I love picture frames, and in this collection of picture frame ideas, I'm going to convince you to love them too! If you’re a regular thrifter—you know how easy it is to come by cheap frames.
I can’t pass up one with a great price of any size. I hope you find some inspiration in some of these great makeovers.
Table of contents
Repurposed Picture Frames as Chalkboards
In this Artwork Frame Chalkboard post you will see tips for spraying chalkboard paint in a paint sprayer and how to easily hold your new chalkboard in place in the thrift store frame.
Okay, so this may not be a picture frame, but this Photo Room Divider—Chalkboard Display originally held photos. If you think outside the box, you really can make almost anything into a chalkboard.
It seriously doesn't get any easier than these Easy Peasy Chalkboards. These old gold frames are readily available at all second hand stores.
I love frames of shapes and sizes, but by far my favorite way to paint them can be seen in this post of Chippy Chalkboards with Chalk Couture.
Cheap Thrift Store art as chalkboards is a great place to visit if you love picking up cheap artwork at thrift stores like I do.
Small wooden chalkboards is an easy project to make out of small craft store wooden frames.
Sometimes you have to repair old pieces. This Oval Frame into a Chalkboard was very old and abused.
Mindi has great picture frame ideas including this Chalkboard Easel! Her step by step directions will have you making one yourself!
In this Thrift store frames as chalkboards post I give you details on how you make your own colored chalkboard paint. Not to be confused with chalk paint that you use on furniture.
Easy Ideas
My friend Angie did a great job on this FAMILY pennant frame. She gives you lots of tips on making several variations of this project.
Use scrapbook paper to make a dry erase reminder board. This is a great picture frame idea using scrap book paper! You can use a thrift store frame or a frame from the Dollar Store.
Although this Frame a vintage bottle—just add flowers project is from the early days, I can see how someone would still enjoy this picture frame idea. Back in the day I really enjoyed collecting frames and small glass bottles!
Talk about easy picture frame ideas! In this post Put it on a pedestal, I think Debbie knocked this on out of the park.
Making shadow boxes out of old picture frames
This is the one that got away. Yep, I sold this Simple Rustic Shadow Box, and have always regretted that decision.
Personally, I prefer the smaller projects such as this Small Black Shadow Box.
Even when your picture frame has a few flaws, you can disguise them with paint. That's the case with this Ornate Vintage Shadow Box
Tutorial: How to make a shadow box from a thrifted picture frame. I think ornate picture frames make the best shadow boxes.
In my post More Shadow Boxes made from picture frames, there aren't any details on making shadow boxes.
I'm not sure why I left this Easy Shadow Box with Bead Board white. I suppose it was before I got into my craze of glazing painted furniture!
One last simple Shadow Box.
Old Picture Frames - New Cork Boards
Make your cork board your own by covering it like this DIY Chevron Burlap Bulletin Board.
Sarah made an easy thrift store cork board for her craft room, I love the new look of the cork, don't you?
If you are wanting something large and plain, check out this Extra Large Cork Board made from an overs sized piece of artwork.
Black cork board with tips on securing cork board without special tools.
New uses for old picture frames
Here's a great picture frame idea to use picture frames as Wainscoting. Very creative and could be inexpensive if you have a bunch of matching frames.
Make them all come together and match with paint in this Thrifted frames for a gallery wall post.
Use them for framing out drawers on a media center. The frames give the media center a card catalog kind of look, don't you think?
This easy Herb Drying Rack is not only pretty, but very functional.
Make home decor projects with old picture frames
Who wouldn't love this Storage Crate made from Wooden Picture Frames?
One of my very first projects is this Vintage Frame {serving tray}. You could update it and make it more modern just by changing out the frame.
Another great tutorial by Mindi is this Jewelry Holder. Aren't the matching hooks perfect?
Use an old artwork frame to make a very unique Photo Display.
I'm in love with this project. If you have junky pieces laying around you could Make a lantern with frames and more!
