Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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How To Make Wood Frames For Large Art Or Posters

This is it. My most favoritest art ever. Yes I know that’s a big statement. A big statement with a non-word, at that. But it’s all deserved because I’ve framed and hung my bike art and I’m in love. Not only with how the final product looks, but how easy and cheap it was to achieve. So forgive me if my enthusiasm is more annoying than usual today. I’m a man with a love of all things bike and all things easy. Wait, that sounds wrong…

YHL Easy DIY Poster Frames

So here’s that wall before with my retail display cast-offs just pitifully taped to the wall.

Bikes Before

And here they are all framed up. In frames that only cost us $14 to make ($7 each!) and whose most challenging step was finding the patience to let the wood stain dry before I could finally hang them. Seriously, they weren’t hard to make in the least.

Bikes Befores N After1

Here’s how it all went down. Er, up. My $14 was spent on four boards of 6 foot long 1 x 2″ pine from Home Depot.

Bikes 1 Wood

Since we were building two frames, that meant we needed four boards of the same length (for the sides of each of the two frames) and four shorter boards of the same length (for the top and bottom of each of the two frames). To make sure I cut the four sides of my frames (and the four tops/bottoms of my frames) evenly, I clamped four boards together and cut them all at the same time (you could have your boards cut to size at the store if you don’t have access to a saw, btw).

Bikes 2 Clamped N Cutting

So two clamped cuts later I had four long boards (for the two sides of the two frames) and four short boards (for the top and bottoms of each of the two frames).

The short boards were cut to 1-inch longer than the width of the poster to create some overlap (i.e. each poster is 27″ wide, so I made the boards 28″ wide). The side boards were cut to 1-inch longer MINUS the width of the two top boards (i.e. each poster is 39″ tall + 1″ – 0.75″ for the top board – 0.75″ for the bottom board  = 38.5″). This will make a bit more sense soon, I promise…

Bikes 3 Cut

I chose not to complicate matters by doing mitered corners and went for more of a rough and raw look. So attaching the boards into a rectangular frame was pretty easy and completely miter-saw free (seriously, if you had Home Depot cut your four boards to the right sizes, all you’d need to do is the following part at home).

I clamped the pieces tightly together and screwed through the top and bottom boards into the side boards. Oh and it did help to make pilot holes first with a small drill bit so my wood didn’t split when the screws went in.

Bikes 4 Clamped Corner

Here’s what my two frames looked like once everything was screwed together. I didn’t do anything to cover up my screwheads since I figured not many people will be staring at the tops or bottom of the frames once they’re hung (you’d have to be pretty dang tall or lying on the floor to see them). Plus I was going for the raw and imperfect look anyway. A bike’s gears show, so what are a few screws in a few not-easily-seen locations?

Bikes 5 Frames Built

I contemplated leaving the wood raw (since that’s how we originally saw them at store) but Sherry and I agreed they’d look better in a dark stain (we used Minwax’s Dark Walnut since we still had a small can leftover from some project long ago) to tie into a few other wood items in the room like a wood side table and some wooden art over the daybed. Once the stain dried, I put a coat of Safecoat polyurethane over it and patiently waited another night (torture I tell you) to put everything together and hang them up.

Bikes 6 Staining

With everything dry, I laid my posters face down on the back of the frames. The inch I added to each side meant the poster sat on the frame comfortably without being visible along the edges. My poster was printed on pretty sturdy paper (it’s similar to thick poster board) so I was able to just staple it around the edge in a few spots as a means of attaching the art to the frame. If you’re trying this with a poster on thinner paper you might want to consider gluing it to a piece of sturdier poster board to make it less flimsy (maybe use a glue like rubber cement or spray adhesive that won’t make the poster wrinkle when it dries?).

