How to Choose the Right Frame for Your Artwork

Choosing a frame is one of those decisions that seems simple until you start looking at the options. There are hundreds of moulding profiles, dozens of mount colours, and several types of glazing, and the right combination depends entirely on what you are framing. A choice that looks perfect for an oil painting would be completely wrong for a photograph, and what works for a modern print would overwhelm a delicate watercolour.

The good news is that there are some straightforward principles that guide the decision. You do not need to be an art expert or a designer to make a good choice. You just need to understand what type of piece you have and how the main framing elements, moulding, mount, and glazing, work together. This guide walks through the most common types of artwork and the framing approaches that suit each one.

Starting with Your Artwork

The single most important factor in choosing a frame is the piece itself. Before you start browsing moulding samples or picking mount colours, take a moment to think about what you actually have.

Is it a painting, a print, or a photograph? Is it on paper, canvas, or board? Is it flat or does it have texture and depth? Is it something you bought, something you inherited, or something a family member created? These answers shape every decision that follows, because different types of artwork have genuinely different framing needs.

A good framer will ask you these questions during a consultation, but having a sense of the answers beforehand makes the conversation easier and more productive. The sections below cover the main types of artwork people bring to us at Harten, along with what to consider for each one.

Framing Paintings and Original Art

Original paintings come in different media, and each one has slightly different needs.

Oil paintings are typically on canvas or board and have a textured surface that you want to preserve. Traditional oil paintings often suit wider, more ornate mouldings, particularly gilt or stained wood profiles. The frame should complement the painting without competing with it. If the painting is on stretched canvas, you may not need glazing at all, since the oil surface is naturally robust. If it is on board, glazing protects the surface from dust and accidental contact.

Watercolours are more delicate and almost always need glazing for protection. They suit lighter, more refined mouldings. A generous mount gives a watercolour room to breathe and draws the eye into the painting. Acid-free mounting is important here because watercolour paper is particularly susceptible to discolouration from acidic materials over time.

Pastels and charcoals present a specific challenge because the pigment sits loosely on the paper surface. These works must be glazed, and the mount must hold the glazing away from the artwork to prevent the pigment from transferring. A deep mount or spacer bar creates the necessary gap. Your framer will know exactly how to handle this.

Framing Prints and Photographs

Prints and photographs are the pieces people frame most often, and they cover a wide range of styles and values.

Limited edition prints and signed works have both financial and sentimental value. They deserve framing that protects them properly: acid-free mounts, UV-filtering glazing, and a moulding that complements the style of the work. A clean, modern frame works well for contemporary prints. More traditional works might suit a wider or more textured profile. Your framer can help you find the right balance.

Posters and reproductions are less demanding in terms of protection, but they still benefit from thoughtful framing. A simple, slim moulding in black, white, or natural wood keeps the focus on the image. Standard glass is perfectly adequate here. If you change your wall art regularly, keeping the framing simple and affordable makes good sense.

Family photographs are often irreplaceable, so they deserve better care than you might first think. Acid-free mounting prevents yellowing over time, and UV-filtering glazing stops the image from fading. A well-chosen frame turns a family photograph from something stuck to the fridge into something that takes pride of place on the wall. These are the pieces people are most grateful they framed properly.

Framing Canvas

Canvas presents its own set of choices because it already has depth and structure. The two main options are tray frames and floating frames, and the right choice depends on the canvas itself and the look you want.

A tray frame wraps around the canvas so the frame sits flush with or slightly above the surface. It gives a clean, contained look and works well when you want the frame to define the edges of the piece. Tray frames are popular for both traditional and contemporary canvas work.

A floating frame leaves a visible gap between the canvas edge and the frame, creating the impression that the artwork is suspended within it. This gives a more modern, gallery feel and works particularly well with canvas paintings that have painted edges.

Both options are available in a range of finishes and depths. The canvas depth matters because the frame needs to accommodate it precisely. This is one reason why bespoke framing works so well for canvas: each frame is built to match the exact depth of your piece. Visit our canvas framing page for more detail on both approaches.

Framing Objects and Memorabilia

Not everything people want to display is flat. Three-dimensional objects need specialist framing solutions, and this is an area where a bespoke framer really comes into their own.

