Craftiness: Update All Your Picture Frames for A Few Bucks

Update All Your Picture Frames for A Few Bucks

When we moved into the new house and were putting all of our art up on the walls, I was all of a sudden totally underwhelmed with what we had. I mean, I love all of the actual art but the frames were so sad and busted looking I was just bummed out. Those frames have been with us for cross-country moves, multiple apartments, and a zillion rearrangements. I really wanted to chuck them all and start fresh but that seemed 1) wasteful and 2) expensive. Frames are expensive, right?! I also didn’t want to get into the whole spray paint thing, because I’ve gone down that road with picture frames and it’s just a mess. So I thought and thought and eventually came up with this little fix: vinyl. Or even contact paper! Anything with a nice finish and a sticky back will do it. Here’s how to update your own frames for just a few bucks.

Materials

Make Time: 20 Minutes Per Frame

Start by cutting a piece of vinyl slightly longer than the long side of your frame. Make it wide enough to wrap from the inside front to the inside back of the frame. Smooth it down on the frame and be sure to get rid of any bubbles.

Slice the edges with the X-Acto knife so that they wrap toward the inside of the frame and cover it completely. Then wrap the other side around the back. Cut away the excess from the ends. Repeat the process on the opposite side.

Keep covering until all four sides are covered. Just carefully cut away excess with the X-Acto knife. When all four sides are covered, make a diagonal slice at each corner and peel away the excess of one layer of vinyl. This will just create a nice, neat corner and give the illusion that it’s an actual frame.

Smooth it all down one more time and put your picture or art in it! BLAM — new picture frames for everyone! I did this to about 5 or 6 frames and it made all the difference in the world. Just find some great vinyl or contact paper and go to town. And isn’t that little Hooray print so cute? It’s actually the card that you get in the mail if you’re signed up for Anthropologie’s birthday list. I’m all about multipurposing! xoxo