Whether you want to add artistic flair or capture cherished memories, photo frames are a must-have for elevating your home decor and infusing a space with personality. Picture frames are the ultimate tool for creating unique visual displays, and can be used to complement a range of decor styles with their vast array of shapes and materials - every aesthetic from modern elegance, to vintage charm. In this article, we will delve into the multitude of ways to enhance your interior design style with your choice of image to display, as well as strategic frame selection and placement.

Choosing the Perfect Picture Frame

Selecting the Shape

While the most common type of photo frame is the classic rectangle, there are several different shapes of picture frame to select from. Rounded rectangular frames soften the look of the classic square frames, providing a classy yet playful touch to your home decor. Lean even further into the rounded theme with circular or oval frames, to evoke a sense of nostalgic charm and classical romance. Display frames with notched or clipped corners are a great addition to a space decorated in an art deco or minimalistic modern style. Rectangular frames work well in every interior style, from French Provincial to coastal decor. Smooth, unembellished frames are sleek and classy, and provide some subtle refinement. Alternatively, if you want the frame to abe a hero piece alongside the artwork chosen, opt for a moulded or embellished frame that echoes your styling aesthetic.

Deciding on a Material

Choosing the type of material a display frame is made from makes a world of difference when it comes to enhancing the decor style of your home. White frames are the classic choice - they work well with any image and never go out of style. Black frames are fantastic for monochrome photos, and make a bold statement, allowing the framed photo to really "pop". Whether you are seeking to emulate rustic charm, or infuse a space with soothing natural beauty, wood photo frames provide a space with the needed organic texture and hues. Crisp, sleek metal frames add elegance and sophistication, making them great choices for modern, minimalistic spaces. Similarly, art frames with woven or ribbed details are perfect in Hamptons or coastal-inspired spaces, as they reference the natural woven rattan and seagrass that is so popular in coastal furniture. Go bold with vintage-style glamour with an antique-finish metal frame. Bevelled and sculpted details evoke a sense of classic luxury, and allow the art frame to become a statement piece in its own right.

Items to Display in Picture Frames

Photos

You can't go wrong with showcasing a gorgeous family photo. Wedding photos, baby photos, school photos, and snapshots of family reunions and holidays, are all wonderful display pieces that will uplift and inspire serenity into those who view them. Opt for a moody black and white photo framed in dramatic black or white, or choose a pale wood photo frame to make a colour photo really pop.

Art Prints

While many prints come already framed, custom prints and artworks, as well as collector pieces, often need their own picture frame. Look for a frame that complements the colour and style of the art print, in order to portray the beauty of both the artwork and frame in a way that is cohesive and pleasing to the eye.

Posters

Long gone are the days of torn posters and frustrating sticky-tack - poster frames solve all the wear and tear problems posters usually present. Framing a poster not only ensures its longevity, but makes a room feel more put-together and classy, rather than giving off the vibe of a messy teenage bedroom!

Travel Souvenirs

Travel mementoes, such as postcards, maps, and travel tickets look beautiful framed and will enrich your space with the joyful memories of your travels. In addition, framed travel souvenirs make great conversation starters, and are sure to delight and inspire all your guests.

Birthday Cards and Wrapping Paper

Celebrations such as birthdays and holidays often leave a trail of cards and wrapping paper scraps in their wake - why not showcase these to preserve the happy memories for years to come? If you have a particularly large piece of wrapping paper, split it across three frames to create DIY art panels. A similar look can be achieved with scraps of patterned wallpaper.

Pressed Flowers and Foliage

Botanical artwork is a popular choice for bringing a slice of serene natural beauty indoors, and displaying pressed flowers and foliage provides the same effect. Not only does plant life create a refreshing and soothing atmosphere, but it will remind you of cherished memories of collecting the plants with friends and partners, putting a smile on your face every time you see them.

Children's Artwork

Instead of leaving your children's artwork neglected in boxes or stuck on the fridge, proudly display them in picture frames. Displaying your children's artwork adds real character to a living space, and makes your home feel more harmonious and inviting. Celebrating the achievements of your children will surround your home with love and inspire your children to be creative and experiment with art.

Antiques

Antique pieces such as vintage advertisements, magazine clippings, and inherited embroidery work would look beautiful in an antique-finished metal frame. Whether you are decorating in a rustic or farmhouse style, or you would simply like to showcase a beloved family heirloom, picture frames are a must for properly displaying these antiques.

How to Display Framed Photos

A single framed picture, grouped with a potted plant and a candle, makes a lovely trio to place upon a coffee table or bedside table. Group several framed pictures together on a sideboard or mantelpiece to create an eye-catching arrangement, using a variety of frame sizes to enhance visual interest. A single large framed artwork, or pair of artworks, creates a stunning focal point when hung on a wall. One of the best ways to display multiple photos is by creating a gallery wall, making a real statement and allowing you to display many of your favourite pictures at once.

Picture frames are certainly a must when it comes to interior decorating, and are endlessly versatile in their ability to infuse a space with your unique personality while enhancing the overall style of the room. No matter the picture you wish to display, and your individual taste in decor, the is a picture frame to suit your needs. Discover French Knot's gorgeous range ofPhoto and Picture Framesfor more style inspiration.