Choosing Frames for Every Style: Modern, Minimalist, Rustic, and More

Whether you’re all about contemporary color schemes with minimalist modern decor or feel more at home in a farmhouse kitchen and a cozy rustic living room, choosing the right frames to showcase your artwork in these spaces is no simple task. Luckily, we have all the expertise in this area and are here to help you find the best possible frames for your home. Keep scrolling for everything from modern metallic styles to suit contemporary city apartments to timeless wooden frames to showcase artwork in the coziest country cottages.

Mid-Century

Oak, walnut, teak, and rosewood are all synonymous with the mid-century interiors. So, if you’re looking for frames that will blend seamlessly with your already established Mid-century decor, these are the woods to track down. Alternatively, if your current scheme leans toward mid-century modern, shaking things up with a blend of wooden and metal frames will instantly elevate the space. 

Try a mix of darker woods and black metal frames for a gallery wall. This will give gravitas to the artwork inside so the overall look remains moody and grounded. These deeper hues and materials also work incredibly well with popular mid-century modern colorways such as deep blues and greens, mustard, burgundy, and burnt orange. 

Scandi

For a design style predominantly characterized by function and simplicity, Scandinavian interiors are one of the most sought-after and, dare we say, elegant on our list. From neutral color palettes and light wood accents to clean lines and Nordic prints, this aesthetic is all about making a space feel welcoming, calm, and comfortable.  

As for which frames best suit this style, you might be surprised at just how many options you have. Firstly, when the goal is to make the space feel warmer, lean into the natural aspects of the design style. For example, mimic the wood used for furniture in Scandi schemes. Most pieces are crafted in pine, birch, and oak so seek these out when choosing frames for your artwork. 

Meanwhile, if it’s the clean lines and minimalistic elements that call to you, opt for sleek, angular black or white frames. Finally, if you love the effortless simplicity of Scandinavian interiors but can’t live without a splash of color, you’re in luck. Swedish red and blue are often used within these decor schemes. Frames in these hues will add a dynamic yet faithful touch of vibrancy to your room. Think carefully about the artwork you choose to put inside these frames, however. Too many colors will clash with the frame and put your scheme out of balance.

Modern

Whether you live in a stylish studio, a large house, or an enormous mansion, a modern, monochrome design aesthetic is sure to suit your space. What’s more, sticking to an uncomplicated color palette of black, white, and other neutral hues can make the design process remarkably straightforward and more enjoyable. It’s just one of the many reasons this interior style is so popular. 

With that in mind, you really can’t go wrong with choosing frames for your space, so long as you stick to these classic colorways. Think contemporary black line drawings on a white canvas housed in chic black metal frames. Additionally, white and/or silver frames will instinctively elevate modern artwork. How? By allowing the artwork space to shine with a less definitive border, and by reflecting light around the space. This is key to nailing the bright and airy vibe of modern decor schemes so the right frames will make all the difference.

Minimalist

Another interior design scheme that makes the most of monochromatic artwork and frames? Minimalism. This striking way of designing your home, much like Scandi and Modern designs, uses clean lines and soft, natural colorways to keep your space feeling clutter-free and calm. It also employs the use of naturally textured fabric and materials. For example, wood coffee tables with exposed grain, and sofas and armchairs constructed in oatmeal-hued fabric with coordinating wooden arms and legs.

Make the most of this tranquil interior style and opt for hand-sketched or painted artwork in muted tones. Then, match your frames to the wood within the furniture to bring the outside in. With an interior design inspired by the natural wonders of the great outdoors, your decor will work year-round and for many years to come.

Industrial

When it comes to cool, industrial-inspired rooms, take the opportunity to lean into the darker aspects of your scheme. Black frames will ground your photographs and make them an instant focal point. Meanwhile, metallic frames will elevate the space and blend seamlessly with the industrial aspects of the design, from statement-making lamps and overhead lighting fixtures to metal furniture legs and even stone countertops. 

That said, we highly recommend opting for silver hues instead of gold ones 

To embrace the contemporary side of this decor style. Choose deep silver tones and brushed, matte textures over light silver frames and glossy finishes. These can tend to look a little too polished and proper for the irresistibly dark and moody attributes of industrial design!

Eclectic

The beauty of an eclectic room design? You can include any frames that speak to you without worrying if they ‘go’. 

Yes, whether it’s happened naturally over the years as you’ve spontaneously acquired pieces you love, or you’ve put a great deal of effort into curating a space that incorporates many different design styles, an eclectic space can generally include any size, color, or finish of frame you desire. Our advice? Rather than looking at the color palette and trying to decide on what matches, try to take in how you feel in the space instead. Follow your gut and try to match the vibe of the room as a whole rather than a particular style. 

This might mean creating a gallery wall of various frames that intentionally clash. A mix of black, gold, and colorful frames, for example, will create a sense of fun and individuality with your favorite pieces inside. It could also be one hero piece of artwork displayed in a suitably dramatic, gilded gold frame that brings personality and a sense of grandeur to your home. Whatever feels right in an eclectic room will, more often than not, complement the space and provide your artwork with the frames they need to truly shine.