30 Creative Uses For Picture Frames (Missing Parts and All!)

We’ve heard of paint colors going out of style, and furniture for that matter, but picture frames? One would think you could just insert artwork and be done with it. But from the countless selections of discarded picture frames found at any thrift store or flea market, not to mention the discount aisle at Target, apparently, it’s a thing.

Luckily for those of us who like to re-use what we can, recycled picture frames can be redeployed in so many new ways.

Bonus: Finding other uses for picture frames certainly helps keep them out of a landfill…longer.

Double bonus: Giving those discarded treasures a new purpose is super-smart when trying to stay on budget in the process of a room makeover.

Below is a list of over 30 uses for picture frames including reusing frames that no longer match your decor, frames that look out of date, and even frames with missing parts like the glass, the matting, or the backing.

General Ideas for frames that have all their parts and pieces

Replace what’s in the frame

Sometimes, you like the frame, but not what it’s framing. In this case you can replace the artwork or photos with something you do like.

• Print out your own photos or designs at your local photo center.
• Create your own designs with an app like PicMonkey or Canva, to name a few.
• Replace the old art with a cool scrapbook paper design (as shown above).
• Change the artwork up with a vintage map.
• Frame a souvenir paper gift bag from your vacation.
• Make Re-Purposed Gift wrap artwork like this one from The Boondocks Blog
• Create new art with upcycled calendar artwork from The Creativity Exchange.

• Frame something important to you, like an old record, an album, your child’s first drawing, a favorite magazine cover, and so on.

Decorate the frame (itself) in some way shape or form:

• Decorate the frame by gluing on shells or paper flowers or something similar.
• Paint the frames the same color as your wall, or a complementary color, or all the same color, or choose 2-3 different colors.
• Give the frames a wood grain look with gel stain.
• Try Mandala dot painting (video) on the frame.
• Decoupage the frames with a map, napkins, or scrapbook paper.
• Get inspired by these other super-cool frame-decorating ideas as seen at Mod Podge Rocks.

Recycling ideas for picture frames that are missing the glass

There’s plenty of ways you can reuse picture frames even if the glass is missing. See the list below for the clever ways this can work for you.

• Print out and mount any of the gazillion free printables available online. They often show better without the glare of the glass anyway. Make sure to add a layer of cardboard to the back to make up for the space of the missing glass. See how easy it is in this example.

• Turn old art frames into chalkboards, with just a few craft supplies
• Purchase a roll of cork and make your own framed cork board.
• Make a wine cork bulletin board because you knew there was a reason you save all those wine stoppers.
• If you’ve got extra fabric that you want to use up, make a fabric covered bulletin board.
• Grab some branches from your garden and frame them.
• Turn smaller frames into food and drink title labels to place on your party table. Use any “word program” to type out the food titles. Print and frame (you may need to trim the paper to fit, but no one will know or care. So cool.
• Try any of these amazingly cool 3D art frame ideas.
• Consider making a tray, or making a tiered tray.
• How about making this gorgeous hanging lantern?
• And don’t forget, you can always decorate with empty frames.

Uses for picture frames that are missing the backing

You have a picture frame but the backing is nowhere to be found. What can you do with it?

Option#A: Make a new backing

Use either foam board, heavy-duty cardboard, or wood. Measure the back opening, mark, and cut a new backing piece with a straight edge cutter. Boom, you’re good to go.

Option #B: Recycle it into something new.

• Make a faux floating glass frame, like this floating moss shamrock, or floating glass twig nameplate.
• Make a “Sharpie on Glass” sign.
• Do an Image on Glass transfer.
• Try making this pressed flower art using two same-sized frames.
• Try Mandala dot painting on the glass.
• Learn how to photo transfer on the glass.

• Covert several frames into your own terrarium.
• Construct several frames into your own luminary or lantern.
• Create a tabletop photo luminary.

Update all the unseen picture frame mounting parts and pieces

Whatever uses for picture frames you are inspired by, the unseen parts and pieces of the frame can easily be updated to revive your frame, as well.

Foamboard, picture points, and new hanging hardware can make an old frame seem more sturdy and a little fresher, to boot. Plus these items are pretty inexpensive and come in larger quantities, so you can use them to do a bunch at a time. The foam board will need to be cut down with a straight edge knife and metal ruler as well.

But, once you have all your stock of supplies, you might find you’ll like reusing old frames to make new art for your walls more often than not.

Reuse the matte board (or mat board)

Have you ever reused old picture frames for new artwork or even upcycled one into something else?

I’d love to hear about it.

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Post updated 7/9/2020