How To Give Any Framed Thrift Store Art A Modern & Elegant Upgrade

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When you're in the market for charming vintage decor items that elevate your home on a budget, the thrift store is often the way to go. There, you'll find a kaleidoscope of used goods, like antique lamps, kitschy retro bookends, and vintage art. Framed art, specifically, is often one of those simple and affordable finds that give your space character and intrigue. But if your interior decorating style leans more modern, hanging a gilded, ornate vintage frame probably doesn't make sense to the overall aesthetic. The good news is, once you know how to upgrade your vintage frame to a modern one, you can incorporate virtually any framed art piece you find into a contemporary space. Even a simple fix, like spray paint, can give your antique an instant modern refresh. For this DIY, all you'll need is liquid sandpaper or a hand sander, like this Black+Decker Detail Sander, painter's tape, Krud Kutter (any degreaser/stain remover spray works, too), and spray paint.

When it comes to wall art, the frames matter more than you think. The style of framed art, such as clean lines and minimalist silhouettes, along with neutral hues and refined textures, instantly conveys a simple, functional, yet effortlessly modern look. There are many ways to use paint to refresh your vintage thrift store framed art; it's all about finding the right color and style of frame. Classic wooden frames can be transformed with a little spray paint, but choosing the right color makes all the difference. Flashes of gold can prompt luxury, while traditional wooden frames look rustic or vintage. As for traditional, Victorian-style frames, on the other hand, it may be a little tricky, but using neutral tones can help modernize a piece to better fit your aesthetic.

Tape off the art to protect the edges of the painting from debris and spray paint. Covering the art with plastic prevents messy paint accidents. Next, clean the frame using liquid sandpaper, brushing the liquid along the frame (as a safety measure, use gloves for this step). Going over the frame with a hand sander helps smooth remaining rough spots. Spray stain remover over the frame and wipe it with a cloth towel. This helps smooth out the sanding for clean paint application. Finally, using a few cheap finds from Dollar Tree to make spray painting easier, paint a beautiful gilded shade along the borders. The result is a stunning frame that looks elegant and contemporary.

Warm metals are strong players when it comes to evoking luxury and elegance. But you can play around with the shades based on the overall tone and color palette of the artwork and your space. Gold and copper colors warm up a space and effortlessly capture a chic, modern look. On the other hand, silver paint can cool down the space and make a wall look more sophisticated and refined, as can these other luxurious color schemes.

Clearly, it's easy to turn a simple, wooden frame into a modern piece, but what about ornate, traditional frames that look straight out of the Victorian era? Well, you'd be surprised at how neutral paint can transform vintage framed art. If you find a frame with gilded, ornate details, painting over it with black or white paint, for example, instantly neutralizes its vintage style, which can complement a modern or contemporary interior decor style. Neutrals, namely black and white, are not only a staple in modern design, but create a timeless color scheme, too.