Can you imagine hanging all your pictures without framing them?

Frameless pictures are certainly becoming common like framed pictures, but for centuries, picture frames have been a core part of the picture hanging experience. 

But sometimes, it can be just as good an option to go without frames altogether—it may even look better that way.

The pros and cons of using a frame for pictures are similarly related, and we’ve rounded them all up in this article for you to learn all about the unexpected disadvantages and equally compelling benefits.

Picture frames embody form and function and are one of the most traditional ways to display artwork. While they’re not always necessary, they often make the picture hanging experience feel complete. Let’s look at the pros of using a picture frame for your wall-mounted and tabletop items.

Choosing a frame to go with your picture adds another level of customization to picture hanging beyond choosing a piece to frame. You carefully select the size, finish, design, color, and shape, and the result of this process can be very telling of your personal taste and style. 

Personalized picture frames allow you to express your personality through your decor and execute bigger ideas, such as a themed gallery wall and antique aesthetics that uses vintage picture frames. In short, the frames of your choice make the pictures on your wall truly your own.

Frames offer many functions, one of which is the creative purpose of drawing attention to the subject of a piece. This is something that many professionals might greatly appreciate, and they may pick a frame that is inconspicuous and doesn’t distract observers from the piece.

Similarly, picture frames can highlight your photographs and artwork with ease. The right frame presents a picture as the centerpiece without taking away from it and can help it feel more compact.

Picture a framed painting and an unframed painting side by side. Which one is more likely to stand out to you visually?

Framing a painting, photograph, or other decor can instantly increase its aesthetic appeal. When mounted among home decor, a framed picture can enhance your space and contribute to a pleasant atmosphere. Frames can even help guests appreciate your curated wall art better.

Aside from decorative purposes, picture frames have also become an important part of picture hanging because of their protective function. Without proper protection, valuable art pieces and pictures will degrade quickly.

Frames help protect your pictures from the elements, especially the harsh UV rays of the sun, as well as damage due to accidental or unwanted physical contact with people. A high-quality, acid-free frame with good matting will help you keep pictures damage-free and untouched by their surrounding environment.

Because frames are such a big help in protecting pictures, they also play a significant role in preserving them. The better the quality of the picture frames, the longer your pictures will last.

Over time, we often accumulate photos and mementos, and we end up forgetting about them. But framing pictures involves proactively prepping and displaying them, including personal photographs and artwork created by family and friends. When you decide to frame them up, you bring them out into the world instead of dooming them to the dark and dust.

As picture frames protect and preserve your precious pictures, they also maintain and even help to increase their value.

A professionally framed picture, especially an art piece that has maintained its value over time, can add value to your home in a more economical way compared to other similar investments, such as artifacts. And in the event that you sell your home, including the wall decor inside it, your framed pictures can strengthen that value. 

Getting a picture and framing it doesn’t just end at that—often, you need to hang it on the wall. Frames are a staple in the picture hanging world, so many a good quality picture hanging tool has been created and developed over the years to smoothen the process.

Whether you use wooden picture frames, metal picture frames, or acrylic picture frames, there’s no shortage of options to support and help preserve your pictures, which helps to make any framing project convenient.

Sometimes, you’ll have a picture that looks great, but most of the appeal is personal. In cases like this, it may not look good enough as a visual element in your space, or it just might not match the rest of your decor.

A good picture frame can be the solution to this problem. It has the ability to enhance a picture’s appeal, counter any dullness, and elevate the picture.

Every pro has its con, and it’s no different with picture frames. But maybe not every pro, as you’ll soon see.

There’s no denying it—a picture frame needs to be budgeted for, especially if you want to avoid low-quality products. There’s no need to shell out thousands of dollars, but given the advantages of a well-made frame, you’ll need to note the potential cost while considering your needs. A custom-made frame will tend to be pricier, and the price range increases the bigger the frame is.

If you shop at the local store for frames, you will likely be limited to only a few types, such as plastic resin. 

We don’t recommend this if you want to display valuable pieces or if you’re looking to establish a gallery wall for the long term. Some cheap picture frames will expose your pictures to high acidity and cause damage instead of providing protection.

If you want to learn more about picture frame types, our article is a good place to start:

Large pictures are bulky and burdensome to hang, and their equally large picture frames can add to that burden. This is a big con if you live alone, for instance, where you might require assistance setting up a heavier painting or artwork.

That’s not to mention that large picture frames require more hangers to support their bulkiness. To learn more about hanging picture frames that are on the bulky side, try checking out this article: 

Although this isn’t the biggest con because a frame will mostly be up on the wall or on the tabletop, when you don’t need it or are having an interior makeover, picture frames might be a bit of a hassle to store.

First, you’ll need to keep them in a cool, dry, and dark place, whether they’re in a box or not. The usual storage areas, such as the basement, garage, or attic, are also not recommended for storing frames as these areas are prone to humidity and heat.

Sometimes, the biggest disadvantage of a frame is it just might not do much for a piece. There may be a frame out there for every picture, but occasionally, a picture would look much more appealing when displayed sans a frame. The frameless style is becoming increasingly common, so depending on your aesthetic, a frame would stand out instead of blending in. 

When picture hanging, most of us think of picture frames as a given. They add a nice touch to your decor, make your pictures appear more vivid, and protect valuable pieces.

But they also come with disadvantages, such as their tendency to be bulky, the added expense they pose, and how some picture frames can damage pictures more than safeguard them.

Now that you know what every pro and con entails, you’re a step closer to a more informed decision and will be confident in your frame of choice.

Happy hanging!