Bikes 7 Stapling

Once I put a few staples around the edges (I did about four per side, but depending how stiff your paper is you might need more) I attached some simple picture frame hanging hardware through the poster and into the wood of the frame – so it wouldn’t show through on the front or anything:

Bikes 8 Picture Hanger

Then those babies were ready to hang. Cue the angels. Part the clouds. I am in bike art heaven. Oh yes, and ignore the way-too-airy table and chairs. Once we have a chunky storage piece of furniture (we have our minds set on something, so we should have that update for you soon) the bike art will have the nice grounded and proportionate look that it deserves.

Bikes 9 After Full

Seriously though, I’m pretty stoked about how they turned out. Obviously the art itself (featuring a deconstructed bike by Public Bikes) is the real star. But I like to think that my frames have at least earned a “best supporting actor” nomination. And heck, they’re honored just to be nominated.

Bikes 10 After Close

We’re both really happy with our decision to use the boards so they raised off against the wall a little bit – giving the poster some dimension instead of just being big and flat. That thick frame feels uncommon and artful – and thanks to the posters being so firm and un-delicate, we don’t anticipate any issues with there being an absence of glass. They’re just like poster board so we think they’ll hold up for a nice long time (of course we can always add glass or plexi if we change our minds, but for now we love them completely unobstructed).

Bikes 11 After Frame Close

Then I had an impromptu make out session with them.

Bikes 12 Makeout

Sherry probably won’t have to witness that again (I can’t make any promises), but I’m glad I can see these babies from the window over our kitchen sink. So she may catch me gazing lovingly at them while doing dishes. And it might just be a love triangle since she occasionally lovingly gazes at me while I do dishes.

So that’s the latest in the sunroom. Can’t wait to share the storage-y piece of furniture that we’ll be adding under the bike art. Soon I hope!

Update: We finally created this Shop Our House page to help you hunt down any furniture/accessories that you see in our house, along with all of our paint colors. 

Comments

  5. Kara says

    I cracked up at the “making out” picture! LOVE IT! I really like how the pieces look, good score!

    So now… the latest sunroom score? John’s got his bike art love (check!) and Sherry has her pillow loves (check!). Now we need a bit of a Clara love and a Burger love in there too!

    Reply

  8. Leah says

    John Petersik, you are hilarious!!! I cracked up at your “make out” picture at the end… took me back to being 10 years old! LOL :)

    This is a great idea… I wonder if it would look good around canvas also? May have to try it!

    Reply

  10. Sandy P. says

    LOL!!! I’m really digging the way the art frame looks. BUT, I have to admit I love John’s embrace. That is soooo funny! Hahahahahaha!!!

    Reply

  15. Meghan, UK says

    The art looks a million times better with the frames – you did a fab job of this! The colour in both pictures really stands out now and they look great in position.

    Side issue, but did you change a bunch of the headers to the blog?

    Reply

  20. Andrea R. says

    I love how they came out!!!!! But I feel like its naked with out glass in front to protect the art from dust, discolorations, etc ….

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, check out the post for that info – we can always add glass or plexi, we just like them bare for now (they’re easy to wipe down since they’re made of posterboard and were displayed sans glass at Gap as well).

      xo
      s

  23. Brad @ Mr. Write Away says

    While the rest of the room is coming along at warp speed, I’d have to say this is my favorite part! I love it.

    PS – I noticed you guys #hashtagging Mariah a few times. I started a new little feature today regarding her! Check it out when/if you get a chance. Or don’t. That’s up to you. #please #imnotbegging #maybealittle

    Reply

  25. Lauren says

    “And it might just be a love triangle since she occasionally lovingly gazes at me while I do dishes.”

    baaahahahaaaa. Hilarious. And true, my husband is sexiest when the dishes are clean :-)

    Reply

  26. Alexandria (Not the Other Alex) says

    That’s probably the funniest post of John’s I’ve read thus far! I just literally laughed out loud! Oh and the frames look great too. haha!

    Reply

  27. schmei says

    Wow – it looks amazing. I think the wall color helps it look even more gallery-cool.

    I daresay that sunroom is starting to become my favoritest room of yours…

    Reply

  28. Maribeth says

    I love those prints!! I used to work at a frame shop and learned a lot about protecting art from the sun. Y’all may want to look into getting some glass that will block out the harmful rays that will bleach out John’s beloved prints! It looks like from pictures it gets pretty sunny in there? Just a thought, as always great ideas and amazing execution : D thank you for inspiring us!

