3 Creative Upgrades for IKEA Frames: Basic to Chic

IKEA is the best place to shop for affordable picture frames, especially when you have lots of empty walls to fill or a gallery wall to create.

However, they can look a tad basic.

Luckily, the Internet is chock full of creative DIY upgrades for IKEA frames. Turn them into stylish and personalized pieces of art to, well, frame your art.

We turn to Zède @archi_zede for 3 fun embellishment techniques to add a touch of whimsy to IKEA frames.

IKEA Frames Creative DIY Upgrades

Materials Needed:

IKEA frames (various sizes as desired)

Acrylic paint in black

Spray paint in gold

Wooden half balls

Masking tape

Kitchen towel

Hot Glue Gun and Glue Stick

Paintbrushes

Technique 1: Golden Aged Effect with Spray Paint

Start by disassembling the IKEA frame and laying it on a protected surface. Zède used a black YLLEVAD frame (8 ¼x11 ¾”/ 21x30cm).

Apply gold spray paint onto a kitchen towel and gently dab the paint over the frame to achieve an aged, speckled effect. Don’t forget to coat the sides of the frame.

Allow the paint to dry thoroughly before reassembling the frame.

Technique 2: Dimensional Black and Chrome Accents

Begin by selecting an IKEA frame with a thicker frame. Her choice for this DIY project is the FISKBO picture frame (5×7″ / 13x18cm). She painted the light blue frame black to achieve the look she wanted. Pick a color that’s appropriate for your gallery wall.

Using a glue gun, attach half-sphere wooden balls onto the frame, ensuring even spacing. Let it cure, and paint the wooden balls black.

Then, spray gold paint in spurts over the balls for a textured look.

Use a dry tissue and lightly pat the frame to remove the excess gold paint.

Allow the paint to dry completely before reassembling the frame.

Technique 3: Black and White Striped Pattern

Use masking tape to create a striped pattern on the disassembled IKEA frame. Zède picked an IKEA FISKBO (12×16″ / 30x40cm) frame for this picture frame hack.

Apply a coat of black paint over the frame, making sure to cover the spaces between the masking tape for clean lines.

Once the black paint is dry, apply a coat of white paint to the entire frame evenly.

Let the paint dry, then carefully remove the masking tape.

Insert your picture, reassemble the frame, and hang the frame on your wall.

Pro Tip: Paint stripes on the picture mat for a more dramatic effect.

With these three techniques, you can transform your plain IKEA frames into stylish custom pieces. Experiment with colors, patterns, and textures to match your decor style and create a curated wall display. Watch Zède’s reel below for details.

Exploring Different Types of IKEA Frames

IKEA offers a variety of frames that cater to different tastes and room designs. Their collection ranges from classic styles to modern designs, providing options for each unique space and personal preference.

RIBBA Frames

RIBBA Frames are a popular choice for their simplicity and versatility. They come in various sizes, the smallest being 4×6 inches and the largest being 24×35 ¾ inches, as seen on the IKEA website, which can be a stand-alone piece or part of a gallery wall. Each RIBBA frame typically includes a white mat to enhance the presentation of the displayed artwork or photograph.

Here are some of our favorite RIBBA hacks:

Hanging RIBBA picture frames accurately on the wall

Make a multi-time zone clock with Ribba + Rusch

RIBBA gallery-style floating picture frame

LEGO landmarks in RIBBA

Easy DIY LEGO minifigs in a RIBBA frame

Collage Picture Frames

For those who want to display multiple images in an organized fashion, collage picture frames such as the VÄXBO, KNOPPÄNG, and YLLEVAD are excellent choices. IKEA’s collage frames allow users to showcase a collection of memories or themed art pieces together. Their designs vary to accommodate different numbers of photos, making it easy to find one that fits a person’s specific needs.

Photo Frames

Finally, IKEA’s range of photo frames is extensive, offering numerous options for framing cherished photographs. From the classic look of the picture frames to sleek modern designs, customers can find the perfect match for their home decor. They provide both single and multi-photo frames, with some models offering stands or hooks for versatile display options.

IKEA frame hacks you may like:

Kids’ artwork in easy-change picture frames

Tool storage display wall hack

NYTTJA pin board magazine rack

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