Simple DIY Wood Frame for Canvas Art

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Here’s how to make a pretty and simple DIY Wood Frame for Canvas Art.

Hi guys. Today, I’ve got a quick and easy project for you all. This is how I build a pretty and simple DIY Wood Frame for Canvas Art out of 1×2’s. The clean lines make this design work in most homes, from Modern to more Traditional styles. Yay!

You can find the DIY video and steps for how I made the colorful acrylic paint pour wall art in the canvases. I’m a huge fan of these paint pours. It’s one of my new favorite DIY projects. You can also see the pretty one I made for my Master Bathroom Remodel here.

If you are looking for a chunkier DIY wood frame, check out this Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame. OK, let’s get to this DIY Wooden Frame for Canvas build.

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Watch the DIY Wood Frame for Canvas Build Video

Seeing someone do something always helps me understand the steps better. Watch this video to get a better look at each build step.

What Wood Is Used for Framing Canvas Art?

I’m sure most woods can be used for framing canvas art, as long as you follow general woodworking guidelines. Example, pick straight, knot-free boards for the best result.

For this Simple DIY Wood Frame for Canvas Art, I like to use the Dimensional Lumber Select Pine, Cedar, or Poplar available at most hardware stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot.

Just be sure to finish the frame with at least a Top Coat to seal the wood. That will protect the wood from the art medium on the canvas and protect the canvas from the wood.

Materials Used

• Sander & Sandpaper – I used 80 and 150-grit on Select Pine
  • Other types of wood may require other grits for the best result
• 1×2 Dimensional Lumber, I used Select Pine from Lowe’s or Home Depot
• Wood Glue
• Miter Saw
• Angle Strap Clamp (I use this one)
• Wood Filler
• Finish – I used Watco Danish Oil in Medium Walnut
• Sawtooth Hanger

How Do You Make A Frame for a Canvas

Luckily, it’s pretty easy, especially if you’re already comfortable with power tools or know someone who is. This DIY Wood Frame for Canvas art is actually a pretty quick and low cost DIY.

Step One

Cut the inside of your frame to be 1/8″ to 3/16″ larger than the canvas size. Use 45-degree cuts on the corners. I like to use the 1st cut piece for one side to mark the cuts for the opposite side. Getting clean 45-degree corners is really easy if the opposite sides are exactly the same size.

Step Two

Optional: Attach moulding to the 4 corners with brad nails and wood glue to act as a stop for the back of the canvas. I used 3/4″ pieces to stop my 3/4″ depth canvas flush with the wood. You can also use 1″ or 1/2″ or 1/4″ pieces to change the look or to work with a canvas with more depth.

Step Three

Layout the 4 sides of your DIY Wood Frame for Canvas on a flat surface. Use Wood Glue and clamps to hold the corners tight and straight while the glue dries. I love using my Bessey Strap Angle Clamp for frames. It makes building wood frames so much easier. You can see it in the video above. 🙂

Step Four

Let the glue dry for a few hours before removing the clamps. The joints should be pretty tight, but a little bit of wood filler along the front and sides will make them look even neater.

Finishing your Wooden Frame for Canvases

Step One

Once the wood filler dries, sand the extra wood filler off and smooth the whole frame with 80-grit sandpaper. Then switch to 150-grit to get Select Pine ready for finish. For different types of wood or finishes, you may need to use different grits to get the best finish.

Step Two

Dust off the DIY Wood Frame for Canvas or Wood Wall Art with a clean rag. Then apply your finish. I used Dutch Oil in Medium Walnut. It’s one of my go to finishes, lately. It wipes on easily and dries pretty fast. Plus, it hardens the wood a bit and doesn’t require a top coat. So, so easy.

Step Three

After the finish dries, you can nail a small sawtooth hanger to the back of the frame. Then flip the frame over and gently push the canvas into place. Building the frame just an 1/8″ or 3/16″ larger than the canvas should give you a tight enough fit to hold the canvas in without extra help. If not, painters tape, sticky putty, or a few drops of hot glue on the back can hold the canvas where you want it.

And now you’re ready to hang your beautiful new wall art. Be sure to check out my DIY steps for the paint pour wall art in my frames.

Want to see how I made that Paint Pour Wall Art? Watch this popular how-to video to see how easy and fun paint pouring is. 🙂

That’s it for this DIY Wood Frame for Canvas or Wood Wall Art tutorial. Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to follow along on Instagram to see sneak peeks of the projects coming soon.

DIY Wood Frame for Canvas

Print

How to make a pretty and simple DIY Wood Frame for Canvas or Wood Wall Art.

Tools

• Bessey Strap Clamp
• Brad Nailer
• Wood Glue
• Miter Saw

Instructions

Building the 1×2 DIY Wood Frame

Step One

1. Cut the inside of your frame to be 1/8″ to 3/16″ larger than the canvas size. Use 45-degree cuts on the corners. I like to use the 1st cut piece for one side to mark the cuts for the opposite side. Getting clean 45-degree corners is really easy if the opposite sides are exactly the same size.

Step Two

1. Optional: Attach moulding to the 4 corners with brad nails and wood glue to act as a stop for the back of the canvas. I used 3/4″ pieces to stop my 3/4″ depth canvas flush with the wood. You can also use 1″ or 1/2″ or 1/4″ pieces to change the look or to work with a canvas with more depth.

Step Three

1. Layout the 4 sides of your DIY Wood Frame for Canvas on a flat surface. Use Wood Glue and clamps to hold the corners tight and straight while the glue dries. I love using my Bessey Strap Angle Clamp for frames. It makes building wood frames so much easier. You can see it in the video above.

Step Four

1. Let the glue dry for a few hours before removing the clamps. The joints should be pretty tight, but a little bit of wood filler along the front and sides will make them look even neater.

Finishing your Wooden Frame for Canvases

Step One

Once the wood filler dries, sand the extra wood filler off and smooth the whole frame with 80-grit sandpaper. Then switch to 150-grit to get Select Pine ready for finish. For different types of wood or finishes, you may need to use different grits to get the best finish.

Step Two

Dust off the DIY Wood Frame for Canvas or Wood Wall Art with a clean rag. Then apply your finish. I used Dutch Oil in Medium Walnut. It’s one of my go to finishes, lately. It wipes on easily and dries pretty fast. Plus, it hardens the wood a bit and doesn’t require a top coat. So, so easy.

Step Three

After the finish dries, you can nail a small sawtooth hanger to the back of the frame. Then flip the frame over and gently push the canvas into place. Building the frame just an 1/8″ or 3/16″ larger than the canvas should give you a tight enough fit to hold the canvas in without extra help. If not, painters tape, sticky putty, or a few drops of hot glue on the back can hold the canvas where you want it.

Notes

This is how I build a pretty and simple DIY Wood Frame for Canvas or Wood Wall Art out of 1×2’s. The clean lines make this design work in most homes, from Modern to more Traditional styles. Yay!

Want to see more DIY wall art ideas? Check out how I make scrap wood wall art here.

Or, this pretty DIY Chevron Wood Art.

How about this DIY Barn Star Wall Art I made for just $20. Pottery Barn sells this for $400!

For a bigger build, this DIY Table Over Washer and Dryer – Laundry Table build is always popular and I have printable build plans with the steps. 🙂

Feeling inspired? Now that you’ve seen how I did this DIY Wood Frame for Canvas you can too. Let me know if you have questions. Don’t forget to sign up for the Abbotts At Home email newsletter to get DIY, Remodeling, and Crafty ideas in your inbox.