Empty Picture-Frame Wall Grouping

Who needs art? Make a bold statement with empty, colorful picture frames.

Empty Picture Frames Against Striped Wall

Create empty pictures frames by shopping at garage sales and thrift stores to gather an assortment of picture frames varying in size, shape and texture. Remove any artwork or photos, then cut and remove picture wire using screwdriver and wire cutters.

By: Brian Patrick Flynn

Related To:

Materials Needed:

assorted picture frames
painter's tape
drop cloth
roll of contractor paper
pencil or marker
hammer
nails
tape measure

notepad and pencil
spray primer
high-gloss spray paint
wire cutters
screwdriver
damp cloth
clip-on spray paint handle

Empty Frames and Remove Picture Wire

To ensure a well-collected look, shop garage sales and thrift stores to gather an assortment of picture frames varying in size, shape and texture. Remove any artwork or photos, then cut and remove picture wire using screwdriver and wire cutters. Cover work area with drop cloth.

Measure Wall

Use tape measure to determine height and width of wall on which frames will be hung. Jot measurements down on notepad using pencil.

Create Layout Template

Roll contractor paper out on a long, flat surface. Play with the frames' layout until you have decided on the placement. Trace each frame's dimensions onto paper using pencil or marker. Identify each frame by adding a piece of numbered painter's tape to the back. Tip: For uniformity, leave approximately the same amount of space between each frame.

Trace each frame's dimensions onto paper using pencil or marker. Identify each frame by adding a piece of numbered painter's tape to the back. Tip: For uniformity, leave approximately the same amount of space between each frame.

Trace each frame's dimensions onto paper using pencil or marker. Identify each frame by adding a piece of numbered painter's tape to the back.

Form a Frame Pattern

Roll contractor paper out on a long, flat surface. Play with the frames' layout until you have decided on the placement. Trace each frame's dimensions onto paper using pencil or marker.

Trace and Number the Frames

Trace each frame's dimensions onto paper using pencil or marker. Identify each frame by adding a piece of numbered painter's tape to the back. Tip: For uniformity, leave approximately the same amount of space between each frame.

Number the Frames

Trace each frame's dimensions onto paper using pencil or marker. Identify each frame by adding a piece of numbered painter's tape to the back.

Update With Color

Before painting, remove dust with damp cloth. Attach spray handle to spray paint can and add a light coat of spray primer. Once primer is dry to the touch, attach spray handle to high-gloss finish color, giving each frame two smooth coats. Tip: For an even finish, maintain a distance of eight inches between frame and spray paint nozzle.

Spray Paint the Frames

Before painting, remove dust with damp cloth. Attach spray handle to spray paint can and add a light coat of spray primer. Once primer is dry to the touch, attach spray handle to high-gloss finish color, giving each frame two smooth coats. Tip: For an even finish, maintain a distance of eight inches between frame and spray paint nozzle.

Hang Template

Once frames are dry, hang paper layout template on wall using painter's tape. Hold each numbered frame up to its corresponding area on template. Determine proper placement of nails using tape measure. Mark the nail hole through the template by gently tapping the tip of a nail through paper.