Where to Buy Frames: A Practical Guide for Every Budget

You've planned your layout. You know your sizes. Now comes the question everyone eventually asks: where do I actually buy these frames?

The frame market is huge and confusing—you can spend $6 or $600 on a frame, and both can be the right answer depending on the context. This guide breaks down the major sources by budget tier, explains the tradeoffs, and helps you choose based on your wall's specific needs.

💡 Tip: Use GalleryPlanner to finalize your frame sizes before you shop. It's much cheaper to change an 8×10 to an 11×14 on your screen than to return a frame. Export your frame list before heading to any of the stores below.

🌍 A note for readers outside the US: This guide is written from a North American perspective—the brands below (IKEA excepted) are largely US-based. If you're in the UK, Australia, Europe, or elsewhere, you almost certainly know your own local equivalents better than I do. The principles here—what to look for, which quality tier to buy in, what questions to ask—all translate. The specific store names mostly don't. Apologies for the blind spot.

Budget Tier: Under $15 per Frame

IKEA

A reliable source for affordable, minimal frames. RIBBA and HOVSTA are the workhorses of countless gallery walls.

What's good:

• Consistent quality at consistently low prices
• Wide mat included (gives the wall a gallery feel without spending more)
• Available in multiple colors per series (black, white, natural, birch)
• Standardized sizes that play well together in grid arrangements
• Real glass (not plastic) on most frames

What to watch:

• Limited to standard photo sizes—if you're using custom crops or unusual aspect ratios, you may need to trim prints
• Popular styles can go out of stock
• Can only be purchased in-store (online availability varies)

Best for: Grid-style or matching-frame arrangements. Especially strong for 5×7, 8×10, and 11×14 in the RIBBA line.

Target (Room Essentials & Threshold Lines)

Target's in-house brands offer solid frames that punch slightly above their price point in terms of aesthetics.

What's good:

• Available online for delivery, in-store pickup, or same-day
• More variety in finishes (matte black is excellent)
• Threshold line occasionally has gallery-style options worth considering

What to watch:

• Quality can vary between product lines—check reviews before buying multiples
• The mat quality is sometimes thin and can buckle in humid conditions

Best for: Filling out a mixed arrangement where you need consistency at low cost. Works well for 4×6 and 5×7 accent frames.

Amazon Basics / Unbranded Frames

Amazon has a huge selection of frames from generic third-party sellers. The quality varies wildly, but there are reliable options.

What's good:

• Huge size variety, including non-standard sizes (that 7×10 or 12×16 you can't find at Target)
• Multipack options reduce per-frame cost significantly
• Convenient delivery

What to watch:

• Inconsistent quality control—a set of 12 identical frames sometimes has 2–3 that are slightly off
• Browse by reviews carefully; look for "Verified Purchase" reviews with photos
• Glass vs. acrylic varies—check carefully

Best for: Bulk-buying statement-less frames in a layout where the photos are the focus, not the frames. Also great for non-standard sizes.

Mid-Range Tier: $15–$60 per Frame

West Elm

West Elm's frame selection leans modern and architectural. The Gallery Frames collection is a standby.

What's good:

• High-quality finishes (especially the matte black, weathered wood, and acrylic)
• Consistent sizing and quality across the line
• Material variety: metal, wood, lucite
• Large sizes available (16×20 and up) that hold up beautifully
• Sales are frequent (~30% off regularly)

What to watch:

• Standard pricing is steep for what you get; wait for a sale
• The aesthetic is distinctly modern/contemporary—won't suit all home styles

Best for: Statement frames in contemporary or minimalist interiors. The Gallery Frame line is a reliable choice for a polished, cohesive wall.

CB2

CB2's frame selection is more curated and minimal than West Elm, with an emphasis on clean lines and interesting materials.

What's good:

• High-quality, design-forward options that are hard to find elsewhere
• Options like floating frames (great for canvas and original art)
• Interesting material choices (concrete, resin, thin metal)

What to watch:

• Limited size selection compared to West Elm
• Higher price point even for smaller frames

Best for: One or two accent frames in an eclectic or design-forward arrangement.

Pottery Barn

More traditional than West Elm (they're sister brands), with warmer finishes like antique gold, aged silver, and rich wood tones.

What's good:

• Excellent quality, especially for wooden frames
• Suits traditional, transitional, and classic interiors very well
• Large format options are plentiful

What to watch:

• Very traditional aesthetic—not the right fit for modern or minimalist walls
• Pricey at full price; their sale events bring significant discounts

Best for: Multigenerational family walls, traditional or transitional living rooms, and anywhere antique or vintage aesthetics apply.

Hobby Lobby & Michael's

Craft stores are an underrated frame source. Crucially, they run 40–50% off coupons almost constantly.

What's good:

• Huge variety of styles and sizes, including custom sizes
• Always a coupon available online (don't ever pay full price)
• Unique finishes and ornate options you won't find at big-box stores
• Custom framing in-store (see custom tier below)
• Custom mat cutting in-store

What to watch:

• Quality is very variable—inspect carefully in-store
• Styles can veer into kitschy territory

Best for: Eclectic and vintage-inspired walls where mix-and-match is the point. Also great for ornate frames paired with archival or botanical prints.

Custom / Premium Tier: $60+ per Frame

Framebridge

Framebridge is a well-known custom framer that makes the online process easy.

What's good:

• Custom frame any size, from tiny to massive
• Upload your photo digitally; they print, frame, and ship it ready-to-hang
• High-quality archive-safe materials
• Excellent mat selection and design previewing tool
• Trusted by design professionals

What to watch:

• More expensive than off-the-shelf frames—budget accordingly
• Turnaround is typically 2–3 weeks
• Returns are complicated since the frame is custom-made

Best for: Hero pieces, large anchor frames (16×20 and up), original artwork, and any situation where you're commissioning a piece to live on your wall permanently.

Artifact Uprising

Artifact Uprising blurs the line between photo printing and framing. They're known for exceptional print quality and carefully chosen materials.

What's good:

• Extremely high-quality print output (true archival printing on fine papers)
• Integrated photo + frame ordering (they print AND frame)
• Beautiful material choices: white oak, walnut, maple

What to watch:

• Premium prices
• Limited size options compared to Framebridge
• The aesthetic is distinctly warm and natural—a specific point of view

Best for: Portrait photography that deserves investment-level treatment. Anniversary gifts, milestone photos, heirloom-quality pieces.

Local Custom Framers

Almost every town has an independent picture framing shop. These are often the best value in the custom tier and offer something chains can't: expertise, flexibility, and genuine craft.

What's good:

• The framer looks at your actual artwork and makes recommendations
• Nearly infinite material choice
• Can frame anything: irregular shapes, canvas, needlepoint, 3D objects, documents, jerseys
• Turnaround is often faster than online options (1–2 weeks)

What to watch:

• Prices vary; always get a quote and compare
• Quality is framer-dependent—ask to see examples of past work
• May not be able to preview digitally

Best for: Original art, antique prints, sentimental items, anything non-standard, and anyone who wants a genuinely personal service experience.

Quick Reference: Choosing the Right Source

The Mixed-Source Wall

Don't feel obligated to buy from just one place. The most interesting gallery walls often combine:

• IKEA for the grid background frames
• A few West Elm or CB2 statement frames for the anchor pieces
• One or two thrift store finds for personality
• One Framebridge or local custom frame for the most important piece

This approach gives you variety in material and price while keeping the overall wall budget reasonable.