QUICK & EASY steps to build a DIY canvas frame, using 1×2’s. This beautiful wood frame is my favorite way to frame canvases. Finish in 1-day!
How To Build A DIY Canvas Frame
Hi guys. Today, I’ve got a quick and easy project for you all. This is how I build a pretty and simple Wood Frame for Canvas Art out of 1×2 dimensional lumber.
The clean lines of this wood canvas frame means this frame looks beautiful in any home. And, it’s such an easy frame to build, that you can easily have it done in a day. Yay!

Some links on this post are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
I used Select Pine for this frame, but you can use the Oak, Poplar, Cedar or even Common Pine 1×2’s from your local Lowe’s or Home Depot.
Changing up the type of lumber and stain color you use can give you a unique, custom look for your canvas art.
If you are looking for a chunkier wood frame for canvas art, check out this Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame. Or, for a more detailed canvas frame, check out this DIY Wood Picture Frame With Trim Molding.
OK, let’s get to this DIY Wooden Frame for Canvas Art build.

Table of contents
What Wood Is Used for Framing Canvas Art?
What is the best wood for canvas frame building?? Most dimensional lumber can be used for framing canvas art, as long as you follow general woodworking guidelines for picking boards.
So, pick straight, knot-free boards when you’re making a wood frame for canvas art.
For this DIY wood frame for canvases, I like to use the Select Pine, Cedar, or Poplar Dimensional Lumber available at most big box hardware stores, like Lowe’s and Home Depot.
The Oak 1×2’s would look beautiful as a frame too.
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 it will protect the canvas from the wood oils.

How To Make A Wooden Frame For Canvas Art
Luckily, it’s pretty easy to make a DIY frame for canvases, especially if you’re already comfortable with power tools or know someone who is.
And, this DIY Wood Frame for Canvas art is actually a pretty quick and low cost build. Here’s what you’ll need, followed by the steps.
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
Step One – Measure And Cut Lumber
Using a Miter Saw, 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 – Attach Back Stops
Next, attach scrap wood or trim molding to the 4 corners (on just the top and bottom boards) with brad nails and wood glue to act as a stop for the back of the canvas.
I used scrap 3/4″x 1/2″ molding pieces to stop my 3/4″ depth canvas flush with the wood. You can also use 1″ or 1/2″ or 1/4″ trim pieces to change the look or to work with a canvas with more depth.

Step Three – Glue And Nail Frame
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. 🙂

If you don’t have corner clamps of some sort, use brad nails with the glue to assemble the DIY wooden canvas frame. If possible, use nails only on the top and bottom sides of the frame, so they’ll be less visible.
Step Four – Sand And Apply Finish
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 corners of the canvas frame will make them look even neater.
If you used a brad nailer on the exterior of the frame, use wood filler on those holes too.

Let the wood filler dry, then sand the frame to prep for stain. I used Danish Oil, so I only needed to prep with 1 sanding of 150-grit sandpaper.
Other types of stain may require higher levels of sanding. Be sure to follow the directions on the stain to get the best results.
That’s it for the build steps. Keep scrolling to see the full steps for how I finished my canvas frames.
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.
Finishing My DIY Frame For Canvas Art
Step One – Prep For Finish
Once the wood filler dries, sand the extra wood filler off and smooth the whole frame with 100-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 – Apply Danish Oil
Next, dust off the DIY Wood Frame for Canvas with a clean rag. Then apply your finish. I used Danish 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, it’s super easy.
Step Three – Attach A Sawtooth Hanger
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. Check out this post about my Easy DIY Coffered Ceiling to see more of my Dining Room.

That’s it for this DIY Wood Frame for Canvas tutorial. Here’s a few more tutorials you might like. Thanks for stopping by!
You might also like these 2 DIY frame options. First, How to Make a Wood Picture Frame has great curves and detail, but it’s an easy build.

And, second, this easy DIY chunky wooden frame for Wall Art.

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. 🙂
I love this easy DIY Wood Drawer Front. The beautiful routed edge gives it so much style.
DIY Wood Frame for Canvas

Tools
- Bessey Strap Clamp
- Brad Nailer
- Wood Glue
- Miter Saw
Instructions
Building the 1×2 DIY Wood Frame
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.
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!
Feeling inspired? Now that you’ve seen how to build a frame for a 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.
Rebecca
Monday 22nd of July 2019
Great frame tutorial Stephanie! I can't wait to see how you made the paint pour artwork. Thank you for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!
Stephanie
Thursday 8th of August 2019
Thanks so much, Rebecca. It's such an easy project. It's just about the only way I can make art. :)
Michelle | Thistle Key Lane
Sunday 21st of July 2019
Hi Stephanie, thanks for sharing this beautiful framing project with us. I can't wait to feature it this week on Tuesday Turn About!
Stephanie
Thursday 8th of August 2019
Thanks so much, Michelle. That's so exciting. :)
Carol
Thursday 18th of July 2019
Perfect! I have done several acrylic paint pour canvases and want to be able to frame them reasonably. I like them fine un-framed but framing just finishes them off so beautifully. Featuring when my party opens up tonight!
Stephanie
Thursday 18th of July 2019
Yay! Thanks so much, Carol. :)
Candace
Thursday 18th of July 2019
I can't tell you how perfect the timing of this post is for me! I was just wondering about how to make something like this the other day. Thanks for such a great post, Stephanie!
Stephanie
Thursday 18th of July 2019
Yay! So glad I could help Candace. Good luck with your build!
Michelle
Tuesday 16th of July 2019
A handy frame tutorial for visual artists! And I love paint pour art! Beautiful!
Stephanie
Tuesday 16th of July 2019
Thanks, Michelle!