Learning About Home Decor Elements

With the abundance of custom frame makers, thrift store gold mines, and other sources of unusual and artistic picture frames, it's easy to think outside the box when decorating. A few preparations and some eclectic details turn picture frames into outdoor decorating centerpieces without costing very much at all. Take your garden, patio, or outdoor kitchen decor to the next level with at least one of these five outdoor picture frame decorating projects.

Chicken Wire Living Frame

With the right substrate and a frame that can handle the outdoor weather, you can create a living piece of art that doesn't take much maintenance at all. Staple a piece of chicken wire to the back of your favorite frame, then attach shallow sides and add layers of Spanish moss and succulent or cactus soil mix. Press everything together and cover with a layer of thin untreated plywood, then spray everything and plant small succulents and similar plants. You can even make a medicinal plant frame with aloe vera and other useful small herbs to make the most of your outdoor space.

Fence Hangers

For decades it's been a perennial style trend to take old and vintage art deco frames and simply hang them on an exterior wall or fence. Even without anything showcased in the center of the frame, the designs of the frames themselves draw the eye along the fence or wall to add decoration and life. Most people choose to use unwanted or even damaged frames so that the weathering effect doesn't harm the value of the decoration, but you can also have custom frames made to your specifications that are designed to withstand the elements from day one. Check out a gallery like Kelly Gallery to find frames. Metal is particularly long lasting painted or uncoated, yet even your favorite woods can last for years with proper waterproofing and UV protection.

Chalkboard Display

Outdoor decorations that encourage creativity get the whole family involved in your garden or patio project. Mounting a durable weatherproof board into your favorite unused art frame and painting the surface with chalkboard paint is a quick way to reuse any frames you have just sitting around gathering dust. If you don't find chalk durable enough or prefer not to use it for the squeaking and scratching of the surface, chalk markers offer a smoother writing experience and allow you to quickly wipe away your designs with a damp cloth when it's time to change them.

Mounted Mirrors

Working with a very small space such as a corner of yard in a subdivision or a postage stamp garden with high fence sides? Mounting at least one mirror, preferably with an artistic and decorative frame around it, can make the space feel and look much larger without much work at all. If you're working with a frame that has unusual dimensions and you can't find a pre-cut outdoor mirror to match, visit a glass shop to have a custom piece of exterior mirror glass cut to your specifications. Make sure the edges are beveled so you don't cut yourself while you're attaching it to the frame. The glass must be tempered as well for safety if a high wind causes it to fall or crack against the wall or fence behind it.

Waterproofing Canvases

Picture frames are meant to be paired with canvases or prints. Paper prints are hard to use outdoors, but wrapped canvases can be waterproofed with a thin layer of outdoor deck sealant applied with a sprayer designed for paint application or pesticide use. Once the canvas itself is waterproofed, protect the frame with layers of polyurethane or similar lacquer based sealants. Attach the frame to the canvas and check both parts regularly for signs of damage like peeling sealant. Recoating the frame and canvas routinely will keep them from degrading due to moisture or UV exposure.