    Reply

    • JessicaB says

      I was thinking that too…. I had a very sad experience with hanging a print I loved near a window with no glass (or frame for that matter), and it was ruined. :(

    • YoungHouseLove says

      You can bet that we’ll be keeping a close eye on these guys and adding plexi/glass or even moving them to hang in a less sunny spot (there’s talk of the guest room) if we worry they’re getting bleached!

      xo
      s

  29. julie s says

    its getting weird that projects on my to-do list keep popping up as your blog tutorials….now i have absolutely no excuses to ‘get on that already’….thank you

    ps love those posters!

    Reply

  32. meerasedai says

    The last picture made me laugh :)

    I have a poster that I’ve wanted to frame for awhile now but its a little more delicate than your posters sound. I’ve looked into just buying something cheap from Ikea before. Where do you guys get most of your frames, like for your gallery wall?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Ikea has awesome and inexpensive frames (with great mats which tend to make things look more expensive). We also occasionally check out Target clearances and love finding them at yard sales and thrift stores since those bring the collective cost down a lot.

      xo
      s

    • Leah says

      IKEA is a good place for smaller frames. Just so you know, I have one of their huge frames (maybe a ribba one? I should look), and it looked great when I got it, but it hasn’t held up over the years. It’s plexi + wood. I’m looking into new options for that poster now.

  36. Dusa says

    Hey kids? Every thing ok, $her-Dog? Just noticed John doing a lot of the posts recently (which is totally fine) just didn’t see your byline.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes, I’m back here doing comments and working on some other projects and posts behind the scenes :)

      Some weeks are John-heavy and others are Sherry-heavy. Haha! But I’ll be back tomorrow with a post I’m working on right now.

      xo
      s

  39. Jessica says

    Those frames look great! Sometimes the simplest things make a big impact!

    Do you have any concerns about the colors fading from the posters due to sunlight exposure? John might need to keep a backup set handy just in case… ;) #hoardallthethings

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Hahah! That room does get a lot of light, but we’ve talked about possibly migrating them to the guest room (not sure yet!) but if they sit in that spot getting beat on by the sun I think we’ll definitely add the plexi or glass that we mentioned in the post. Or we could hoard more if we ever saw them again! Haha.

      xo
      s

  42. Katy @ The Non-Consumer Advocate says

    A make out session with the frames?!

    I just finished having a mirror cut down for a antique library card catalog coffee table, that I also put chunky swivel casters on.

    I think I’ll take it to the airport today so we can join the mile-high club together.

    Decor geek? Not me! ;-)

    Katy

    Reply

  44. Leah says

    I love the process information — it makes me feel better about my own home in transition. So nice to hear the “the table is there because it’s there and not because we love it there” information. We’re in a similar process with coffee tables and side tables in our own home.

    Reply

  46. Kate says

    question John – I always see your love for bikes, but do you actually ride?

    I love that print. My husband would be just as full of glee if I got it for him. We are really into road cycling and triathlons around these parts.

    Reply

  48. Sarah says

    I love this! I recently ordered this print and I’ve been searching for a frame worthy of it’s awesomeness. You have inspired me to give it a try on my own! If everything is a complete fail, I’m only out $14.

    Thank you!

    Reply

  49. sue says

    i don’t know why, but this is one of my favoritest ever posts! your happiness is palpable & i think it’s so lovely that something so simple can bring so much pleasure… personally i think the bike posters look fab and i love to see elements that represent the man of the house in a home (my poor boyfriend is currently reduced to some poker chips & a tv… i’d love to have more stuff in our home that represents him & his taste)… you guys are my daily fix! oh, & more making out with furnishings photos please, that cracked me right up! :)

    Reply

  50. Brenda says

    This definitely has me contemplating framing out some of my art canvases, especially the ones with unfinished edges. It looks easy enough that even I could do it!

    Reply

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