Can you believe this barn wood frame was at a thrift store? Carlene added a wooden bin, and voila you have the perfect Framed Wooden Wall Bin.
Another really easy project from the early days, this Antiques sign doesn't involve using a vinyl cutting machine!
If you don't have a mirror that matches the size of your frame, that's not a problem! Sarah will give you the secret to this Picture Frame Mirrored Vanity Tray
Old frame plus some bead board and a stenciled Fleur-De-Lis
Key to My Heart Framed Vintage Doorknob is another great project that makes use of junky treasures you may have laying around.
This easy Framed Mirror with Frosted Vinyl Monogram will make you smile!
I have been known to hoard frames—I probably have about 25-30 in inventory. I wonder what’s next? What is your favorite way to upcycle or repurpose a picture frame?
gail
See More Great Repurposed & Upcycled Ideas Here
mcgypsy
I must not have been a subscriber to your blog back in 2013 when the previous comments were made because this is the first I am seeing this post. When I was a little girl I admired the shadow box that my mother had hanging on the wall in her living room. It was very very beautiful. It was very large, like a huge picture and hung over her couch. It actually had a mirror for its back and she had some very pretty Knick knacks on it. It was gold and shiny, and probably why it caught my attention as a 6,7 or 8 year old. I am actually thinking of making some very soon, probably to sell but that will all depend on how long it takes to make them and how much is actually involved. You’ve got a nice selection here but doesn’t it make sense that if it’s called a “shadow” box that there would generally be a mirror in it? Just curious how others look at that.
Gail Wilson
I remember those mirror shadow boxes in my grandparent's home.
If you google shadow box, you will see that it has changed over the years. Rarely do they have mirrors in them anymore. I'm happy you found these projects. Good luck making your own!
gail
Laura
What a fantastic collection of ideas here! I always enjoy seeing what can be done with frames- there are projects here that I would never have thought of!
Elizabeth Cooper
What a great features you have here...love them all especially the wall frame with a design of basic shapes. I love to hang this on my wall...By the way thanks for sharing this wonderful and very creative post.
Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel
These are all fabulous Gail, but I have to say that I just love that room divider chalkboard. I'm on the lookout for one of those that I can redo.
Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures
These are all such wonderful ideas. My favorites are the wainscoting, gallery wall, and the shadow boxes. I use a lot of old frames for my jewelry displays by cutting cork board and covering it with burlap or velvet.
Corn in my Coffee-Pot
These are great!
I like the crate made from pic-frames and the shadow boxes! Soo cooL.
I remember seeing lots of these; but some I don't glad you posted them all together-- Love the Take 2!
I'm pinning this.
Pat
Laurel Stephens
Dang, you are so creative! I particularly love that last frame and photo of you and your daughter. So sweet...
Paige @ Little Nostalgia
I love using old picture frames, both for upcycling and just using to hold pictures! A word of caution, though: I cut one of my fingers on an edge of glass that had gotten slightly jagged over time. It was hard to see the weird edge, but boy did I feel it!
Gail Wilson
OUCH! Great reminder Paige! I save my glass, just because. I recently found a place to donate it. A friend does painting on glass, and is always in need of extra glass. It's a win/win!
gail
Gail Wilson
Thanks so much y'all....I should get busy making something with my picture frames, it's fairly easy on the shoulder.
gail
Sandi @ The Primitive Skate
Wonderful ideas for the frames, Gail!
Thanks for sharing.
Full Circle Creations
Great recap. Love them all. So you hoard frames, well since we're sharing, I hoard headboards...but I think you could guess that one! 🙂
I Play Outside The Box
I love seeing everything you come up with for a picture frame. You always amaze me!
Sue Marrazzo
I love the shelf idea!!!
Kay San Nicolas @ Gallery Fifty Eight
Wow 25 - 30 frames! I finally purchased a pretty frame at a thrift shop in the town of Idar Oberstein because I was inspired to make a chalk board out of it. Oh my it turned out so pretty..........now what to write on it?
Great post on picture frames. More inspiration.