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Decorative frames to present your pictures

You excitedly pull the prints of your holiday photos out of the envelope and immediately revel in memories. To keep the beautiful snapshots of your loved ones clean and safe, you frame the pictures in pretty picture frames . Displayed on a dresser or hung on the wall, you can always see the big and small treasures and bring more personality into your home. This buying guide reveals which photo frames are available in and how you can use them to turn your pictures into real works of art.

Whether individually or as a group: picture frames make photos stand out

Picture frames highlight your photos, paintings or posters impressively and turn them into individual decorative elements. The contrasting color borders make the pictures stand out even against striking backgrounds such as patterned wallpaper. Large, framed prints are popular for decorating empty walls, while an arrangement of several small frames on a shelf or dresser looks good. The stands or hanging devices on the back are often attached in such a way that you can present the pictures in portrait or landscape format.

Whether you hang it up or stand it upright, the structure of a picture frame is usually the same. In addition to a decorative frame made of wood, metal or plastic, a transparent front is part of the basic equipment. Behind the pane, the picture is protected from dust and dirt and at the same time has an elegant shimmer. A cardboard back panel, which can be attached from behind with small clips or clasps, provides more stability . Thanks to the simple construction, you can easily insert your pictures and change them as you please.

Tip: Are you planning to make a friend, family member or partner happy? A framed photo is a personal gift idea and a great keepsake.

Everything within the frame

Would you like to enhance a single photo with a picture frame or display several pictures as a private gallery? Depending on the number of photos, single or multi-part models are available. You can find an overview of the individual frame types here.

Picture holder without frame

Frameless picture holders have a subtle appearance and their puristic appearance means they blend in easily with different living styles. These models often consist of just a glass front and a back wall, which are held together at the edges by metal clamps. Variants are often used for standing in which the picture is placed between two thick panes of glass, which also serve as a display and presentation surface.

Tip: How about a photo in a glittering snow globe for Christmas?

Single and portrait frames

Single frames are the classics among picture frames and beautifully showcase small or large works of art. The frames are particularly popular for highlighting smaller portraits or postcards. Wide frames with artistic decorations such as flourishes, ornaments or attached flowers give your photos an attractive border and make for beautiful keepsakes on the wall or shelf.

Double frame for folding

Double frames offer a double frame for two or more pictures. The individual frames are usually connected by a hinge, which makes them easy to open or close. Couples can put a photo of each other on the left and right of the double frame and display the entire work on the bedside table as a token of love . Combining a baby photo with a colored print of the little hands or feet also creates beautiful memories.

Gallery frames for collages

A large number of pictures can be placed on the wall in a picture frame collage. The large frame collage is made up of several optically coordinated individual frames in which you can arrange postcards or photos as you wish. Individual, large gallery frames also ensure a tidy look. These are equipped with a passepartout, a simple piece of paper with cut-out openings in a standard photo size. Arranged next to or below each other, selected family or holiday photos form an attractive ensemble.

Tip: Photo canvases are also a great way to hang your photo collection on the wall. When lined up loosely, nostalgic Polaroid photos, for example, look great.

Digital picture frames as slideshow

A digital picture frame brings movement to your favorite pictures. Using a USB cable or memory card, you can upload not only individual pictures, but entire photo series or even videos from your computer or digital camera to the device and play them like a slide show. The lively image changes provide variety and the flat display makes the high-tech frames look very modern.

Materials, patterns and dimensions: picture frames for your taste

Depending on whether you want to frame a photo, a poster or a picture painted by the children, a large or small frame will be more suitable. The material and color of the frame also determine the overall effect. To help you find the right model for your purposes, here is an overview of the advantages of the different frame designs.

Materials: wood, metal or plastic?

A frame with a natural wood look and its individual grain looks particularly homely and warm. Colorful varnishes, carvings and milled details add even more charm. It becomes elegant with narrow metal strips that shine elegantly. Frames made of robust plastic are available in many bright colors and spread good cheer with playful patterns or children’s motifs.

Colors: light, dark or patterned?

The more detailed and colorful the image, the simpler the frame should be. Subtle models in black, gray, beige or white are popular classics because they can be combined in many different ways and bring the photo to the foreground. Conversely, you can use a bright picture frame to draw attention to a black and white photograph. For a harmonious look, the color of the frame should also be found in other home accessories such as the living room curtains. To stand out from the color of the wall, the use of contrasting colors is recommended. Dark photo frames, for example, look good in front of a light wall.