Football shirts are one of the most popular items we frame at Harten. They need deep box frames with enough space for the shirt to be mounted without compression. The mounting must hold the fabric securely without causing damage, and the glazing needs to protect against dust and UV exposure. A well-framed shirt becomes a genuine display piece rather than something folded in a drawer.

Medals, coins, and small collectibles work beautifully in box frames with custom-cut mount apertures. Each item can be positioned precisely, creating an arrangement that tells a story. Military medals, sports awards, family collections: the right framing turns these objects into a meaningful wall display.

Textiles, wedding veils, christening gowns, and other fabric items can be framed in deep shadow boxes or acrylic display cases. The key is mounting the item securely without using adhesives or methods that could damage the fabric. A good framer will use stitching, pinning, or custom supports that hold the piece safely and can be reversed if needed.

How Moulding, Mount, and Glazing Work Together

Once you know what type of frame suits your piece, the final step is getting the three main elements to work as a whole. This is where many people feel uncertain, but the principle is simpler than it seems.

The moulding sets the overall style. A wide, ornate frame makes a statement. A slim, minimal frame lets the artwork speak for itself. The finish, whether natural wood, painted, gilded, or stained, should complement the tones in the artwork rather than match them exactly. A frame that is too close in colour to the artwork can look flat. A frame with a slight contrast adds depth and definition.

The mount creates breathing room and guides the eye. For most pieces, a mount that is a shade lighter than the lightest tone in the artwork works well. White and off-white are safe choices that suit almost everything, but coloured mounts can add real character when used thoughtfully. The width of the mount matters too. A narrow mount can make a piece feel cramped. A generous mount gives it presence on the wall.

The glazing is a practical decision more than an aesthetic one. Standard glass works for most situations. UV-filtering glass is worth considering for valuable or light-sensitive pieces. Anti-reflective glass reduces glare in well-lit rooms. Acrylic is the right choice for large or heavy pieces where weight matters, and for pieces that will be shipped or transported.

When you see these three elements together against your artwork, the right combination is usually obvious. That is the real advantage of visiting a bespoke framer: you can try options in person, compare them side by side, and make a decision you feel confident about.

Our individuals framing service is designed to guide you through exactly these kinds of decisions. Whether you are framing a single piece or a whole collection, we will help you find the right approach for your artwork and your home.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if my artwork needs a mount?

Most works on paper benefit from a mount. It creates a visual border that draws the eye into the piece and prevents the glazing from sitting directly on the artwork surface. Oil paintings on canvas and some board-mounted works may not need a mount, especially if they suit a more contemporary frameless or floating presentation. Your framer will advise based on the piece and your preferences.

Should I match the frame to the artwork or the room?

Start with the artwork. A frame that suits the piece will look good in most settings, but a frame chosen to match the room can look wrong if it clashes with the artwork itself. That said, it is worth mentioning the room to your framer. A large gilt frame might be perfect for the painting but overwhelming in a small, modern hallway. A good framer will help you find something that works for both.

Can I frame something myself?

For simple prints in standard sizes, ready-made frames from a shop can work well. Where DIY framing becomes risky is with anything valuable, sentimental, or non-standard. Cutting mounts accurately requires specialist equipment. Using the wrong adhesive or tape can damage artwork permanently. And a poorly constructed frame will not hold together over time. If the piece matters to you, professional framing is worth the investment.

What is the best frame for a modern home?

There is no single answer, because modern homes vary as much as the artwork in them. Clean, slim profiles in natural oak, black, or white tend to suit contemporary interiors well. Floating frames give canvas a modern feel. But do not rule out more traditional frames if the artwork calls for them. A single ornate frame in a modern room can be a striking feature. The best frame is the one that suits the piece, not just the decor.

How much does framing cost for different types of artwork?

Framing costs depend on the size of the piece, the moulding you choose, the type of mount and glazing, and the complexity of the job. A straightforward print in a standard moulding will cost less than an oversized canvas in a custom-finished floating frame. Object framing for items like shirts or medals tends to cost more because of the specialist mounting and deeper frames involved. For a detailed breakdown, see our guide to custom framing costs.