Framed wall art does more than fill up empty spaces—it reflects your personality, style, and intentions for a room. Whether you’ve carefully selected wall art decor to create a cozy living room or curated pieces that bring inspiration and energy into your workspace, you’ve already invested thought and care into making those spaces uniquely yours. But selecting the perfect frame or print is only part of the equation; maintaining your framed art is just as essential to ensure it remains an enduring part of your environment.

Proper care requires more than a quick dusting now and then. Caring for your collection is an ongoing commitment: constant attention is required to both the artwork and its frame to prevent fading, wear, and damage over time. To help you maintain your wall decor’s original charm and vibrancy, we’ve put together 7 unique tips to take care of framed art prints.

If we’re talking about preserving picture frames, the best practices come from the experts: galleries and museums. These institutions have been responsible for maintaining large framed wall art for centuries, so one of their top rules is worth noting—keep art out of direct sunlight.

Ultraviolet rays gradually bleach artwork and can damage frame finishes, much like how outdoor furniture fades over time. Overhead lighting, ambient daylight, and dispersed natural light are safer alternatives, so if you’re looking for picture placement on wall ideas, focus on placing your pieces in spots where direct sunlight won’t reach them.

Art placement doesn’t have to be static. We recommend rotating your framed pieces every few months as a simple but effective way to minimize prolonged exposure to light and environmental stressors, especially for delicate works like watercolors or photographs.

If you're relocating your artwork and don't plan to return it to its original spot, you may find picture-hanging residue or minor wall damage left behind. Here’s our guide on how to get around that:

While gallery guidelines for preserving framed art are ideal, they aren’t always practical for everyday living spaces. Here’s a tip from art collectors we’ve run into: if the temperature and humidity in a room feel comfortable to you, they’re likely also safe for your artwork. Larger spaces with steady climate conditions, such as air-conditioned rooms, hallways, or dimmer areas, are great for maintaining stability. 

On the other hand, avoid placing delicate pieces in smaller areas prone to rapid humidity changes, like bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms, as these environments can lead to dampness and mold.

To ensure climate consistency, aim for a temperature range of 69 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit and prioritize spaces with minimal temperature fluctuations. 

The hardware behind your frame are the MVP's keeping everything securely in place– so naturally, it ought to be part of your routine maintenance check! Fluctuating temperatures and humidity levels can encourage mold growth at the back of the frame, compromising the integrity of wall hooks, hangers, or other mounting hardware. While many of these feature some anti-corrosion coatings to resist rust, keeping a stable climate around the artwork will benefit both the framed print and the hardware in the long run.

Consider adding bumpers to all four frame corners to minimize dampness and prevent mildew growth. They create a slight gap between the frame and the wall, allowing airflow behind the artwork. This simple adjustment helps maintain a dry environment, preventing moisture buildup that could compromise all the behind-the-scenes elements, especially for framed canvas wall art.

We have a handy guide for how to take care of the backstage heroes of your framed pieces:

When cleaning your framed print, carefully remove it from the wall first. If you’re unsure how to clean a picture frame, here’s a simple tip: a dry wipe should be enough for both metal and wood art frames.

Use a dry microfiber cloth to gently wipe away the initial layer of dust. A soft brush works well for tighter corners to clear out hard-to-reach areas. Keep the cloth dry or slightly damp with water, but avoid harsh cleaning solutions that could damage a painted picture frame and its finish, lacquer, or protective coatings.

If your frame has protective glass or acrylic glazing, start by wiping it down with a microfiber cloth—dry dusting is usually enough for routine maintenance. Try to avoid using cleaning products too frequently, as they can wear down the glaze over time. Reserve cleaning solutions (isopropyl or denatured alcohol are good enough) for noticeable dirt or oil smudges, and when needed, spray the solution onto the cloth rather than directly onto the glass. This is to prevent the liquid from seeping into the frame and potentially damaging the print inside.

Different spaces demand different levels of durability and functionality from picture-hanging hardware. Galleries rely on professional-grade solutions to ensure the safety of valuable artwork, and collectors and designers often seek hardware with modern features that tweak the traditional picture hooks to make them more efficient. However, high-quality hardware isn’t just for the experts—it’s essential for any homeowner or business owner aiming to protect their art in high-traffic spaces like living rooms, offices, or retail stores.

Choosing the right picture frame hanging hardware ensures your pieces remain secure and well-presented, even in busy environments with kids, pets, or frequent visitors. It’s a small investment that pays off in both peace of mind and polished aesthetics.

If you’re curious about modern picture-hanging hardware and techniques, we have an article about interesting specialty wall hooks you might want to look at:

Sometimes, a frame may simply be beyond repair and needs an upgrade. Over time, a vintage picture frame may lose its ability to protect the artwork inside, whether it's due to fading, chipping, or corners that no longer hold properly.

When considering reframing, it's best first to assess the condition of the artwork itself. We highly recommend consulting a professional framer if the piece is valuable, fragile, or irreplaceable. However, if the artwork is less valuable and you're willing to take on the task, you can reframe it yourself with careful preparation. Just be sure to approach the process cautiously, as improper framing can significantly impact the longevity of your print. Watch this video to see how to go about it properly: 

If you’re unsure about what to do with your frames after replacing them, check out our article on how to upcycle them:

If you have some bare prints and photos and are thinking about framing them, it’s best to use UV-blocking glass or acrylic glazing to protect your pieces from the inevitable damage that befalls exposed art prints. Ultraviolet light exposure can lead to gradual color fading and brittleness in the paper, so safeguarding your framed art print is a proactive step to ensure its longevity and vibrancy.

The type of glazing you select depends on your budget and the artwork's value. Conservation glass, often used in more professional exhibits, offers excellent protection but can be expensive and fragile, making it less ideal for high-traffic or active areas. Acrylic glazing is a durable, cost-effective alternative. Modern acrylic options often include non-glare and anti-reflective coatings to show the print properly.

Acid-free mats backing boards are another essential element when framing prints or photos. These boards prevent warping and protect your print from damage. Acid-free materials resist yellowing, fading, and other deterioration caused by acids found in regular cardboard or cheap backing materials.

There’s a lot more that goes into picking out the perfect picture frame. Here are a few tips that we think would help:

When issues arise that seem beyond repair—like hardware damage, insects infiltrating the frame, brown spots forming under the glass, or dirty, discolored varnish on a painting—it’s time to seek professional help. 

Framing experts can safely open the frame without risking warping or tearing, while hardware specialists can provide guidance on replacement, installation, or upgrading to sturdier options. Picture Hang Solutions has a wide range of innovative gallery-grade hanging solutions that will suit the serious art collector. 

What can we say? We’re as passionate about aftercare as we are about the art of installation. When you bring framed art into your space, you’re embracing not just its beauty but also the responsibility of its upkeep.

Did any of these tips surprise you? Share your thoughts in the comments below!