DIY Floating Frame: Build Your Own
Building a Floating Frame Made Easy
Who hasn’t been there? You’ve created or purchased a beautiful piece of art, but the perfect frame to showcase it is missing. Frames for canvas artworks often require custom adjustments and can be quite expensive.Here, we’ll show you how to build a stylish and professional-looking floating frame yourself—affordably and with minimal hassle. Depending on the drying time of your materials, you should set aside 1–2 hours for the project. Costs vary by size but typically range between €10 and €30.
Ready to get started? Let's create a custom frame to make your artwork shine!
Register now for our next workshop
We will show you tips and tricks on varnishing, stretching canvas, aligning canvas, invoicing, pricing your works, and building your own shadow gap frames at low cost.
Next date: Thursday,
November 20, 2025, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Cost: 250 € (including VAT)
Where?
Little Van Gogh,
Berck-sur-Mer-Str. 20,
53604 Bad Honnef,
Germany
If you have any questions, please send an email to info@littlevangogh.de.
How to Build a Floating Frame in 5 Steps
- Create a professional-looking floating frame for your artwork with ease -
Step 1: Cutting the Angle Mouldings
In the first step, use a miter saw or hand saw to cut four pieces of angle mouldings according to your artwork’s dimensions. For example, if you’re building a frame for an 80 x 80 cm painting, cut the mouldings to 81.5 cm x 81.5 cm, adding 1.5 cm to both the height and width. Save the small triangular offcuts from your mouldings—you’ll need them in the next step.
Step 2: Gluing the Mouldings Together
Once your mouldings are cut, arrange them into a rectangle on a flat surface. Make sure the surface is even and place a protective sheet underneath. Apply wood glue to the corners and press the mouldings together to form the frame. For additional stability, glue the small triangular offcuts into the corners. Wrap a strap clamp around the frame and tighten it gently—not too tight, or the frame may warp. Allow the glue to dry according to the drying time listed on the packaging (we recommend fast-drying wood glue to save time).
Step 3: Testing the Frame Fit
Before the glue has fully hardened, carefully place your artwork inside the frame to ensure it fits properly. If the frame isn’t quite aligned, you can still make adjustments. For larger frames, use a stapler to secure the corners for extra stability. This step is usually unnecessary for smaller frames.
Step 4: Painting the Frame
Now it’s time to give your frame a finishing touch. Use a lacquer brush to apply acrylic paint generously to the frame. Choose a color that complements your artwork or interior design—popular base colors include black, white, silver, or gold, though any color can be used. Paint one side of the frame and allow it to dry before flipping it over and painting the other side. For added flair, consider creating a contrasting border around the edge of the frame. To do this, apply masking tape to the edges, paint the border with an acrylic brush, and carefully remove the tape once the paint has dried. For a classic and elegant look, we recommend a black base with a silver or gold border. This combination beautifully highlights your artwork.
Step 5: Securing the Artwork in the Frame
Once the frame is completely dry, place your artwork inside and use a flathead screwdriver to align the space between the artwork and the frame (the "floating gap"). Flip the frame over, and secure the artwork by screwing one screw into each corner using a cordless screwdriver. And that’s it—your custom-built floating frame is complete! We hope you’re happy with the result. Enjoy showcasing your artwork in its new frame!