Decoupaging Picture Frame Ideas

Themed Frame

• Relate the subject of your decoupage picture frame to the subject of the photo within. After selecting a picture for the frame, study its contents and pick paper decorations that are similar. If you have a special photo from a vacation, cut out pictures from travel brochures featuring the area and decoupage them to the frame. For a school picture, use pictures of associated objects, like an apple, ruler and scissors.

Word Frame

• Instead of decoupaging pictures, fill the picture frame border with words. Look through magazines and newspapers and cut out words that describe what’s in the frame. For example, find adjectives that describe a person, or nouns that relate to the subject in the frame. Look for words in different colors and fonts for visual variety. When cutting out the words, try to leave a border around them to account for overlap during the decoupage process.

Minimal Design

• While decoupage often involves covering the entire bare surface of something for a collage-like effect, it doesn’t have to. You can create a minimalistic picture frame decoration by applying only a select few objects. Define the border of the frame by placing identical objects in each of its four corners. Decoupage the person’s name across the bottom of the frame, or form a basic pattern that goes around the edge.

Tissue Paper Frame

• If you’re not looking to decoupage the frame with specific pictures or words, you can still achieve a decorative effect. Rip up different colors of tissue paper into small, uneven pieces. Glue the tissue paper bits to the frame’s edge, covering it completely to form a colorful decoration. Use as many or as few colors as you like.

Holiday Gift Frames

• Turn your decoupage frames into holiday gifts. Many people take photographs during various celebrations, so giving a decoupaged frame as a gift can serve as a display space for a special picture. Handmade gifts like this add a special touch that’s likely to be much appreciated by the recipient.