How To Select An Oval Frame

Are you looking for an oval picture frame and aren’t sure where to start? There are really three things that you want to consider when selecting an oval picture frame: the use of the frame, the type of frame and the style of frame you want.

                        How will your oval frame be used?

You first have to ask yourself what kind of picture do you want to frame? Do you have a photo of one or two people or is it a large group photo? If you have a picture with a portrait of one or two people then an oval frame may be a good fit.

Oval frames are best used for formal portraits of a single person or a tight headshot. This way the person can be properly centered in the oval frame. If you have a picture with two people in it, you want to make sure that the two individuals are close together and that they’re heads are in close proximity to each other otherwise it won’t look right. If you’re not sure about the oval shape, buy an inexpensive oval mat and place the mat over your frame and see if it looks good. This way you’ll avoid having to buy a frame if you’re not sure about the shape.

You also want to ask yourself where you want to put it. Do you want to place it on a table or dresser or do you want to hang it on the wall? This can make a big difference in the type of frame you buy because some oval frames can be hung on a wall and others are designed specifically for displaying on a table top.

                        What type of oval frame do you want?

The material of your frame is an important choice because it can change the tone of your picture. Oval frames are available in solid wood, composite wood and metal. Solid wood frames are easy to spot because they’re generally simple in style with limited frame ornamentation.

Composite wood frames on the other hand are often frames with decorative ornamentation. These are often made out of composite (or pressed wood) because the decorative wood beading and decorative features are easier and less expensive to make in a mold rather than hand-carving. The decorative features will also last longer with composite wood because there’s decreased risk of them breaking off like glued-on solid wood decorations.

Metal oval frames are more uncommon but can be found in smaller sizes designed for table top displays. These small metal oval frames are frequently decorated with beads or sequins to add a stylish and colorful look.

You’ll also want to decide if you want your picture to “blend in,” be an accent frame or the centerpiece of your picture wall. Often oval frames get noticed first because of their unique shape so if you don’t want your picture to stand out you may want to consider a different shape. However, oval frames are an important component of a nice looking picture wall because they add diversity.

                        What type of style do you want for your oval picture frame?

Are you looking for a classic oval frame with smooth lines or a traditional frame with decorative features that give it an antique old fashioned look? Or do you want the smooth flat lines of a modern oval frame? Despite the large selection of oval frames available, the style of your picture will often determine the best oval frame. If possible, it’s always easiest to use your picture when selecting an oval frame but if you can’t do that here are a few “rules of thumb.”

·        For pictures of men or young boys, you generally want to go with a classic oval frame with little or no decorations on it. For young boys, an oval frame with a top and bottom decoration will look nice as long as it’s simple and not feminine.

·        For pictures of women or young girls, you generally want to go with a traditional decorative frame. There are a lot of decorative frames with varying degrees of ornate decorations so you’ll want to pick one that suits your personal style. And a word of caution, the more ornate decorations you have on your frame, the more it will detract from your picture. You want the decorations to add feminine style not overpower the picture.

·        And for pictures requiring a modern style oval picture frame, often these are pieces of artwork like modern drawings or acrylics with bold colors. The frame style is generally flat or very rounded in metallic or black colors.

In terms of selecting a frame color, the best rule is to select a color that goes with your décor and that compliments the tones in your picture. For black and white pictures, I’d generally recommend a silver frame and for sepia tone or color pictures I’d suggest selecting an antiqued gold oval frame. And when in doubt, wood tones like walnut or rosewood will almost always go with most types of pictures and home décor.

And when in doubt, you can always email your scanned picture or digital image to us and we’d be happy to suggest an oval frame that’s perfect for your picture. If you’re ready for the next step and want to learn how to properly cut your picture and place it in your new oval picture frame check out How to Frame Your Oval Frame.