You have the artwork. You love it. Now comes the surprisingly difficult part: choosing a frame.
Walk into any framing shop and you’re faced with hundreds of moulding samples. Wood. Metal. Thick. Thin. Black. White. Natural. Ornate. Minimalist.
It’s overwhelming. And choosing wrong can ruin a piece you love.
At Art On Anything, we have access to over 80 different moulding styles from local suppliers, delivering next day. We’ve helped hundreds of customers match their artwork to the perfect frame.
Here is your complete guide to choosing a frame. No jargon. No pressure. Just principles that work.
The 5 Principles of Frame Selection (Before You Look at a Single Moulding)
Principle 1: The Frame Should Complement, Not Compete
The frame is not the artwork. Its job is to:
- Protect the art (glass, backing, acid-free materials)
- Separate the art from the wall (give it breathing room)
- Enhance the art (without stealing attention)
If someone looks at your framed piece and says “nice frame,” the frame has failed. They should notice the art first. The frame should feel invisible.
Principle 2: Consider the Art’s Style First
| Art Style | Frame Direction |
|---|---|
| Modern / abstract | Thin, minimal, black, white, or metallic |
| Traditional / landscape | Wood, natural tones, moderate thickness |
| Vintage / antique | Ornate, gold or silver leaf, distressed |
| Black and white photo | Black, white, or natural wood – let the photo lead |
| Children’s art | Colourful, playful, or simple white (keeps focus on the art) |
| Botanical / natural | Raw wood, green tones, or natural finishes |
| Canvas print (no glass) | Floater frame (wood or metal) |
Principle 3: Match the Frame to the Room, Not Just the Art
The artwork lives in a room. That room has:
- Wall colour
- Flooring (wood, tile, carpet)
- Furniture (wood tones, metal finishes)
- Other frames (are you building a gallery wall?)
A frame that looks perfect in the shop might clash with your oak floorboards or black metal coffee table. Consider the whole room.
Principle 4: Thin vs. Thick – What Works Where
| Frame Thickness | Best For |
|---|---|
| Very thin (under 15mm) | Small artwork (A4, A3), minimalist spaces, gallery walls with many pieces |
| Medium (15mm – 25mm) | Most standard artwork (A2, A1), balanced and versatile |
| Thick (25mm – 40mm+) | Large statement pieces (A0, Titan), traditional or ornate styles, high ceilings |
Pro tip: Thick frames make art feel heavier and more formal. Thin frames feel lighter and more modern. Choose based on the mood you want.
Principle 5: Mat or No Mat?
A mat (or “mount” in South Africa) is the cardboard border between the artwork and the frame.
| When to use a mat | When to skip the mat |
|---|---|
| Artwork is smaller than the frame (needs filler) | Artwork is a canvas print (no glass needed) |
| You want a classic, gallery look | You want a modern, minimalist look |
| You need to separate art from glass (prevents sticking) | The art has decorative edges (e.g., deckled paper) |
| The art has a signature you want to highlight | You’re on a tighter budget (mats add cost) |
Mat colour rule: Choose a mat that matches the lightest or darkest tone in the artwork. White, off-white, or cream are safe. Coloured mats are risky – they usually compete with the art.
Frame Materials: Wood vs. Metal vs. Floater
Wood Frames
Best for: Traditional, rustic, farmhouse, natural, warm interiors
Pros:
- Warm, natural feel
- Wide variety of stains and finishes
- Can be ornate or simple
Cons:
- Heavier than metal
- Can warp in humidity (cheap wood only – our pine is stable)
- More expensive than basic metal
When to choose wood: Your home has natural elements (wood floors, leather furniture, plants). Your artwork is traditional, botanical, or landscape.
Our wood mouldings: We source from local suppliers with 80+ profiles – from raw oak to dark walnut to painted whites and blacks.
Metal Frames (Aluminium)
Best for: Modern, minimalist, industrial, contemporary
Pros:
- Very lightweight
- Clean, sharp lines
- Often cheaper than wood
- Won’t warp
Cons:
- Cold, industrial feel (not for everyone)
- Limited colours (usually black, silver, white)
- Scratches can be visible
When to choose metal: Your home has modern furniture (glass, metal, leather). Your artwork is photography, abstract, or graphic design.
Our metal mouldings: 28mm black aluminium frames for mirrors and modern canvas floaters.
Floater Frames
Best for: Canvas prints (no glass needed)
Pros:
- Gallery look (canvas “floats” inside the frame)
- Modern and elegant
- Protects canvas edges
Cons:
- Only works for canvases (not paper prints)
- More expensive than standard frames
- Requires perfectly stretched canvas (any waves are visible)
When to choose a floater: You have a canvas print (especially A1, A0, or Titan sizes) and want a museum-quality finish.
Colour: The Most Common Mistake
The most common framing mistake is matching the frame colour exactly to something in the room.
Don’t do that.
