A series of six black and white photos in gold picture frames, accented with oversized mats, are neatly arranged on a black wall with white wainscoting. Each frame contains a different portrait, creating a cohesive, elegant display.
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DIY Oversized Picture Frame Mat

ByLisa
2 Comments

Last week I revealed our modern hallway makeover and this week I want to talk about one of my favorite elements, the DIY oversized picture frame mats. When I decided I wanted to tackle this space I knew I wanted to display some of the many family photos not being seen on my computer. I think we can all relate when I say too many photos never make it off the camera or phone. But I wanted to change that! So I came up with a simple DIY to show off these beautiful family pictures and tie them all together. Let me walk you through how I did it 🙂

Three framed black-and-white photographs with gold borders hang on a dark green wall above white wainscoting. Text at the bottom reads "DIY Oversized Picture Frame Mat" with a website link below. Each picture frame exudes elegance and sophistication, enhancing your living space.This post contains affiliate links. For more information, please see my policies.

I definitely have a little bit of a love hate relationship with family photos. I love the idea of displaying cherished memories, but being a child of the 80s I am a bit traumatized by the old school spread of EVERY photo ever taken adorning the walls in dated oak frames. So you can see my hesitation, haha! Nonetheless, I was determined to find a modern solution. I must confess, I was definitely inspired by these oversized frames, but at over $100 a pop for the large size that was just not happening. 

DIY Oversized Picture Frame Mat

Step 1

Picking a frame. If you have been around for a while, you know I love IKEA and I think they are a great resource for picture frames. I have used their frames all over and most recently on my DIY Art Ledge. So it should come as no surprise I chose the gold  Silverhojden for this project. I liked the contrast of the gold with the dark walls and the price was right.An oversized gold-framed picture frame hangs on a textured black wall. The frame houses a blank brown paper in the center, gracefully bordered by a white mat. In the lower left corner of the wall, a small signature reads "Garrison Street Design Studio.

Step 2 

Order additional mats. The IKEA picture frames I used do come with mats with an opening for an 8×10 photo but since I wanted to achieve that oversized picture frame mat look, I ordered these to take the opening down to a 5×7. 

A stack of ten white photo mats, each with a 5x7 opening, creates the perfect picture frame for an image of a rural dirt road lined with trees under a clear sky. "10 Pack" is subtly displayed on the oversized mat at the front, adding a touch of elegance to any photograph.

Step 3 

Choose your photos. I’m not going to lie. This was the most time consuming part of the process. I may or may not have spent hours going down memory lane trying to select just the right photos for this project 🙂 

A collection of black and white photos spread on a dark round table alongside a pair of scissors, blue tape, an oversized picture frame, and a potted plant. A modern living room with a TV and fireplace is in the background.

Step 4

Add the second mat to the picture frame. With the frame back off, I lined up the smaller mat with the center of the larger mat and taped it with painters tape. I like using painters tape because it isn’t as sticky as some others and it allows you to peel it back and reposition without damage. Don’t worry, you can’t see the blue through the mat. 

An oversized tabletop displays a picture frame, scissors, and blue painter's tape for mounting a photo. A black-and-white photo and an oversized mat board are visible, alongside additional supplies like black paper and an adhesive roll.

Step 5

Add your photos to the picture frame. Again, I used painters tape to secure my photos to the smaller mat so I can swap them out later or reposition them without causing damage to the mat or the photo.

An oversized wooden picture frame lies on a table, with a photo mat neatly taped in the center. Scissors, a paper cutter, and an envelope are nearby. Partially visible black and white photos scatter across the surface.

Step 6

Hang up your photos and enjoy your new oversized picture frame mats! See, I told you this was a really easy project!An oversized black and white photo hangs on a textured dark wall, encased in a golden picture frame with a delicate mat. The image captures two people sitting on a couch with their dog. Beneath the frame, "Garrison Street Design Studio" is subtly inscribed on the wall.

Designer TIP

When grouping multiple photos together, using black and white makes for a more modern look and provides a cohesive feel like they all go together rather than having multiple colors competing for attention. Repeating picture frames also gives a clean and consistent feel and keeps the grouping from looking cluttered.  

Hallway with a black accent wall featuring oversized black and white photos in gold picture frames. The lower half of the wall has white wainscoting. A patterned rug is on the floor.

A hallway with black walls and white wainscoting features six framed black-and-white photos in oversized gold picture frames. A green plant is positioned near a patterned black-and-white mat on the floor.

I am so excited to not only have a new modern hallway design but also finally be displaying some of my favorite family photos! If you are part of my family and didn’t make it to the wall of fame that just means the next time I see you we need to take some pictures 😉 Make sure you follow me on Instagram stories to see our next project in action and all the behind the scenes!  

An oversized picture frame with brown paper labeled "Before" features an arrow pointing to another frame below. The bottom frame showcases a black-and-white photo of people, labeled "After." Both frames, adorned with gold edges and a subtle mat finish, stand out against the dark wall.

If you enjoyed my DIY Oversized Picture Frame Mat, please share it on Facebook or hover over an image and save to Pinterest! And if you don’t already follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, or Facebook, I would love for us to be friends!

A modern interior showcases a black wall adorned with three monochrome photographs in oversized gold picture frames. The lower half is elegantly finished with white paneling. An artfully placed potted plant sits on a mat-covered rug in the foreground, adding a touch of greenery.

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Gallery wall with six black and white photos in sleek gold frames on a dark wall. Text in the center reads "DIY Oversized Picture Frame Mat" and "www.GarrisonStreetDesignStudio.com" on a crisp white mat, enhancing the stylish presentation..

This post, DIY Oversized Picture Frame Mat, appeared first on Garrison Street Design Studio.

2 Comments

  1. Are you kidding?? You are a genius. This is so damn beautiful in every way. The frames from IKEA are perfect and your re-engineering them with the 5 x 7 mats in back of the 8 x 10 mats looks so good. Also, printing photos in black and white (actually could print them in sepia too I think) makes them look very art gallery like. I’m always looking for ways to do unique framing, and this is wonderful. I also like that you can easily switch out the photos with the painter’s tape. Like I said, genius!!! Hats off to you.

    Reply

    1. Thank you so much Jacqueline! I am so glad you like it. You are right, sepia would make a really pretty gallery wall too 😉

      Reply

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