When people come to our store looking to purchase a picture frame, we often get asked the same types of questions, and they will usually be focused on the frame itself.
“I have this photo that I would like to frame. What colour of frame would you recommend?”
“I am after a frame to house this print. What type of frame material would you suggest I go for?”
“I have just been given this beautiful piece of artwork as a gift for my birthday. I am looking to buy a frame to place it in as a way of protecting it for the long term and to display it in my home so that other people can also enjoy it when visiting my property. Do you think it would suit a modern or more traditional frame?”
But quite often, the thing that makes the biggest difference isn’t the frame at all.
It’s the mount.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with the term, a picture mount is the border that surrounds your picture in a frame. People who visit galleries or exhibitions are likely to notice them around photographs, artwork, or prints. They may well appear to be a minor detail, but their impact can be huge as they often completely change the way a piece looks once it is displayed.
One of the main benefits of a picture mount is that it can add some breathing space to a piece of art, drawing the viewer’s eye into it.
They also have the ability to make a photograph look and feel more substantial. You could have a rather small photo, for example, that can soon feel a lot more impressive and substantial once it has a well-proportioned mount around it. The overall framed piece becomes larger and more balanced, which tends to work better on a wall than a small frame on its own.
Another big advantage of having a picture mount is the protection it can provide.
They help to keep the artwork slightly away from the glass, which reduces the chance of condensation or the surface sticking to the glazing over time. If you have a photo, print, or artwork which is important to you, this small detail can help preserve it for many years.
Colour is another interesting aspect when it comes to picture mounts.
Most people naturally lean towards white or off-white mounts because they’re clean, simple, and they work with almost anything. And in fairness, those colours are popular for a reason. They tend to complement photographs and artwork without distracting them.
That said, mounts don’t always have to be plain.
Sometimes, a slightly warmer cream tone works better with older photographs or traditional artwork. In other cases, a subtly coloured mount can help pick up a tone from within the image itself. Used carefully, it can add a surprising amount of character without overwhelming the picture.
So, while the frame itself is clearly important, it’s worth remembering that the picture mount is doing a lot of the work as well. It’s not just a border. It is often the final piece of the jigsaw that helps a photograph, print, or artwork truly stand out.