Tip: With a picture frame set, you have several frames in the same design ready to create a uniform photo arrangement on a table or on the wall.

Dimensions: large or small?

To ensure your photographs are framed precisely, picture frames are designed for common photo sizes such as 10 x 15 cm and 13 x 18 cm . Large models in the format 70 x 100 cm are ideal for framing a poster in portrait or landscape format, while the dimensions 50 x 70 cm and 30 x 40 cm are ideal for slightly smaller art prints. A painting in DIN A4 format is framed in 21 x 30 cm.

Tip: Is your picture too small for the frame you have chosen? You can use a passepartout. The inserts in neutral white or black act like prefabricated inner frames and cleverly bridge the gap between the frame and the picture.

Shapes: square or round?

How much of the image can be seen depends not only on the format of the image but also on the frame shape chosen. Models in the classic rectangular format usually have the widest section of the image. Round and square frames focus more on the center of the image and are well suited for smaller images. Landscape motifs that tend to be wider can be supported well with oval photo frames.

Classic to modern: Which frame suits your living style?

For a harmonious overall impression, the picture frame should not only match the picture, but also be coordinated with the rest of your interior. For inspiration, here are some ideas for suitable framing in classic, rural and modern living styles.

Classic style: subtle and comfortable

A classically furnished apartment looks elegant and at the same time understated with light wooden furniture and sliding curtains in neutral colors such as gray or beige. Here, a cream-colored wooden frame with an idyllic beach landscape in the middle fits in just as well as a large collage of family photos. Integrated sayings such as a warm “Home” or “Family” look inviting and immediately make your home more comfortable.

Country house style: rustic and nostalgic

The country house style is natural with solid wood furniture and warm earth tones such as brown or ochre; antique details and decors are popular here. A wooden frame with peeling paint harmonizes with the nostalgic flair of the living room. Together with decorative cushions in a shabby chic look, it becomes cozy all around.

Modern style: clean and glamorous

A simple picture frame made of polished stainless steel goes well with modern designer furniture in cool colors such as anthracite or glossy white . A hallway gallery with a series of black and white photographs behind wide passe-partouts emphasizes the clean look with its preference for straight lines and orderly structures. A city panorama in the bedroom looks glamorous , with a light contrasting frame standing out well against the dark wall paint.

Ten decoration tips: How to make pictures look great

Once you have chosen a picture and a suitable picture frame, you can start decorating. You can find tips here.

• Follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions and make sure you use suitable nails or screws and dowels for the respective frame weight and the condition of the wall.
• Large pictures and frames need space to have their full effect on the wall. Therefore, plan enough distance from other furniture, such as shelves.
• Choose a central position at eye level so that you can see the wall decoration well. If you want to look at the picture mainly while sitting, hang it lower.
• A series of small pictures gives a room more depth. The arrangement appears even more relaxed if you hang the individual pictures slightly offset from one another.
• Frames in the same color make picture collages appear uniform. The spaces between the individual pictures should be regular. The consistent use of passe-partouts also creates cohesion.
• Several framed pictures can be conveniently presented on a long picture ledge and rearranged according to your mood or for seasonal occasions.
• You don’t want to or aren’t allowed to drill into the walls in your apartment? You can also simply put large pictures on the floor or on a sideboard and lean them against the wall.
• Mirrors also gain more charm through individual framing and are then better protected against impacts.
• For elegant light reflections in the dark, you can attach LED strips to the back of the frame.
• Avoid positioning it opposite a window or lamp, as the light could reflect off the glass surface of the frame and make it difficult to see the picture.

Conclusion: Picture frames turn your pictures into works of art

Whether large or small – with a picture frame you can beautifully highlight your photos and pictures. The frames are not only a great decoration for the wall or a shelf, they also reliably protect the small works of art from dirt and dust. You can read more information about the many different frames here:

• Single frames in photo format of 10 x 15 cm or 13 x 18 cm decoratively highlight portrait photos or postcards and can be placed or hung in portrait or landscape format.
• For large posters or paintings, a frame measuring 70 x 100 cm is suitable. Choose several suitable nails or screws and dowels to securely attach a correspondingly heavy frame to the wall.
• Frame collages consist of several individual frames in the same design and offer space for a variety of photos and pictures. Foldable double frames are ideal for romantic couple photos or children’s photos.
• Square frames show a large section of the image, while round or square shapes focus more on the center of the image. Passepartouts provide that certain extra and reliably frame even smaller images.