My white frame wall made good use of this stack of frames. Do you have frames which need a new home?
I love how it fills it up the wall above my couch and makes it a great focal point and adds architectural detail to any room. Hanging empty frames on a wall has been a trend for a while, and maybe “out” now for some, but I finally made one.
To me trends can come and go, but if you like something and it fits in your home, it’s always in style.
This project wasn’t designed to be a blog post so I don’t have a lot of pictures except the ones from my phone. Taking pictures during this process is important.
I’ve been picking up frames at sales and flea markets for several years with the intention of doing this in my dining room, but now another project is in the works for that wall.
Here’s how my project went:
1 – I went through my stacks of many frames and chose my favorites, but also to include different shapes, sizes, and textures. I knew they would all be painted white.
2 – The area above my couch was measured and I taped off an area on my kitchen floor using painters tape to match these measurements.
3 – I started laying out the frames with the two larger ones in the middle and working out. Then it was just trying other frames to fill it in.
4 – After I had a good layout, I left it a few hours and looked over it again. And of course, a few changes were made.
5 – Take pictures of the layout before moving them to paint.
6 – All were to be white, but not the same sheen.
7 – Painting – this was a combination of White Rustoleum spray paint – flat and gloss. A few were with outdoor paint from my Wagner paint project. This is a great way to use up that little bit left over, use what you have.
8 – Layout again just to make sure I liked the look. Again, take a picture.
9 – Hang using picture hangers and small nails. None of these were heavy enough to require anchors.
10 – For those not hanging straight, attach a 3m picture hanger to the back. These won’t damage the wall when removing.
11 – The large oval needed something inside of it and after trying multiple frames, none seemed to work. Light bulb moment – a large “P” might work. Just fit, and it was already black and I really liked the contrast.
12 – Take another picture in case you have to touch up or paint any again.
13 – After touching up or painting, I let it dry 24 hours before hanging, just in case there was a wet spot and didn’t want it sticking to my wall.
Done!
A few notes:
Although I was working in a rectangular area, I wasn’t worried about it be symmetrical.
Rectangle and oval frames can be hung either horizontal or vertical.
A round frame had been found after project started, and knew I wanted to add it.
Paint inner edges of frames as these may show also.
Here’s another gallery wall I created for a television segment a few years ago but it might be helpful for any project.
That is such a cool idea. I LOVE how it turned out. I have tons of old frames in my basement, so I kind of want to make a wall like this in my house now 🙂
Looks really cool. Love those 3m wall hangers!
Thanks.
This is a great way to fill up a wall above a sofa. I have a vertical painting over my sofa and I feel like I need more – it’s kinda bare. I’m thinking of moving the painting and doing something like this. I love it and I don’t pay much attention to trends. You did an awesome job. I’m going to start looking for some frames at thrift stores. Love this!!
This is brilliant! I have a bunch of quite lovely frames under the guest room bed and a family room wall that needs some brightening up! Thanks for sharing!
Different sizes and shapes make it more interesting.
This is such a cute idea. I have always wanted a gallery wall in my home but it seems we don’t have a big enough blank wall area to do one. Maybe a small wall in the kitchen? I like the idea of just hanging a bunch of random shaped frames but keeping them all one color. It looks great!
Maybe in the kitchen you might have some old favorite recipes you could frame too.
I love your gallery wall. BY keeping all the frames in one color, you are creating uniformity and intention. I love the way it looks. Id love to recreate something like that in my home.
No that is something I would love to do. Our walls are pretty bare and we have been trying to think of creative ways to put up pictures. This would be a fun way to do that and it would look really nice.
Agree if you love it go for it. Framed wall turned out great. Free up storage space as well.
Cute way to decorate and use up some of those old frames I’ve collected over the years.
How unique and insanely creative!!!!! I would have never thought to EVER do something like this!
Great way to fill a wall.
I LOVE THIS!!!! I’ve got an empty wall — and a whole lot of empty frames. I think I’ll paint them in a pale gray instead of white. Your tips make it seem so easy! Thanks for the inspiration.
Gray would look great too. I’m hoping to get my walls painted gray very soon.
It’s easy to find boxes of frames like this at yard sales. I will have to get some this next summer and spring and try this! Gorgeous idea!
This is something I call a creative bent of mind. I have many such wooden frames and I’m sure they too will look stunning on the wall, like the way your’s was:)
I know the perfect spot to do a wall like this in my house. I love how much the white frames stand out.
That looks so pretty! I haven’t seen empty frames used like this before and I like it a lot.
What a cool gallery wall! I love the you found all those frames and then painted them to match! Wha a cool idea!
Girl, I am with you 100% if I like it I am doing it. You did such a wonderful job. Definitely taking some ideas from this DIY.
I love the look of gallery walls like this. It’s a shame that it came into style after I tossed out a lot of frames of various sizes and shapes.
I love gallery walls. As a minimalist I also love white so this is excellent to my eyes. Great job!
I’ve never seen a wall full of empty frames, it’s an interesting idea. I do love to look at family photos and want toredo one of my walls to have filled picture frames.
I’ve got lots of empty frames and this is a cool idea how to make use of all my frames! Thanks for this wonderful post!
Pretty easy project, just planning is key.
What a great idea for a bare wall. We’re always looking for ways to dress up our home. Thank you for this idea.
I have loved this. Some say it’s out of style, but hey, it’s my house.
Wow I love this decor idea! I need to try putting something like this together in my office!
These will even hold mason jars for storage.
I think that’s a great idea! Those frames would turn an otherwise broing wall into something much more interesting
Fantastic idea to make use of old picture frames. I think I will have to redo my accent wall after reading this post. I would also like all my picture frames in one color only.
I have a wall like this in my house. My frames are just gold and black. I always get so many compliments on it!