Instead:
| Rule | Example |
|---|---|
| Match the undertone, not the colour | If your floor is warm oak, choose a warm wood frame. Not the same colour – but the same warmth. |
| Pull a minor colour from the art | If your painting has a small amount of deep red, a mahogany frame works. If the art is mostly blue, don’t choose a blue frame. |
| When in doubt, choose black, white, or natural wood | These three neutrals work with 90% of artwork and 90% of rooms. |
The Safe Palette (Works For Almost Everything)
| Frame Colour | Works With |
|---|---|
| Black | Modern art, photography, black and white, high contrast |
| White | Children’s art, minimalist, Scandinavian, coastal |
| Natural wood (unfinished or clear coat) | Botanical, landscape, traditional, farmhouse |
| Dark wood (walnut, espresso) | Formal, traditional, rich colours, heritage art |
| Raw oak / light wood | Scandinavian, modern organic, neutral palettes |
The Risky Palette (Proceed With Caution)
| Frame Colour | Risk |
|---|---|
| Gold or silver leaf | Can look cheap or dated if not done well |
| Bright colours (red, blue, yellow) | Almost always competes with the art |
| Two-tone or patterned | Rarely works outside of very specific decors |
By Artwork Type: Specific Recommendations
Family Photos
| Photo Style | Recommended Frame |
|---|---|
| Colour, candid, modern | Thin black or white (keeps focus on the people) |
| Black and white | Natural wood or black |
| Vintage or heritage | Dark wood (walnut) with mat |
| Large canvas print (family portrait) | Floater frame in black or raw wood |
Landscape or Nature Photography
| Scene | Recommended Frame |
|---|---|
| Forest or mountain | Natural wood or raw oak |
| Beach or ocean | White or light wood (driftwood effect) |
| Desert or savanna | Warm wood (walnut or mahogany) |
| Urban or cityscape | Black or dark metal |
Abstract or Modern Art
| Art Style | Recommended Frame |
|---|---|
| Bold colours, geometric | Thin black or white (let the art lead) |
| Minimalist line art | Thin black or floater frame |
| Large abstract canvas | Floater frame (no glass) |
Children’s Art
| Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|
| Simple white frame | Keeps the focus on the child’s work |
| Colourful frame (only if it matches a minor colour in the art) | Can be fun, but test it first |
| No glass if possible | Glass can be dangerous, and kids’ art is often textured |
Certificates, Diplomas, Memorabilia
| Item | Recommended Frame |
|---|---|
| Certificate or diploma | Medium wood (walnut or mahogany) with mat |
| Sports jersey | Deep shadow box frame (our custom service) |
| Medal or award | Shadow box with neutral backing |
Real Examples from Our Workshop
Example 1: Modern abstract A2 canvas
Art: Bold blues, greens, and golds. Organic shapes.
Room: White walls, grey sofa, oak floors.
Our recommendation: Black floater frame.
Why: The black creates contrast against the white wall. The floater frame gives a gallery look. The warm oak floor and grey sofa don’t compete with the art.
Example 2: Black and white wedding photo, A1
Art: Portrait of couple, soft lighting, emotional.
Room: Bedroom with white furniture, cream walls, soft linens.
Our recommendation: Natural raw oak frame with white mat.
Why: The raw oak is warm but not dark. The white mat separates the photo from the frame and adds elegance.
Example 3: Children’s finger painting, A4
Art: Messy, colourful, joyful.
Room: Kids’ bedroom with bright accents.
Our recommendation: Simple white frame, no mat.
Why: The white frame disappears. The art is the star. No mat keeps it playful, not formal.
Our Frame Selection Process (How We Help You Choose)
When you bring us your artwork (or send us a photo), here’s what we do:
| Step | What Happens |
|---|---|
| 1 | Show us the artwork (in person or via WhatsApp) |
| 2 | Show us the room (a photo of the wall where it will hang) |
| 3 | Tell us your budget (we never upsell) |
| 4 | We pull 3–5 moulding samples that match your art and room |
| 5 | Hold the samples next to your art (in our workshop or via video call) |
| 6 | You choose. We frame. You collect. |
We don’t pressure you. We don’t overwhelm you with 80 options. We narrow it down to what actually works.
The Cost of Custom Framing (Transparent Pricing)
Custom framing costs more than buying a ready-made frame from a big-box store. Here’s why:
| Cost Component | Why It Costs |
|---|---|
| Moulding | Wood, metal, or ornate profiles – priced by the metre |
| Mat | Acid-free mat board (prevents art damage) |
| Glass | Standard, non-glare, or UV-protective |
| Backing | Acid-free foam board or hardboard |
| Labour | Cutting, joining, mounting, cleaning, assembly |
| Hardware | Wire, D-rings, bumpons |
Typical price range for custom framing in Pretoria:
| Size | Approximate Range |
|---|---|
| A4 (21 x 29.7cm) | R250 – R500 |
| A3 (29.7 x 42cm) | R400 – R800 |
| A2 (42 x 59.4cm) | R600 – R1,200 |
| A1 (59.4 x 84.1cm) | R900 – R1,800 |
| A0 (84.1 x 118.9cm) | R1,500 – R3,000+ |
These are estimates. Contact us for a firm quote on your specific artwork and moulding choice.
Ready to Frame Something?
We make it easy:
- WhatsApp us a photo of your artwork and the wall where it will hang
- Tell us your budget
- We send you 3–5 moulding recommendations with prices
- You approve. We frame. You collect or we courier.
No obligation. No hidden fees. Just honest guidance from people who care about art.
WhatsApp: +27 64 504 6275
Final Verdict: A Simple Decision Tree
| Question | Answer | Your Frame Direction |
|---|---|---|
| Is it a canvas print? | Yes | Floater frame (black, white, or raw wood) |
| No (paper print) | Proceed ↓ | |
| Is the art modern or abstract? | Yes | Thin black, white, or metal |
| No (traditional) | Proceed ↓ | |
| Does your home have warm wood floors? | Yes | Warm wood frame (walnut, mahogany, natural oak) |
| No (grey or tile floors) | Black or white frame | |
| Are you framing one piece or a gallery wall? | One piece | Choose a frame that stands alone |
| Gallery wall | Match all frames or deliberately mix |
Still unsure? We’ve framed hundreds of pieces. Let us help you choose.
Art On Anything – Art That Speaks
*Hand-stretched in Pretoria. 30mm chunky wood. Ready to hang.*