Home improvement

If you’re looking for the best way to create a stunning wall display with lots of eye appeal, gallery frames are the perfect choice. Don’t know about gallery frames? You are not alone. Gallery frames are of the least well known types of picture frames yet they’re one of the best ways to display your photos. This article will explain the basics about gallery frames and give tips for ways to make your photos look their very best.

Gallery frames have simple moldings and are designed to place emphasis on the picture and not on the frame itself. Gallery frames often have wide picture frame mats that lead the eye away from the frame and straight to the picture.

When choosing a gallery frame it is important that you know what picture you’ll frame. The gallery frame should complement, not compete with, the look of the picture. Instead of just choosing a frame you like, you need to be aware of whether or not the style, color and type of gallery frame you select will accent your picture. This can be the difference between a good looking display and one that really stands out and gets your attention.

Types of Gallery Picture Frames

There are primarily two types of gallery picture frames: metal and wood. Either can be used with or without a picture frame mat.

The metal frames are often made of aluminum with a brushed or smooth metal finish and come in a variety of colors. Wood is generally more popular and comes in a large selection of colors like black, white, dark walnut, teak, rosewood or natural wood. 

Both types of gallery frames come in a wide selection of sizes. Gallery frames are often used to create a wall display using one type of frame style and color in different sizes. This creates a gallery display that looks well organized and helps keep your eye focused on the photos.

If you are looking for a more formal or professional look to your gallery photo wall, you will want to use picture mats with your gallery frames. Mats can add a beautiful dimension to your frame that draws attention straight to your picture. Professional photographers and artists almost always use mats in their framed pieces as they know the visual impact a mat can make on a piece of artwork.

When you go to select a gallery frame, you can buy a quality pre-assembled gallery frame called a ready made frame or you can get a custom made gallery frame. There are pros and cons with both types of frames but generally ready made frames are more common because they are more affordable than a handmade custom frame.

If you buy a ready made gallery frame, they often don’t include a mat or, if they do, it’s a simple plain white mat. Many manufacturers do this because they figure that if you’re going to use a mat, you’ll want to select one that specifically goes with your picture. Buying a separate mat may take a little more effort, but it gives you the option to choose a mat that will complement and enhance your picture. When selecting a mat, you want to choose a mat that brings out a color you want to highlight in the picture or artwork.

If you want to completely customize your gallery frame then your best option is a custom frame. With a custom frame you can select frame color, molding style, material, size and mat color so you can have a unique, one of a kind look that you’ll be proud to display. Customizing your gallery frames can be very expensive, but you will end up with a gallery of beautifully displayed pieces.

Once you see the difference a gallery frame can make to your artwork, you’ll want to turn your photos and artwork into beautiful gallery displays in your home.