Choosing Frames for Canvas Art: Sizes, Mats and Finishes

Quick answer

For most stretched canvases, choose a float frame or a canvas floater that leaves the edges visible, and size it to the canvas's outside dimensions. Use a matted frame only when you are framing a flat print or a canvas panel that sits behind glass. Measure the full outside edge of the canvas, not the image area, before you buy.

Measure the canvas, not the picture

A stretched canvas is usually deeper than a photo print, so the frame has to clear the stretcher bars. Measure the full outside edge of the canvas, including the wrapped sides, and note the depth from the front surface to the back edge. If you only measure the painted area, the frame will be too small.

For a flat canvas panel or a paper print, measure the sheet itself. If you plan to add a mat, add the mat border to the artwork size before choosing the frame. A frame that fits the art without a mat will not fit once a mat is added.

• Measure width and height at the widest point of the canvas.
• Note the depth so the frame rabbet can clear the stretcher.
• Add the mat border width to the artwork size when using a mat.

Matted frame vs float frame: pick by canvas type

A matted frame holds the artwork behind glass with a visible border around it. This works well for flat prints, canvas panels and pieces where you want a classic gallery look. A float frame, by contrast, holds a stretched canvas so the edges stay visible and the canvas appears to float inside the frame.

If your canvas has painted edges or a wrapped image, a float frame shows that detail. If the edges are raw or you want a border of colour, a matted frame hides the edges and adds a clean margin. The trade-off is that matted frames add glass and a mat, which increases cost and can create glare, while float frames keep the canvas surface exposed.

Choose a finish that supports the art

Frame finishes change how the art reads in a room. A black or dark wood frame recedes and lets bright colours carry the piece. A light wood or white frame keeps the wall feeling open and suits pale or minimalist art. Metallic finishes add a reflective accent and work well with bold graphics.

Match the finish to the room's existing hardware and lighting rather than to a trend. If the frame will hang in a hallway with warm bulbs, a warm wood or brass tone blends in. In a bright room with cool daylight, black or white tends to stay neutral.

Check the load and hanging plan

Larger canvases and framed pieces need hardware rated for the weight. Check the frame's included hanging hardware and the wall type before you commit. For heavy pieces, use two hooks spaced apart so the frame cannot swing.

If the frame is going above a desk or a craft cart, leave enough clearance for the cart to roll in and out. A rolling cart with drawers can double as a supply station under wall art, but only if the frame sits high enough.

Decision rules for canvas framing

• If the canvas is stretched and has painted edges: Choose a float frame so the edges stay visible and the canvas sits inside the frame without glass. Skip mats and glass; measure the outside edge and depth.
• If the artwork is a flat print or canvas panel: Choose a matted frame with glass and add a mat border if you want a gallery look. Add the mat width to the artwork size before buying the frame.
• If the piece is large and square: Measure the wall space and the frame's outside dimensions, then use two hanging points for stability. A 30" x 30" piece needs a frame built for that size, not a smaller print frame.
• If you are unsure about depth: Bring the canvas or its exact measurements to the store and test the frame rabbet against the stretcher depth. Depth mismatches are the most common reason a canvas will not sit flat.

Product facts

• Jonathan Adler x Michaels 4" x 6" Black Geometric Stripes Matted Wood Tabletop Frame: Jonathan Adler x Michaels 4" x 6" Black Geometric Stripes Matted Wood Tabletop Frame with a black geometric mat and a Grecian horse image. A matted tabletop frame is a good fit for small prints or canvas panels, and the mat is already included so you do not have to buy one separately.
• Jonathan Adler x Michaels 30" x 30" Love Wall Art: Jonathan Adler x Michaels 30" x 30" Love Wall Art with graphic lettering in layered rainbow colours. A large square piece like this shows why you should measure the wall and the frame together; a 30" x 30" artwork needs a frame sized to those outside dimensions.
• 5 Drawer Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy®: 5 Drawer Rolling Cart by Simply Tidy with a maximum 4.4 lb. (2 kg) load per drawer and multiple colour options. Useful for storing framing tools and mats near your workspace, but the 4.4 lb. limit means heavy frames or glass should not be stored in the drawers.

Who this guide is for

Best for

• Shoppers framing a stretched canvas or canvas panel for the first time
• Crafters who want to compare matted frames and float frames before buying
• Anyone choosing a frame finish to match a room's lighting and hardware

Not for

• Buyers looking for custom-cut museum framing with conservation glass
• Shoppers who need a frame for an irregular or non-rectangular object