3 Unique Ways to Use Mats

When putting together a frame to hang your new artwork or favorite photo, it’s easy to overlook one of the key components in the piece… the mat. Since mats help draw the eye to the piece they surround, they are such an important part of the overall frame! While many of us typically opt for a classic white mat, there are so many different ways to use mats that showcase your piece beautifully and feel more unique. In today’s post, we’re sharing 3 unique ways to use mats to help you explore your options when building your custom frame. For even more in detail, don’t miss this post breaking down the top need-to-knows about mats!

#1: Use a Double Mat

Double mats are an easy and cost-effective way to give your art more presence. The overall frame looks so much more elevated with virtually no extra work! The technique is quite simple, done by layering one mat on top of the other so that the bottom mat acts as a decorative border around your framed artwork. It gives your piece an extra little pop and makes it feel different than your standard frame and mat combination. 

#2: Select a Mat With a Pop of Color

While we love neutral home decor, adding color to your frame is an easy way to give the room more warmth and make the artwork shine even more. If you have neutral artwork, select a colored mat that flows with the rest of your home decor to bring in and blend colors. If you have artwork that already has color, we like to pull a single color from the artwork by choosing a mat that matches. Colored mats make the artwork shine even more and can range from soft and understated colors to bright and fun colors! We have 33 different mat colors to choose from in our custom frame builder so you’re sure to find a color that works with your artwork. 

#3: Don’t Use a Mat at All

If you’re going for more of a minimalist look, skip the mat! A frame without a mat feels more modern and is a great option if you have large-format photography and artwork. Omitting the mat from your frame gives your image a greater impact and lets it really stand out on the wall. However, we recommend using a mat if you are not working with a large-form piece since the mat creates space around the artwork giving your eye a little breathing room as your gaze is naturally drawn into the center. While there are many different mat options, selecting the right one all depends on the artwork you are working with. Try different combinations out in the custom frame builder to see what your finished piece will look like before you order it, and find even more helpful mat tips in our design resources here!