8 Best Picture Frames With Wide Matting for Art

Choosing the right frame with wide matting can instantly transform a simple print into a sophisticated gallery-worthy display. The extra negative space draws the eye directly to your artwork, creating a sense of importance and calm on any wall. This guide helps you navigate the best options to elevate your home decor while keeping your budget and lifestyle in mind.

Artifact Uprising Gallery Frame: Best for Minimalists

If you find yourself constantly rearranging your gallery wall or swapping out family photos, this frame is a reliable workhorse. Its clean lines and deep shadowbox depth provide a professional look that hides the fact that you might be using a simple print from your home printer.

The wide matting is crisp and archival, which is a significant plus if you are displaying sentimental items that you want to keep for years. Because the design is so understated, it works just as well in a cluttered apartment as it does in a stark, modern living room.

Keep in mind that the premium build quality comes with a higher price point than mass-market alternatives. However, the ease of assembly makes it worth the investment for high-traffic areas where you want a polished finish without the hassle of custom framing.

Pottery Barn Mercer Frame: Best for Classic Decor

When you have a traditional home or a space filled with heirloom furniture, you need a frame that feels substantial rather than flimsy. The Mercer frame features a weighted profile that grounds your artwork, making it feel like a permanent fixture in the room.

The wide matting on these frames is perfectly balanced to provide a traditional "museum" look. It’s an excellent choice for living rooms or hallways where you want to create a cohesive, timeless aesthetic that won’t feel dated in a few years.

While these frames are heavier than most, they are built to last through multiple moves. Just be sure to use appropriate wall anchors, as the weight requires a bit more care during installation compared to lighter, plastic-based frames.

West Elm Gallery Frame: Best for Modern Interiors

If your home leans toward mid-century modern or industrial styles, you likely value frames that don’t distract from the art itself. These frames offer a slim metal or wood profile paired with an oversized mat, which creates a striking contrast that feels very intentional.

These are particularly great for renters because they look high-end without requiring a permanent installation. They provide a sense of architectural structure that can help define a blank wall in a small studio or a rental apartment.

The trade-off here is the glass, which can be prone to glare in rooms with a lot of natural light. If your room is very bright, you might consider swapping the standard glass for an anti-reflective version down the road.

Blick Gallery Wood Frame: Best for Fine Art Prints

For those who treat their home like a personal gallery, Blick offers a professional-grade wood frame that feels like it belongs in a studio. The wood grain is natural and warm, providing a soft backdrop that complements photography and sketches beautifully.

Because these frames are often sold for artists, the matting is usually acid-free, which is crucial for protecting your prints from yellowing over time. It is a practical choice for anyone who collects limited edition prints or original works on paper.

Be aware that these frames often require a bit more manual effort to assemble compared to "click-in" style frames. If you enjoy the process of mounting your own art, this is a rewarding option that offers professional quality for a fraction of the cost of a custom shop.

Framebridge Mercer Frame: Best for Custom Quality

Sometimes you have a piece of art that is an odd size or a sentimental treasure that deserves a perfect fit. Framebridge bridges the gap between DIY and professional custom framing by providing a mail-in service that handles the mounting and matting for you.

The wide matting options are extensive, allowing you to choose the exact ratio that makes your piece pop. It’s the best solution for busy households where you don’t have the time or the steady hand to mount art perfectly yourself.

While this is the most expensive route, it eliminates the risk of damaging your artwork during the framing process. It is a "set it and forget it" solution that ensures your art looks exactly as you envisioned it.

MCS Format Frame: Best Budget-Friendly Option

Not every piece of art needs an expensive frame to look great, especially if you are decorating a child’s room or a temporary workspace. The MCS format frame is a staple for a reason—it is affordable, lightweight, and incredibly easy to find.

The wide matting included with these frames is decent enough for everyday prints or posters. While the materials are mostly plastic and synthetic, the overall visual impact is surprisingly effective when you hang several of them together in a grid.

These are perfect for families who want to display school art or changing photography without worrying about the cost. If you are on a tight budget, these frames allow you to cover a large wall space without breaking the bank.

Nielsen Bainbridge Frame: Best for Large Posters

If you have a large-scale poster or a panoramic print, finding a frame that doesn’t bow in the middle is a challenge. Nielsen Bainbridge is the gold standard for metal frames that provide structural integrity for oversized artwork.

The wide matting options for these frames help scale down large prints, making them feel more like curated art pieces and less like college dorm decor. They are incredibly durable and resist the warping that often happens with cheaper wooden frames over time.

They are a bit more industrial in appearance, so they work best in home offices or contemporary living spaces. Given their longevity, they are a smart long-term purchase for anyone who keeps the same wall art for years at a time.

Lawrence Frames Wide Border: Best for Tabletop Use

Not all art needs to go on the wall; sometimes a small, wide-matted frame is the perfect addition to a bookshelf or a nightstand. Lawrence Frames specializes in smaller, sturdy frames that stand up well on their own without tipping over.

These frames are excellent for small spaces where you don’t have the wall room to hang large pieces. They add a layer of texture to your decor and are easy to move around whenever you decide to refresh your shelf styling.

Because they are smaller, the wide matting really shines, drawing attention to a singular, focused image. They make for great gifts, and their build quality is robust enough to handle being moved and dusted regularly.

How to Select the Ideal Matting for Your Artwork

Choosing the right mat is about balancing the size of your art with the size of your wall. A general rule of thumb is that the mat should be at least two to three inches wide to provide enough "breathing room" for the eye.

Consider the color of the mat carefully, as it can drastically change the mood of the piece. A bright white mat will make colors look more vibrant, while an off-white or cream mat often feels more sophisticated and vintage.

• For dark art: Use a lighter mat to prevent the piece from feeling heavy.
• For colorful art: Stick to neutral white or light gray to avoid clashing.
• For small art: Use a wider mat to give the piece more presence on the wall.

Tips for Proper Framing and Preserving Your Prints

Always ensure that the materials touching your artwork are acid-free and archival. Over time, cheap cardboard or acidic paper will leave a permanent "burn" mark on your prints, which is impossible to reverse.

When mounting your art, use archival-safe mounting tape or photo corners rather than glue or permanent adhesive. This ensures that the art remains in its original condition, which is vital if the piece has any future value or significant personal history.

Finally, keep your framed art out of direct, harsh sunlight to prevent fading. If you must hang art in a bright room, consider using UV-protected glass to block the harmful rays that cause colors to lose their intensity over time.

Investing in the right frame with wide matting is one of the most effective ways to make your home feel finished and intentional. Whether you choose a budget-friendly plastic frame or a custom-built wood piece, the goal is to protect your art while letting it stand out. Start with one room, pick a consistent style, and enjoy the transformation that proper framing brings to your living space.