DIY Wooden Frame Decor: From Plain to Pretty!

This wooden frame decor idea is super simple. You can take these plain boring frames from bland to beautiful with minimal effort and it’s super affordable! With a little glue, some spray paint and some foam sheets, there’s no limit to how creative you can get!

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DIY WOODEN FRAME DECOR

If you’re anything like me, you LOVE a good do-it-yourself home decor project. Extra props if it’s super affordable and budget friendly. This wooden frame glow-up fits the bill and was really simple to make.

I bought these frames at Michaels for less than $2 each, and the foam sheet was even less! You can use geometric foam stickers if you have those handy, plus your fave colour of spray paint. You can create any number of shapes, patterns or designs you can think of and the end result is really stunning.

This step-by step tutorial will show you how I made one of my frames from start to finish. If any of you make some of your own, I’d love to see what you come up with!

Supplies you’ll need:

The full printable list of instructions is available at the end of this post, but here’s a list of affiliate links that will take you to products on amazon that are similar to the supplies I used to make them.

The great thing about this project is how few materials you need to make it!

Cutting your pieces:

Take the cardboard insert out of the frame and set it aside. Place the frame on top of the foam sheet and trace around it with a pen or pencil.

Trace the opening on the inside as well.

Using a pair of scissors, cut your frame template out of the foam.

Designing your pattern:

You can design any shape/pattern you want. The beauty part is no matter what you design, it will fit perfectly since you have an identical, foam template of your frame.

I kept it simple, and used straight lines around the whole thing. I decided on a basic pattern that was somewhat symmetrical but didn’t want it to be perfect.

Next, using a rotary blade or a sharp pair of scissors, cut out each of the shapes.

Once all your shapes are cut, start arranging them on your frame. Play around and let the design develop organically. Try different configurations to see what you like the best.

Don’t cover your frame completely, the point is to have some negative space along with the raised pieces.

Once you have them all laid out, grab your glue gun and start gluing those suckers down! Move clockwise around the frame.

Priming your frame:

When each of the foam pieces are secure, you can get ready to prime your frame! This step is optional, although I do recommend it. Priming your frame will help any colour you choose to look brighter and more true to tone.

The white foam works better than its red, blue and yellow counterparts, and makes it easier to cover without hints of coloured foam peaking through.

_{It goes without saying but any time you use spray paint of any kind, make sure you use it outdoors, or in a very well ventilated area like a garage. Wear a mask so you don’t breathe anything in!}

Leave your freshly primed frame to dry according to the directions on the can. I usually play it safe and leave it for a good 3-4 hours before adding colour on top.

Painting your frame:

Now for the fun part – adding the colour! For this frame I used Mtn 94 matte paint in the shade Sagan Blue.

Spray even coats and leave to dry for another 3-4 hours. You’ll need at least 2 coats to fully cover everything. Before adding your second coat, rotate the frame 180 degrees so you are sure to hit the places you didn’t get on the first round. Leave to dry overnight.

Once your frame is fully dry you can go ahead and add a photo or whatever you want inside! The foam adds such a cool texture and the frame ends up looking really chic and modern don’t you think?

I made a second one with geometric foam stickers. I love how it turned out and how well it goes with the first frame!

These geometric frames would look amazing styled on a shelf or a mantle.

If you’re like me, and love making handmade gifts, these would be perfect, especially with a sentimental photo or original print nestled inside.

DIY Wooden Frame Decor – Tips and Tricks:

Save the cardboard insert that comes with your frame. You can use it to trace around the photo or print you place inside it so it fits perfectly! (Especially helpful if your frame is a strange size like mine was.)
Don’t worry if the pen/pencil marks are facing up on your foam pieces before you paint them. The spray paint will totally cover them, especially if you do primer + two coats!
When your paint is dry, you might find a few of your foam pieces are lifting off the wood. No problem! Just grab your glue gun and add a bit more glue so they lay flat and secure.
Varnish Coat – this is totally optional but feel free to give your frame one more coat of a matte finishing spray/varnish to keep the colours brighter longer.

DIY Picture Frame Decor

Such a simple and modern way to decorate a plain wooden frame.

Scissors/rotary cutter
Glue gun
Cutting Mat

1 plain wooden picture frame ((any size))
1 sheet craft foam ((white))
1 can primer
1 can spray paint ((any colour))

Take the cardboard insert out of the frame and set it aside. Place the frame on top of the foam sheet and trace around it with a pen or pencil. Trace the opening on the inside as well.
Using a pair of scissors, cut the frame template out of the foam.
Grab a pen and draw your design on the foam template, then cut the shapes out.
Once all the shapes are cut, arrange them on the frame. Try different configurations to see what works best. Remember to keep some negative spaces alongside the foam pieces.
Using a glue gun and working clockwise, secure each of the foam pieces to the wooden frame, one by one.
In a well ventilated area, spray the entire frame with a coat of primer. Leave to dry for 3-4 hours.
Once dry, add the first coat of spray paint. Leave to dry 3-4 hours. Rotate the frame, then add a second coat of paint. Leave for 24 hours to cure.
Finish the frame with a coat of matte varnish spray. (Optional)
Add a photo/print. Your frame is ready to be styled and put on display!

This picture frame decor idea is really creative and super affordable! You can take a plain wooden frame and turn it into a geometric masterpiece you’ll love to have on display. The foam pieces can be designed/arranged in a number of ways and add a chic texture to the surface of the frame! Such a simple and modern way to decorate a plain wooden picture frame.