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Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for Wall Art

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Build this beautiful DIY Chunky Wooden Frame to fit any canvas, sign, or picture in your home!

Custom frames can be really expensive…UNLESS you build your own. Today, I went with this easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for my Faux Metal Patina canvases. I love designing the perfect frame for my projects.

You can make really detailed designs using moldings. Or simple, beautiful designs with clean cut boards. Try mixing stained, painted, or raw woods. Pick thin or thick frames to fit the style. You can really use your imagination here.

The clean lines and light color frame the dark colored canvases well. I didn’t want anything to clash too much with the faux metal. BUT, I was loving the natural cedar in the beginning.

It was just a bit too much texture and detail with the canvases I wanted to frame though. I’ll have to remember to use cedar to frame something soon.

Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
Look at that beautiful Cedar!

You can see a few more DIY frame ideas in my Simple DIY Wood Frame for Canvas Art, DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art and my Farmhouse Style Star Wars Subway Art projects. You can even get an idea of how molding can be added by checking out the top of my DIY Twin Upholstered Headboard Build.

Those are just the tip of the ‘DIY frame’ iceberg though. So, let your imagination run wild. And don’t forget to tag me on IG or share your design with my ‘Learn to DIY & Craft’ Facebook Group. I’d love to see what you come up with!

Now, let’s get to the DIY Chunky Wooden Frame. You’ll love how easy it is! And be sure to see more DIY Frame Ideas from some of my very creative blogger friends. I have links to their projects at the end of this post. 🙂

Build this easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, poster, or anything. This idea will save you money and give you a unique, custom look and size for your wall art. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe #WoodFrame #Frame #WallArt
Don’t forget to Pin Me!

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Materials Needed

The length you’ll need will depend on what you’re framing. I used 1×3 lumber for the inside square, 1×2 lumber for the outside square and a thin plywood (about 1/8″ thick) across the back.

You’ll also need wood glue, wood filler, and whichever paint and/or stains you’d like.

Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame – Build Steps

Before assembling this DIY Chunky Wooden Frame, cut your lumber for the inside 1×3 square and sand with 150-grit, or similar paper. Do not cut your 1×2 lumber until the inside square is assembled. You’ll want to use that finished square to get the exact measurements for the outside 1×2 framing.

Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
I used 1×3 Cedar for the inside square of this DIY Chunky Wooden Frame. Cedar has great grain and knots to add character. If I had known I’d end up painting it, I would have used Select Pine or Poplar. They tend to be smooth, square, and knot free.
Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
I glued and stapled the inner square together with my Staple Gun. You can use a Kreg Jig (like my R3) to make pocket holes or mending plates for this step too. I had 2 little guys wanting to play inside, so I grabbed my stapler to finish this step inside. 🙂 It was easy enough to hold these pieces tightly together with my hand while stapling.
Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
I glued a thin sheet of plywood (leftover from my DIY Tray Ceiling Panel Update) to the back of the frame. I weighted down the 4 corners with my cast iron pans while this dried. I’m not going to lie, it’s the first time they’ve been used in months. 😉
Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
I framed the outside of the square with 1×2 lumber. I used glue and my brad nailer for this step.
Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
I marked 3/8″ down for the reveal around the front edge of the frame. You can see where I applied the glue here too.

Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe

A close look at the assembled frame. The inside cedar square has a light whitewash with a cream paint. It looks beautiful as is, but didn’t quite work with the canvases.

ALSO, I sanded down the corners on the 1×3’s because I like that detail on stained wood. But, when painting, you might want to keep clean lines and sharp edges for a smooth finish. Caulking the joint between the 1×3 and 1×2 is another option for cleaner lines.

Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
I used wood filler on the nail holes, let that dry, then painted the frame with Behr’s Sandstone Cove. It’s one of the colors I use around my house. You can see it on the walls of my Master Bedroom here and on the cabinets in my Mudroom. After taking this picture, I lightly sanded this paint with 220-grit sandaper to get a smoother finish.
Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
After drying, break up those little paint bubbles in the cracks with a Utility Knife.
Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
You can get the steps for making those Faux Metal Patina Canvases in my last post. It’s a fun & easy DIY project, guys!
Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
Loving the way this looks already. 🙂
Build a DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for a canvas, print, or anything. You'll save money and get a custom size for your wall decor. #AbbottsAtHome #customframe #DIYframe
Don’t forget to Pin Me!

Looking for more cute and crafty decor? Check out this DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art Tutorial.

Build your own custom DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art. Works for Barn Quilt, Tribal Art, Boho, Mosaic, geometric wood designs and more. Includes DIY Wood Wall Art Tutorial steps and how-to video!

I love this Easy DIY Rust Paint Effect too. Update old decor and furniture into something unique and beautiful!

Easy DIY Rust Paint Effect to give your old Home Decor and Furniture a beautiful new look. Just paint then spray the patina, that's it! Easy DIY Home Decor Paint Makeover with metal patina paints.

Here’s how to make Chunky DIY Wooden Drawer Pulls with Dowels and 2×2 blocks.

How to Make Pretty and Easy DIY Wooden Drawer Pulls using dowel rods and 2x2's. I love this chunky look on cabinets and furniture!

Get the perfect rustic look for a table top with this DIY Scrap Wood Table Top tutorial.

Turn that scrap wood or reclaimed wood into this beautiful rustic DIY Scrap Wood Table Top for your next furniture or woodworking project. How to build a rustic reclaimed wood table top with a Kreg Jig.

OR try this Easy Wood Slice Wall Hook DIY.

Add the wood slice trend to your decor with this simple wood slice idea. This is how to Make a Simple DIY Wood Slice Wall Hook. An easy wood slice decor idea. #woodslice #DIYWallHook #DIYWoodSlice #WoodSliceDecor

So glad you stopped by to see this Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame. I hope you get a chance to check out more fun DIY Frame Ideas from my blogger friends below.

Farmhouse Picture Frame – Easy Wood Working DIY Using Barnwood
DIY Farmhouse Tissue Paper Frame
How to Make a DIY Photo Hoop
Ideas for Upcycling Old Picture Frames
How to Make a DIY Floating Frame

Feeling inspired? Get out there and make your own Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame. Have fun and 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.

14 thoughts on “Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for Wall Art”

  1. These look lovely. I like the tiles you’ve used for these frames. Actually, it was them that caught my attention so I’m going to check out your post/tutorial next :)Thanks for sharing Stephanie!

  3. Loved the Faux Metal Patina Canvases from your last post so much I just had to come see how you framed them. Beautiful Stephanie. So sad that we can’t get Dixie Belle paints here in S Africa. They won’t even ship overseas

    • I hope you can find something similar down there. I’ve never mentioned this before, but my Sister-in-law grew up in South Africa and Zimbabwe. She still has family there. And my hubby was there for the World Cup. If I ever make it down there, I’ll have to bring you some Dixie Belle paints. 🙂

  4. Wow what a fabulous idea!! I love how each square has a different look! Looks like they just walked out of an Art Shop!!! Awesome project!!!

  7. This frame looks really strong and capable of holding heavier objects like the clay tiles, or wood quilting squares, or even wall sculpture ideas. I really like the wood matting as well. Not to mention the moulding on the wall. sigh!

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