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. 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. Today, I went with this easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame for my Faux Metal Patina canvases.
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.
Look at that beautiful Cedar!You can see a couple more of frame DIY ideas on my 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. 🙂
Don’t forget to Pin Me!THIS POST MAY CONTAIN AFFILIATE LINKS. AFFILIATES HELP YOUR FAVORITE BLOGGERS DELIVER FREE CONTENT. Make sure to always read the directions for any products or tools you use while building. Read the full disclaimer here.
Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame – 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.
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.
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.
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. 😉
I framed the outside of the square with 1×2 lumber. I used glue and my brad nailer for this step.
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.
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.
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.
After drying, break up those little paint bubbles in the cracks with a Utility Knife.
You can get the steps for making those Faux Metal Patina Canvases in my last post. It’s a fun & easy DIY project, guys!
Loving the way this looks already. 🙂
Don’t forget to Pin Me!Looking for more cute and crafty decor? Check out this DIY Scrap Wood Wall Art Tutorial.
OR try this Easy Wood Slice Wall Hook DIY.
So glad you stopped by to see this Easy DIY Chunky Wooden Frame. I hope you get a chance to check out more fun Frame Posts from this month’s Farmhouse Hens Blog Hop!!
Farmhouse Hens Blog Hop
The next time the Farmhouse Hens gather is in June. See you then!
Farmhouse Picture Frame – Easy Wood Working DIY Using Barnwood
Tarah at Grandma’s House DIY! Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
DIY Farmhouse Tissue Paper Frame
Sam at Raggedy Bits! Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
How to Make a DIY Photo Hoop
Michelle at Our Crafty Mom! Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
Ideas for Upcycling Old Picture Frames
Denise at My Thrifty House! Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
How to Make a DIY Floating Frame
Leanna at Faeries and Fauna! Blog | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter
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.
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!
Thanks, Kasia! I hope you like that DIY too. 🙂
This is such a cool idea! I love the faux patina you created. Such a creative project!
Thank you, Michelle. Have a great week!
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. 🙂
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!!!
Thanks so much, Sam!
Wow……this turned out amazing! Great job and I love the colors too.
Thank you, Denise!
Love love how this turned out!
Thank you, Tarah!
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!
Thanks so much, Leanna! So many possibilities with this frame. 🙂