In our house, the only thing that you’ll see more prominently displayed in our rooms than the DIY decor pieces and artistic things we’ve made are our family photos. We’re the kind of nostalgic people that will take any opportunity to combine the memories we love with the crafting techniques we adore so much. That’s why we’re always on the lookout for new ways to show our photos off in all kinds of creative manners.
If you’re feeling just as interested in learning how to make new kinds of DIY photo frames and displays as we were, if not more, here are 15 of the very best ideas, designs, and tutorials that we’ve come across so far in our search!
1. Floral hanging wire frame
Just because you’re looking for a way to display some photos you like doesn’t mean you have to put them in a conventional frame like you’d classically see in most houses! What if you have some awesome, nostalgic looking picture frames that you think would look neat as part of something slightly alternative? We’d suggest taking a look at how DIY Candy made this floral hanging wire frame that features photos clipped onto wire alongside faux flowers.
2. Pressed flower and wood photo frame stand
If you’re going to put your photos on display, would you prefer to do just that- put them in an actual fully conceptualized display? Well, if you liked the mention of including a floral element as well, then we think you simply must take a look at the way Pillar Box Blue made a stunning wood, glass, and pressed flower picture frame stand! Whether you create a whole set and leave the flowers out of some of the glass cases so that a photo can go there or whether you put a small photo in with the flowers, the look is stunning and whimsical in the end.
3. Polaroid clothesline frames
If you’re going to put in the time and effort it takes to make a lovely DIY photo frame, would you prefer that it be not only very unique looking but also visibly homemade, since you love showing off the creative skills you’ve worked so hard on? In that case, we’d definitely suggest taking a look at how Polaroid outlines the steps for hanging their little printed pictures from a little clothesline type string, affixed in tiers within an emptied out large photo frame.
4. Wood and leather pull-down style frame
This particular design might show a quote instead of a photo in the picture we’ve included, but we promise that it’s just as easy to include an image instead, and the design of the pull-down style display was just way too cute not ton put on our list! Take a better look at Bonnie Christine to see how they affixed shortly cut pieces of wood along the bottom and top of their print and added a hanging string.
5. Colourful woven paper frame
Are you the kind of DIY enthusiast who would always choose a colourful option over just about anything else? Well, if you’re also the kind of person who has always loved slightly more classic crafting techniques like rolling and folding paper then we think you’ll really get a kick out of the way Origami Arts & Crafts outlines the process for making this woven, almost abstract looking paper frame with little paper flowers in two corners for a little extra personality.
6. Vintage serving tray to photo frame
Have we really caught your attention with this whole idea of making a photo frame out of something upcycled because you love the concept of repurposing things that might otherwise go unused, giving them a new lease on life, but you’re also hoping to find a larger design that will let you display a bigger print? In that case, we’d encourage you to stop by some vintage shops and find an old tray with enough detail that you think the edges will pop if you paint them! That’s precisely how Dazzle While Frazzled made this beautiful frame.
7. Printed map and clips frame
In addition to being a huge DIY enthusiast, are you also a travel addict who is always planing your next trip and talking about the wonderful memories you’ve made on your previous adventures? Then perhaps you’d get along well with this map printed pallet frame that will look great holding some snaps from your travels. See how the wood was printed and how the hooks were affixed to hold the photos on Pillar Box Blue.
8. Curled newspaper frame
Did we actually really catch your attention when we started talking about photo frame ideas made with paper but you’re just not sure you quite have enough creative experience to make the rolled and woven design we showed you a little earlier on our list? Then perhaps you’d prefer to make something a little simpler but still based in paper crafts! We’d suggest taking a look at how Aashu’s Art embellished a pre-existing frame with circles made from folded and twirled strips of newspaper.
9. Rainbow pom poms picture frame
Have you actually been scrolling through our list hoping to find a design that looks like a fun activity you might do with your kids, since you’re teaching them all about appreciating their memories and loved ones too? In that case, we think you might have a little more lucky checking out how Seven Cherubs used simple wooden frames as a base and embellished them with brightly coloured crafting pom poms for a really fun finished product.
10. Paper quilled flowers photo frame
Were you actually hooked on the idea of paper crafting your frame immediately, the moment we mentioned it, but mostly because you’re a rather skilled DIY enthusiast with a lot of practice in various paper based crafts? Then we think you just might be the perfect person to give this stunning floral paper quilled frame outlined step by step on Guidecentral a try!
11. Fingerprint picture frames
Are you and your kids the kind of hands-on crafters who always have more fun making things together when you can get at least a little bit messy with the process? Then we’d be willing to bet that you’ll get a huge kick out of these lovely customized frames from HGTV that received a brightly coloured makeover using simple finger painting techniques. We love that the finished product looks like confetti!
12. Rolled paper house frame
Perhaps the idea of making a frame from tightly rolled paper tubes the way you saw in the abstract looking woven frame really has been your favourite so far but you’re just not sure that the actual style of the finished product really appeals to you? Then here’s another alternative made with those same techniques for your consideration! Take a closer look at Crafts By Bria to see how they used their rolled tubes to make a photo frame that looks like a little house. We like that this project features spiralled flowers as well, even though its shape differs!
13. Back to school popsicle stick frame
Are you still feeling enamoured with the idea of making a photo frame that’s simple enough for your kids to get in on helping you make, but you’re just not sure that the previous design we showed you quite held your attention enough to get started? In that case, we’d absolutely suggest taking a look at how Glitter on A Dime made this adorable school photo display from a simple binder clip, a sticker, and some crafting popsicle sticks that have been coloured in all different shades.
14. Napkin decoupage floral frame
Just in case you’re still feeling hooked on the idea of making some kind of floral inspired photo frame design but you’re just not feeling convinced when it comes to working with faux flowers or paper spiralled buds, here’s another design for you to think about! Check out how Easy Peasy Creative customized a basic pre-made frame by doing a little bit of napkin decoupage in order to add colour and visual texture!
15. Toy animals photo frame
Like we said before, are you the kind of crafter who is always most inclined to get creative if your idea and materials are a little more unconventional and attention grabbing? Well, if you like bright things that kind of resemble a sense of pop art playfulness, then we think you’ll really enjoy the way this frame from At Charlotte’s House was made by gluing tiny plastic animal figurines to a plain pre-made photo frame.
Have you made other kinds of fantastic DIY photo frames before that you really enjoyed and still have on display but that you don’t see anything quite similar to on our list? Tell us all about what you created and how you did it or link us to photos of your finished work in the comments section!
