Photo Frames

Most photographs spend their lives on a phone. A photo frame is the decision to give one of them permanence: to choose it from the hundreds and put it somewhere it will actually be looked at. The right frame matters because a good one gives the image weight, makes it feel intentional and contributes to the shelf or wall in its own right.

The most common UK sizes are 6x4 and 7x5 inches for everyday prints, 8x6 and 10x8 for larger pictures, and 8x10 or 12x8 for statement pieces. Square frames suit the proportions of social prints particularly well, while panoramic, A4 and A3 sizes accommodate certificates, event posters and landscape photographs. Multi-aperture and collage frames hold three, five, seven or more pictures in a single mount, which suits telling a story across a year, a holiday or a wedding; double frames work well for baby and twin photographs, before-and-after pairings and his-and-hers prints.

Wooden frames in oak or walnut read as warm and traditional, with deeper box frames adding enough depth to make a single print feel like a more significant display. Metal frames in silver, brass or gold are cleaner and more modern, suiting gallery-wall arrangements where uniformity matters more than warmth. Mounted frames include a cardboard or fabric border (the mount, sometimes called a mat) around the photograph, separating the image from the frame edge and giving a more formal finish. Black and white remain the most adaptable finishes across both approaches. Vintage or antique-style frames in distressed wood or aged brass work well wherever the photograph itself has a nostalgic quality; at the frameless end, glass and acrylic clip-frames step back entirely and let the image lead.

Digital and electronic photo frames display rotating slideshows from a memory card or wirelessly via an app, with screens from 7 to 15 inches, and are particularly popular as family gifts for grandparents. Personalised and engraved frames with names or dates etched into wood or metal make popular gifts for weddings, christenings and graduations, and magnetic frames stick to fridges and metal surfaces for casual everyday displays.

Photo frames build a gallery wall alongside artwork and mirrors, or sit on a mantel or console with candles and sculptures for a more intimate arrangement. A row of identically framed photographs above a sideboard or hallway console gives a unified, considered look that a single piece rarely achieves.

Flitch brings together photo frames from more than 100 UK retailers in one place, so a single search lets you compare sizes, materials and finishes. For advice on building a coherent gallery wall, our expert stylists can step in.

What size photo frame do I need?

Match the frame to the print size. A 6x4 inch print needs a 6x4 frame, although mat-bordered frames extend the overall dimensions by a few centimetres on each side for a more considered look. Larger frames around a smaller print, using a wide mount, give a more gallery-style finish.

What is the difference between a mounted and frameless photo frame?

A mounted frame includes a cardboard or fabric mat around the photograph, separating the image from the frame edge and giving a more formal finish. Frameless designs use clip or magnetic fixings to hold the photo directly against glass or acrylic, with no surround.

How do I arrange a gallery wall of photo frames?

Plan the layout on the floor first, mixing sizes and orientations while keeping at least one consistent element such as frame colour or mat width. Leave 5 to 8cm between frames, hang the largest piece first, and build outward from a central anchor.

How do I protect valuable photographs from fading over time?

Use frames with UV-resistant glass to block sunlight, which causes prints to fade and yellow. For more valuable pieces, museum-grade or conservation glass blocks almost all UV light. Acid-free mats and backing boards can extend the life of photographs by decades.

Can photo frames be used in a bathroom?

Standard wooden and paper-backed frames can warp in humid bathrooms. Choose sealed-backed frames, acrylic instead of glass, or metal designs with corrosion-resistant finishes. Avoid hanging valuable prints in bathrooms, since steam slowly degrades the photograph itself.

How do I hang a heavy photo frame?

Use the right fixing for the wall type. Plasterboard needs proper anchors rated for the frame's weight, while solid walls take screws and rawl plugs. For frames over 5kg, two fixings spread across the back distribute the load.