3 Ideas to Update Old Picture Frames

This post may contain affiliate links.

Update old picture frames with these cute and easy ideas using personal thrifted finds

I have a ton of old picture frames tucked away in closets and cabinets. Picture frames are one of those decorating items that just about everybody has in their home. It’s also an item that goes out of style, but if you are like me you are reluctant to toss a perfectly good picture frame! Good news…you don’t need to you can easily update the frames you have!

Picture frames can be expensive so updating them instead of buying new ones is really a quick fix to freshen up your décor. Picture frames are the small detail that make a house a home and updating will quickly tie things together to make a room feel fresh. I bet you can look around right now and lay eyes on a frame that could use a little tweak!

These three frames weren’t exactly out of style, but they just didn’t go in my house as seamlessly as they used to.

To start the update I used a product I had been wanting to try, Saltwash. This product adds a layer to your project and builds it up while adding texture, it was made to be layered and add age to a piece…like it has been out on a sea side porch for years! I really want to use it on a piece of furniture, but it was good to test drive it on a smaller project like these old picture frames first. I mixed the Saltwash with grey acrylic paint and dabbed it all over the three frames. (just follow the directions it comes with)

Once the Saltwash was dry I painted each frame with another coat of acrylic paint in a different color. Then I sanded it with 220 grit sandpaper until I was happy with the amount of grey showing through. You could stop the makeover here, but I wanted to add some thifted goodies I found.     

I’m always drawn to the table full of buckets and bowls overflowing with miscellaneous old junk. All those little odds and ends are just begging for a second chance. This kind of hunting is always exciting when you want to get out and look around, but don’t have a ton of money to spend and your house is already overflowing with furniture! Look at this table at The Rabbit Hole in downtown Bryan, TX…I picked up a few cute pieces here for a couple bucks and they were the perfect addition to these old picture frames! The first one is a 5 domino, because we are a family of five.Just look at that luscious texture, and to think this was a smooth glass frame to start with!!!

Next I got my boy’s initials. I think they were old sign pieces or something. They have a sporty feel and are perfect for their rooms…The frame I made for my daughter’s room got gussied up with some butterflies left over from a Halloween project…These are plastic kid toys painted with shades of metallic craft paint and a touch of glamour dust. Now a plain old frame is perfect for her room and style!You can add anything that makes your frame personal, goes with a theme or that you simply just like! A little paint and glue can really flip a picture frame on end! Let me know what you would put on your frame, I love hearing your ideas! Don’t forget to pin this project for later!

Here is a supply list for you to try this easy picture frame update!

Saltwash

Glue

Acrylic Paint

Glamour Dust