Have a Bunch of Old Picture Frames Lying Around? Here Are 6 Things You Can Do With Them

Have an old frame on hand that you don’t have space for on the wall but aren’t ready to part with quite yet? There are many clever ways that you can make use of picture frames all throughout your home beyond their traditional use, so even if you can’t remember the last time you printed out a photo, you’re in luck. 

“Repurposing old picture frames is one of those design tricks that feels both resourceful and unexpectedly chic,” says Vyanca Soto, the founder of Market Studio Interiors. “I love finding creative ways to give them new life beyond their traditional use.” Keep reading for six crafty ways to transform an old frame into something new and useful. 

Turn a Frame Into a Tray

Soto enjoys taking ornate style frames in particular and making them into serving trays. “By adding a solid backing, like a piece of marble, mirror, or even woven cane, and attaching sleek handles, you instantly create a unique, functional piece that feels high-end yet personal,” she says. “It’s a budget-friendly way to bring character to a coffee table or bar cart while repurposing something with sentimental value.” 

You could also use a tray like this one to house perfumes on a dresser top, corral spice jars on a kitchen counter, or organize office supplies on a desk. The possibilities are truly endless.

Use Frames as Architectural Detailing

Looking to add some character to your home but don’t want to spend a pretty penny in the process? Grab some old frames, Soto suggests. “Instead of crown molding or traditional wainscoting, a series of empty frames in varying sizes can be mounted on a wall to create layered paneling,” she explains. “Painted in a monochromatic tone to match the wall, it gives an elevated, European-inspired feel without the cost of custom millwork.” 

Design and Hang a Pinboard

Looking for a way to keep paper invitations and reminders handy? Turn a frame into a pinboard. Soto suggests adding a linen or cork insert and grabbing some push pins, and you’re all set! This style of pinboard would look right at home in an office space, kitchen, entryway, mudroom—you name it. 

Transform Your Frame Into an Organizer

Yes, your picture frames can help you organize your space! Need somewhere to hang your necklaces so they don’t get tangled? Soto recommends fitting a frame with mesh and then using it as a jewelry display.

You can also use a frame to create a jewelry display that lies flat, adds Sarah Teresinski, the founder of Redeux Style.

She recommends covering a piece of foam with fabric and inserting it in into the frame—no glass needed. “You have created a padded tray to place your jewelry on in your drawers,” she says. “You can even create multiple trays and stack them on top of each other.”

Create a Game Board

Checkers, anyone? Teresinski will repurpose larger frames by turning them into game boards. She suggests painting a chess or checker board on a piece of cardboard, sliding that into a frame, and then adding the glass back on. “You’ve created a unique game board—all you need now are your chess or checker pieces,” she says.

Make a Frame Into a Mirror

If you feel as though you already have enough wall art on display but could really use a new mirror in your space, try this trick. Take your empty frame into a local frame shop or hardware store where you can have a piece of mirrored glass cut so that it fits inside perfectly. If you desire an elegant, old-fashioned look, use a more ornate frame here, but if your style leans more contemporary, a sleek option will work nicely.