack of frames to find the pieces which compliment your preferences.

Multiples

Although certainly not necessary all the time, matching frames can be super helpful for interior design purposes. See the gilded frame with the oval insert (I told you) around the wall sconce? I found two matching frames years and years ago, and I brought both of them home without a purpose. Well, they proved to be perfect to surround my sconces around the picture window in the living room. I don’t have a shot that shows both of them together but you get the picture (no pun intended).

Disregard Insert

Don’t let the artwork or whatever is inside the frame deter you from focusing on the frame. The insert can easily be removed and the frame used to enclose something of your choice. Or you can use the frame solo without anything inside for a simple decor accent and | or an architectural piece.

Potential

Beyond the condition also consider the potential of the frame, and what it could look like with some TLC. If the structure is solid and the style is something you like remember you can give the piece a make over. Paint, wax and rub-n-buff are my go to weapons to up-cycle frames to compliment my decor.

Other things you could look for also include the type of hardware or backing or lack there of. These details can be added or altered to make the frame function for your intended use.

Thrifting Pro Tip: Always have a list of items you are looking for and interested in along with any pertinent measurements for said items. Add the list to your notes in your phone so you always have the list with you.

How & Where to use Thrifted Frames in Your Home

There are so many ways you can use thrifted frames in your home beyond the conventional ways. Although they are fabulous for the traditional uses as well.

Artwork 

Of course frames are the prefect vessels for artwork. For the bunny picture below, I printed the artwork to the size of the frame and created a backing with foam board. If you need a frame for a specific piece of art, I recommend adding a note in your phone to remind you to look for frames and the size you need for the next time you’re in a thrift.

Photographs

Frames are meant for photographs as well. The family photo on the top right below was a thrift up-cycle. The frame was very dark and lifeless when I found it, but that oval and relief detail spoke to me. You can read all about the frame following the link below.

Collectibles

Thrifted frames is a great way to display collections, memorabilia and mementos. I framed vintage doilies I have amassed from my mom, grandmother, thrift stores, estate sales and more. Clustering a group of frames with like items is a great way to create interest. You can create a gallery wall or style them on shelving or a mantel.

Memo Boards

Old frames are great pieces to create memo boards. Cork board lined with burlap is an easy insert for these frames. Stamped and stenciled details on the burlap add style and interest, which can be customized to a desired style. I sold many of these back in the day.

Place Cards

I found these little 2×3 frames years ago. I think there were 6 or 8 of them and they were only 25cents each. I use them as place cards all the time for tablescapes. You do not necessarily need to find a set of them either. I think mix and matched frames would also be fun for a table styling. I think I just gave myself an idea!

Unexpected Places

One of my favorite ways to use frames is to frame an unexpected item. I used two thrifted frames here on our monogram wall to frame a couple of “M’s. The small white frame on the bottom I believe I painted. The gilded frame on the top left is one of my favorites. The cool corners and all the gold detailing around the frame is everything.

Plain & Simple

If a frame has enough oomph it can just lean all pretty and plain. I use this gold frame simply against our gilded mirror on the living room mantel. The frame moves around depending on the mantel styling composition making it a fun process. I figured the frame would find a home like most of my thrifted frames do, but it works well on the mantle shelf so here it stays for now. I also love that it has a built in linen matte between gilded frames.

Themed Event

Frames also make great pieces to use for parties and themed gatherings. You can include pictures of a guest(s) of honor for a birthday retirement, or anniversary celebration; or you can include images of a particular theme for an event; or you can frame a menu or dishes on a buffet set-up; or you can print activity information. And the list goes on

Seasonal Decor

Using thrifted frames for seasonal decor has limitless possibilities. The seasonal decor items tend to be affordable and can be customized to your decor style.

How to Use Thrifted Frames for Seasonal Decor

Since I use thrifted frames for so many seasonal projects, I am sharing examples for additional ideas and inspiration. Frames can be altered to fit your design aesthetic and to coordinate with the season.

Valentine’s Day

As many of you know, sheet music is also one of my thrift store go tos. Framing sheet music is an easy decor piece all on its own, but by adding seasonal accents you can adapt it to a particular holiday. This frame got a make over with a decorative button and decoupaged Valentine images on sheet music.

St. Patricks’ Day

This shamrock inspired collage artwork in this thrifted oval frame is a great accent piece for your St. Patrick’s Day decor.

Easter

Once again, framed sheet music takes the stage. This frame is painted with antique white chalk paint. An Easter bunny silhouette is printed on a sheet music, which makes for simple and neutral Easter decor.

Patriotic

The oval frame below is also a favorite of mine. A few years ago it found its way to the chippy shutters in the dining room, and it has stayed there ever since. It’s a super heavy and sturdy piece. It looks great alone or with seasonal decor hanging inside the frame. This basket full of flags was perfect for the 4th of July.

Halloween

This is the most recent thrifted frame project I shared. All the frames got a coat of black spray paint with accents of gold leaf Rub-n-Buff. The frames created the perfect stage for a spooky portrait gallery.

Thanksgiving

A Thanksgiving garland with place cards from the pervious year is draped in the dining room on an old open frame. I believe this is an old mirror frame and it was the perfect stage for the garland.

Christmas

Believe it or not I don’t have a Christmas frame project to share. Challenge accepted. I will create a thrifted frame Christmas project to share soon.

Thrifting Pro Tip: Make a list of items you would like to find while thrifting on your phone, and you will always have the list with you whenever you pop into a thrift. Update the list regularly as you find treasures and seek others. Have fun!

Closing Thoughts

I hope this has inspired you to use some thrifted frames in your home decor. If you already use thrifted frames, I hope you found a new way to style them in your home. Remember the easiest way to transform an old thrifted frame is to simply paint it.

Thank you for being here today, and please hop over and visit my thrifty friend Rachel @ The Antiqued Journey and Missy @ Sonata Home design for more thrifting inspiration.

Shopping the Vintage Thrifted Frame Look

• 8×10 Vintage Embossed Frame
• 5×7 Ornate Tabletop Frame
• 4×6 Oval Frame
• 3×3 Round Frame Here and Here
• 16×20 Canvas Frame
• 11×14 Frame
• Bronze 8×10 Picture Frame
• Set of Mini Picture Frames

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If the world could remain within a frame like a painting on the wall, I think we’d see the beauty then and stand staring in awe.”

Conor Oberst

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sharing @ between naps on the porch