Elena Rossi
Building a floating frame for a painting is a great way to upgrade your artwork without breaking the bank. Floating frames are a stylish and versatile way to display your paintings, and they're relatively simple to make. With just a few tools and materials, you can create a custom frame that will make your artwork shine. In this project, you'll learn how to measure, cut, and assemble your frame, as well as how to add your own personal touches with paint or stain. So get ready to roll up your sleeves and create a beautiful floating frame that will elevate your painting to the next level!
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of frame | Floating frame |
| Materials | Wood, nails, wood glue, clamps, saw, sandpaper, paint or stain, hanging hardware |
| Cost | Under $10 |
| Tools | Table saw, miter saw, nail gun, hammer, sander, drill, biscuit joiner |
| Wood type | Pine, poplar, oak, spruce, hardwood, softwood |
| Wood treatment | Sanding, staining, painting |
| Wood thickness | Depends on canvas thickness; e.g. 1" x 2", 1" x 3", 3/4" |
| Frame size | Slightly larger than canvas with a gap; e.g. 1/8" gap, 1/2" gap |
| Process | Measure artwork, sketch plans, cut wood at 45-degree angles, assemble frame, attach to wall |
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What You'll Learn
Measure your artwork and cut your wood to size
The first step to building a floating frame is to measure your artwork. Measure the height and width of your artwork, as this will serve as the base for your frame's inside measurements. You will need to leave a little extra room so that the artwork will easily fit into the frame once it's built.
Next, you will need to cut your wood to size. The length of your frame will depend on the size of your artwork and the desired gap between the canvas and the inside of the frame. For example, if you want a 1/8" gap around your canvas, you should add 1/4" to the length, plus the thickness of your wood.
If your canvas is thinner, you can choose thinner wood for your frame, but you will need to adjust the measurements so that the painting sits flush with the frame. You will also need to account for the overlap of the wood in the corners, so the sides should be slightly longer than the actual canvas size.
When cutting your wood, be very careful to cut it exactly, or slightly longer than, the measured length. Corner joints can be tricky, so take your time and measure twice! You will also need to cut your wood at a 45-degree angle to create mitered corners.
You can also cut pocket holes in your wood, which will allow you to attach the frame pieces together without making any marks on the outside of the frame.
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Assemble the frame with glue and nails
When assembling the frame, you will need wood glue and finish nails. You can also use a nail gun. Cut your wood to size, ensuring that the frame is slightly larger than the canvas to create the floating effect. You will need four pieces of wood for the sides of the frame, and four corner braces.
Before assembling the frame, you may wish to stain or paint the wood. Sanding the wood before building the frame will also make the prep work for painting easier.
Apply wood glue to the joints of the frame. Use two nails per corner, nailing into the top and bottom pieces only. You can also attach corner braces by inserting a finish nail at an angle into each end. Don't forget to use wood glue on the braces as well.
If you are using pocket holes, you can attach the "shelf" to the sides of the frame without making any marks on the outside of the frame. Drilling pocket holes in the shelf pieces and attaching them to the frame from the inside will result in a strong joint.
Finally, place the canvas back into the finished frame and use spacers to evenly centre it. Flip the canvas and frame over onto a hard, even surface. Hammer finish nails through the back of the braces to secure the canvas in place.
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Paint or stain the frame
Now that your frame is assembled, it's time to paint or stain the frame. This is a good opportunity to personalise your frame and make it your own.
If you plan to paint the frame, it is recommended to sand the wood first. Sanding the wood will make the prep work for painting easier than trying to sand once the frame is assembled. Use a sandpaper sponge or electric sander to smooth the wood. After sanding, wipe off any excess sawdust with a dry cloth.
If you want to stain your frame, there are a few options to choose from. You can use a light coat of Minwax Driftwood, which gives the wood a hint of colour while still allowing the natural grain to show through. Alternatively, you can use a darker stain like Driftwood to create a more dramatic effect. If you are using a common type of wood, it is recommended to use pine wood instead as it accepts stain better and requires less sanding.
Once the paint or stain is dry, you can add a hanging kit to the back of the frame and hang your artwork.
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Attach hanging hardware
Now that you have built the frame, it's time to attach the hanging hardware. This is a crucial step, as it will ensure that your painting is securely attached to the wall and will determine how straight and level it hangs. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Gather the Necessary Materials:
First, ensure you have the required materials for this step. You will need brackets, hangar wire, and adhesive bumpers to protect your wall from any damage. These are typically included in hanging kits, which you can purchase at most hardware stores or art supply stores.
Measure and Mark:
Before drilling any holes or attaching the hardware, carefully measure and mark the locations for your brackets or hanging wire. This will ensure that your frame is level when hung. Measure the width of your frame and mark the centre point. This is where your hanging wire or centre bracket should be placed. If using brackets, mark the locations for each bracket, ensuring they are evenly spaced and aligned.
Drill Pilot Holes:
Using a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the screws you will be using, drill pilot holes at each marked location. This will guide your screws and prevent the wood from cracking or splitting when you insert the screws. Drill slowly and carefully, applying gentle pressure to avoid drilling through the front of the frame.
Attach the Hanging Hardware:
Now, you can attach your chosen hanging hardware. If using brackets, insert screws through the brackets and into the pilot holes. Tighten them securely, but be careful not to overtighten, as this could cause the wood to crack. If using hanging wire, thread the wire through the pilot holes and secure it with small eye hooks or screw eyes. Pull the wire taut and twist the ends together to create a secure hanging loop.
Test the Hanging Hardware:
Once the hardware is attached, test its durability by gently pulling on the wire or brackets to ensure they are securely fastened. You can also place the frame against a wall and let it hang, ensuring it is level and straight.
Attach Adhesive Bumpers:
Finally, attach the adhesive bumpers to the back of the frame. These will protect your wall from any scratches and will also help to keep the frame level and prevent it from shifting once hung.
Now, your floating frame is ready to be hung, and your painting will be beautifully displayed!
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Centre the canvas and secure it in place
Now that you have your frame and canvas ready, it's time to centre and secure your canvas in place.
First, place the canvas inside the frame. Use spacers to evenly centre the canvas. You can use anything from a cut-up cardboard box to small wooden blocks as spacers. Don't worry if the gap isn't even all the way around, as it won't be noticeable once the canvas is secured.
Now, flip the canvas and frame over onto a hard, even surface. If your canvas is recessed back from the frame, you may need to elevate it slightly. You can use a wood shelf bracket or any similar object, and place a towel between the canvas and the object to protect the artwork.
With the canvas against a solid surface, you can now secure it in place. You can use finish nails or screws for this. Hammer or drill through the back of the frame's corner braces or brackets to secure the canvas.
If you used nails, be sure to use wood glue as well for added security. If you're concerned about the visibility of the nails or screws, you can paint over them or cover the gap with dark tape or paper.
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Frequently asked questions
A floating frame is a stylish way to display canvas art, from paintings to canvas photo prints. They are made to be slightly bigger than the canvas itself, with an intentional gap all the way around, making the canvas look like it's floating inside the frame.
You will need basic woodworking tools such as a miter saw, a nail gun, wood glue, clamps, and sandpaper. You can use scrap wood or purchase wood from a hardware store.
First, measure the height and width of your artwork to determine the inside frame cuts. Cut your wood at a 45-degree angle, slightly longer than the measured length. Assemble the frame using wood glue and nails, and attach corner braces by inserting nails at an angle.
You can paint or stain the frame to match your desired aesthetic. Add spacers to centre the canvas within the frame, then flip it over and hammer finish nails through the back of the braces. Finally, add a hanging kit to the back and hang your artwork.
