IKEA Hack: DIY Painted Picture Mats

Hi Practically Functional Readers! I’m Gemma, hopping over from my DIY + design blog, THE SWEETEST DIGS. I’m joining Jessi on here today to share one of my latest projects that was so ridiculously easy and has such a sweet result – some DIY painted picture mats.

Easily customize your artwork for your home with this DIY painted picture mat tutorial.

DIY Painted Picture Mats

Here’s what you need for this project:

  • IKEA Ribba frames
  • Paint
  • Paint Brushes

Let me back up for a sec. We have spent the last year and a half doing a really major renovation on what was a little bungalow (it’s now a 3-story family home!). My daughter’s room was one of the first to be “finished” (you can check it out here), but as with any space that I decorate, I am constantly tweaking until it feels just right.

DIY Painted Pictures Mats
One of the corners of her room has some bookshelves and a few art prints from my Etsy shop. The rest of her room is super bright and cheery, so this space always felt a little dull to me.

DIY Painted Pictures Mats
There was nothing wrong with the frames or the artwork, but they needed a little more “happy”. I decided to pull the mats out of the frame – they are the IKEA Ribba frame by the way, which I use EVERYWHERE in our house – and give them a makeover.
I took the same sweet pink paint I had used on the opposite wall of her room and gave the mats a coat. It took all of 5 minutes to brush on the paint, and I let them dry overnight.

DIY Painted Pictures Mats
I popped the art back together and up on the wall (you may notice I also switched out one of the prints – I told you, I like to tweak!), and check out how darling they now look! So much better, right?

DIY Painted Pictures Mats
These are definitely bright and have a kids-room appeal, but you could absolutely use this same trick for any of the artwork in your pad. Want to make your frames a bit more moody? Paint the mats a rich black. Maybe you need to unify a collection in a gallery wall? Painting the mats all the same color would totally do the trick. The possibilities are endless and it’s such an easy upgrade that looks so custom.

DIY Painted Pictures Mats
If you’re looking for some art prints to throw in your frames, head on over here for a FREE “adventure awaits” downloadable art print!

Do you guys have any art framing tricks to share? Ever hacked an IKEA frame? We want to hear about it!

Thanks for having me, you guys. Come say hello over at my blog, my etsy shop, or on instagram, facebook, or pinterest. I’d love to hang!

xo, gemma

Want to share this tutorial with your friends? Just click any of the share buttons on the left to share with Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.!

If you liked this project, check out these other simple decor projects!

Jessi Wohlwend

I believe that anyone can do crafts and DIY projects, regardless of skill or experience. I love sharing simple craft ideas, step by step DIY project tutorials, cleaning hacks, and other tips and tricks all with one goal in mind: giving you the tools you need to “do it yourself”, complete fun projects, and make awesome things!

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Reader Interactions

  1. Maya says

    6 years ago

    What type of paint did you use? Would acrylic paint due or paint typically for walls of the house?

  2. Sarah says

    6 years ago

    I tried this and really wanted it to work, but when I put the mat back in the frame (fully dried) it makes spots against the glass. It’s hard to explain, but it looks wet against the glass even though the mat is dry. Did you do something to prevent that???

  3. Emily says

    7 years ago

    Hi! Wondering if the matte stuck to the glass at all when reassembled.

  4. Alexis says

    8 years ago

    So cute with the pink mats!

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