Ways To Up-Cycle Vintage Picture Frames

Transform your walls with old frames. Explore the world of vintage frames and create a beautiful and unique display in your home.

Transform your walls with old frames. Explore the world of vintage frames and create a beautiful and unique display in your home.

Vintage picture frames are more than just old, forgotten relics from the past. With a little creativity and effort, these frames can be transformed into beautiful, functional pieces that add a touch of charm and personality to any space. Up-cycling vintage picture frames not only breathes new life into these classic items but also supports sustainability by reducing waste. Here are some inspiring ideas to get you started on your up-cycling journey.

I love to find nice old frames when I’m out thrifting and Goodwill is my favorite place to find frames at the best prices. A little paint or Rub n Buff can transform an old scratched-up frame into something beautiful. There are many ways to incorporate them into your home decor, including using them as the perfect decor statement. 

So, let’s get to it!

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a simple wall gallery

Vintage frames can be transformed into stunning pieces of wall art with a bit of imagination. Consider painting the frames in bold, contrasting colors to create a gallery wall that stands out. For a more eclectic look, mix and match frames of different shapes and sizes, arranging them in an eye-catching pattern.

What I love about this gallery above is the frames are all the same color and different sizes. I love how it fills the whole wall with her life. She also explains how easy it is to design the wall before putting your first nail in the wall by using craft paper to cut out all the shapes of the frames and tape them to the wall first to arrange.

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Unexpected Decor in a Frame

How about this cute idea of a frame with wreaths hanging inside of it? I love the color of this frame and there are so many different ideas to hang inside a large frame like that. You could also hang smaller canvas pictures inside the larger frame. Old plates would make another great choice to put inside hanging frames.

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Adding collectibles in frames

Another fun way to display your collectibles is to add them to old picture frames. Add a few collectibles in frames really makes a statement. I love the idea of bottles in the gold frames above.

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simply just layer frames

It can’t get any simpler than just layering with frames in an area as the picture above or maybe above a mantle. The frames could be any size and any color. Just layer until your heart loves it!

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A few other ideas

What a cute keepsake memory frame above for a pair of baby shoes. This would make a wonderful gift for a new baby.

Need a message board? Take an old frame and add a little chicken wire for the perfect message board you would clip items on. You could also have some corkboard to the back of a frame for a message board.

If you have a lot of jewelry that needs to be organized, try a frame and small-spaced chicken wire for the perfect area to hang your earrings and necklaces on.

Love to display a lot of pictures? Using a frame and some wire to clip on small pictures is a perfect solution.

The items below are the prints I have used with old repurposed frames and the Rub n’ Buff.

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My Vintage Favs

Shop some rustic farmhouse vintage finds to use in your home.

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13 Comments

  1. I love flea markets and antique stores and often see vintage frames but never knew what to do with these. This article has given me so many ideas – I won’t pass up on frames the next time I see some.

  2. I love the idea of using picture frames AS the art instead of just surrounding it. That looks really nice!

  3. Practical tips to up-cycle wintage picture frames in my opinion. Thanks for putting this helpful resource together!

  4. OMGoodness Tammy, this is Awesome!!! You have given me a great idea for my wall in the hallway. Loving all of these especially the collectable frames, that bottle one is so unique!

  5. These are stunning omg…I love vintage picture frames, I feel they add so much character to the interiors of the house. Beautiful.

  6. Thrifting for old frames and transforming them with a bit of creativity not only supports sustainability but also results in unique and beautiful decor pieces. Goodwill is indeed a great place to find these hidden gems at fantastic prices!

  7. I think a gallery wall! That is such a fantastic idea and a wonderful use of open space. Definitely would love to do something like that.

  8. I absolutely love these creative ideas for upcycling vintage picture frames! It’s such a wonderful way to give old items a new life and add unique decor to our homes. The idea of turning frames into jewelry organizers is particularly inspiring

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