Add A Vintage Touch To Your Picture Frame With This Charming Thrift Store Find

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Hanging a stunning piece of art on the wall is arguably the perfect way to adorn a room. However, it's just as crucial to choose the right picture frame to highlight the work. The frame should complement, not detract from, whatever is inside. Have you ever considered adding something outside the frame? Probably not, but it's a smart idea. You can further enhance the look of any wall décor and give it decidedly vintage vibes by adding this simple detail — an antique brass wall hanging, also known as a wall topper or architectural molding. This once common and now unusual decorative fixture looks stunning centered right above any framed picture. It's a bigger-is-better wall art trend that adds a touch of sophistication with little effort.

Ready to say goodbye to boring walls forever? If you're lucky, you might be able to find one of these antique brass wall hangings at a local thrift store or estate auction. At the very least, it's a good idea to browse such shopping spots to save money. Your second best bet is browsing the secondhand offerings on online marketplaces like Etsy or eBay. If you really can't find anything you like, shopping for new, antique-look toppers is an option, like this ornate Touch of Class Astrella Aged Gold Wall Topper for about $66. For something more affordable, this Simon's Shop Vintage Gold Bow Wall Accent for about $12 would work, too. After you've purchased your brass wall hanging, you'll need to customize it to match your picture frame.

When shopping for your brass wall hanging, whether that's at your local thrift store or online, try to select a piece that matches your complements either your existing frame or the picture in it. If you find a topper that looks great aesthetically but isn't the right color, you can fix that problem with some Rust-Oleum Specialty Metallic Spray Paint in Brass — or a similar product suitable for indoor use. You could even paint the picture frame and the newly found wall hanging the same color to coordinate them perfectly. After completing this (totally optional) step, leave the paint to dry to the touch (at least 20 minutes) before hanging the topper above your wall art.

Your brass wall hanging should have one or more discreet keyhole hangers or picture hooks on the back that loop over a nail or screw in the wall. If your framed picture is already hanging on the wall, use a tape measure to find the center of the frame and your brass topper. Mark the spot — or spots — where the screws will go with a carpenter's pencil. To hang both together, locate the best spot using a stud finder and a tape measure, and again, mark the screw holes. Hammer a nail into your wall or drill in some screws where you marked, then fit the wall hanging on them. To take this project to the next level, hang an ornate brass wall sconce, also scored from your local thrift store, on either side of your painting. Now there's no excuse to throw out old wall art. Try this DIY to create a new décor piece.