Double Matting Styles

Components of a Double Mat

• The visual purpose of a mat is to display art in a way that sets it apart from the world around it and showcases its beauty. Double mats consist of a large cardboard window with a smaller cardboard window beneath it which is slightly smaller than the piece of art. The smaller mat provides a narrow border around the art while the larger mat separates the art from the frame. The combination of the two mats offers a myriad of design possibilities.

Color Selection for Double Matting

• Selecting the colors for double mats can be an invigorating challenge. You must take into account not only the artwork, the frame and the interplay between the two mats but also the decor of the room in which the art will be displayed. A wide mat in a neutral white or cream with a narrow black accent can be a safe and effective choice. For an even more subdued look, select two neutral shades that offer texture and depth but little contrast. To make your artwork pop, choose mat colors found in the art itself. Mats that echo the home's color scheme create a grounded focal piece.

Perfect Proportions

• Adjust the width of mats in relation to the artwork to create a high-impact, individualized feel. Typically, mats found when purchasing ready-to-go frames for photos are around 2 inches wide and white. These mats offer a traditional look that works well but seldom stands out. In many cases that is ideal, but there are other possibilities well worth exploring. A very wide mat framing a small piece of art can give the piece a visual weight and contemporary feel that will instantly update a room. A narrow, understated duo of mats draws the eye in close.

Material Choices

• Although most mats are made of solid color matboard, a range of materials, surface designs and textures offers a wealth of possibilities. Consider pairing a printed mat with a metallic inner accent. The combination of a wide linen mat with a velveteen accent is a tried-and-true winner. Kids' artwork used as a mat with a solid interior border can be the ideal choice for family photos. The flexibility and effective pairing of double mats allows you to deliver a one-two design punch that displays your art to perfection.