You have ordered a hand-painted painting of your favourite photo - or you are thinking about it. One of the questions that comes up most often is: which frame actually suits my painting? The frame isn't just a practical finishing touch. It is part of the artwork and determines how the painting works with your home.
At Fotoalsgemälde.ch we offer 5 different frame types, all selected to suit hand-painted oil paintings. In this guide we go through each frame type, which styles they suit, and how to find the right one for your home. We have delivered many paintings to homes across Switzerland, and the frame is almost always where customers have the most questions - so let's take it thoroughly.
Do you need a frame at all?
The short answer: no, it isn't a requirement. You can perfectly well hang your painting directly without a frame. The canvas is stretched on a solid wooden stretcher, and the edges are painted so that it looks good from every angle. Many of our customers actually choose the clean look without a frame, because it gives a modern, minimalist feel.
But a frame adds something special. It lifts the painting from being "a canvas on the wall" to being a finished work of art. It defines the edges, protects the canvas and gives the painting a clearer presence in the room. If you want the full gallery look - and if you would like to give the painting as a gift - we almost always recommend a frame.
With us, the frame is included in the price regardless of size and type. You choose it when you order, and it is delivered mounted together with the painting, ready to hang.
Our 5 frame types - overview
Over the years we have tried an incredible number of frames. We have ended up with 5 types that cover virtually every home and style:
- Black floating frame - modern, sharp, defined
- White floating frame - light, airy, Scandinavian
- Light oak wooden frame - natural, warm, classic Scandinavian
- Dark walnut wooden frame - elegant, warm, traditional
- Gold frame - luxurious, classic, regal
Let's go into depth with each one.
1. Black floating frame - the modern classic
The black floating frame is our most popular choice. A floating frame is constructed so that there is a small air gap between the canvas and the frame moulding itself - which makes the painting "float" in the frame instead of sitting squeezed in. The effect is modern and sharp, and it works in almost any home.
When does the black floating frame suit?
- Modern homes with clean lines and neutral wall colours
- White or light walls - the contrast makes the painting pop
- An industrial look with concrete, metal or dark furniture
- Black-and-white and monochrome subjects - the black frame matches the palette
- If you want something "timeless" that doesn't tie you to a particular style
The black floating frame is especially good for portrait paintings, because it focuses the eye on the face itself without distracting.
2. White floating frame - the Scandinavian favourite
The white floating frame is the black frame's light sister. The same construction with an air gap, but in a pure white finish. It is light, airy and gives the painting an open, gallery-like look.
When does the white floating frame suit?
- Scandinavian-style homes with light wood, white walls and minimal furnishing
- Light subjects - where you don't want the frame to "close in" the painting
- Children's rooms and family rooms - it comes across as friendly and open
- If you have dark furniture and want something that breaks up the palette
- New-baby gift paintings and wedding paintings, where a light mood suits better than a dark frame
The white floating frame is also our standard recommendation if you are in doubt and simply want something that "fits in" without drawing attention.
3. Light oak wooden frame - the natural Scandinavian style
Light oak is a classic Scandinavian choice. The wood's natural grain and warm tone give the painting an organic, homely feel. Unlike the floating frames, the canvas sits right up against the frame moulding, so the painting is finished with a soft wooden edge all the way round.
When does light oak suit?
- Classic Scandinavian-style homes with wooden floors and natural materials
- Family homes with warm, light colour palettes
- Family portraits - the wood underlines the warm, homely atmosphere
- Holiday cottages, country houses and homes with a rustic interior
- Children's paintings and subjects with light, natural colours
Many of our customers choose light oak when they order a pet painting - the wood harmonises nicely with fur colours and gives a natural look that doesn't compete with the subject.
4. Dark walnut wooden frame - classic elegance
Dark walnut is the grown-up, sophisticated frame. The deep, warm wood colour gives the painting a weight and a look reminiscent of old manor-house paintings - just modernised. Like light oak, walnut is a closed wooden edge without an air gap.
When does dark walnut suit?
- Classic or traditional homes with antique furniture
- Living rooms with leather armchairs, dark wooden floors and warm lighting
- Portraits of parents, grandparents and generational paintings
- Memorial paintings, where a serious, quiet frame suits the subject
- Homes with rich, saturated wall colours - dark green, deep blue, burgundy
Dark walnut is especially strong when you have a portrait with a darker background or classical composition. The frame builds on the tone of the painting and makes it a unified, harmonious work.
5. Gold frame - regal luxury
The gold frame is our most dramatic choice. It is classic, regal and gives the painting a distinctly solemn character. We make the gold frame in a muted, warm gold tone - not a garish artificial gold, but something reminiscent of old paintings in museums.
When does the gold frame suit?
- Classic portraits where you want an "ancestral gallery" look
- Wedding paintings, where you want to mark the day as something special
- Memorial paintings of loved ones who have passed away, where a solemn frame is appropriate
- Living rooms with antique furniture, heavier textiles and classic furnishing
- If you deliberately want to break with a modern home and create a statement piece
The gold frame doesn't work in every home - in a completely minimalist Scandinavian room it can quickly look out of place. But in the right room it is unrivalled.
How to choose the right frame
We often get the question: "Which frame should I choose?" Here is our simple decision model:
Step 1: Look at the room where the painting will hang
Stand where the painting will hang and look at the other furniture and elements. Is wood dominant? Choose a wooden frame (light oak or walnut). Is the room white and minimalist? Choose a floating frame (white or black). Are there already classic, dark furniture or antique details? Consider gold or walnut.
Step 2: Think about the subject of the painting
A portrait of a grandfather in his 70s suits walnut or gold. A wedding painting suits a white floating frame or gold. A pet portrait suits light oak or a white floating frame. A corporate painting for the office typically suits a black floating frame or walnut.
Step 3: Think about whether the painting should be a statement or blend in
Should the painting be the centrepiece of the room (statement)? Choose a high-contrast frame - black in a white room, gold in a classic room. Should it blend into the furnishings (integration)? Choose a frame that matches the existing wood colours in the room.
Examples of frame choices from real customers
The Müller family in Zurich ordered a large family portrait of 80x120 cm. Their home is classic Scandinavian in style, with wooden floors and natural materials. We recommended light oak, and the result was exactly what they had hoped for - warm, homely and perfectly integrated.
A customer in Bern ordered a memorial painting of her late mother. The living room had dark furniture and burgundy walls. We recommended dark walnut. The painting now hangs above the fireplace and serves as a quiet, dignified focal point.
A managing director ordered a corporate painting as a gift for staff. The recipient was going to hang it in their office. We recommended a black floating frame - modern, sharp, and it suited the office's minimalist look perfectly.
The quality of our frames
All of our frames are made of solid wood, not MDF or plastic-imitation materials. They are sturdy, durable and made to accompany the painting for many decades. We mount the frame directly on the canvas before dispatch, so you receive a finished, ready-to-hang work.
We also give our satisfaction guarantee on both painting and frame. If you receive your painting and for any reason aren't satisfied, we would like to hear from you.
Should I order the frame straight away or later?
We strongly recommend ordering the frame at the same time as the painting. Three reasons:
- Price: The frame is included in the price - and you will rarely find a frame of the same quality in a shop for under 240-320 CHF.
- Fit: Our frames are tailored exactly to our canvas sizes. You avoid awkward dimensions.
- Delivery: You get everything in one shipment, mounted and ready.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have questions that aren't answered here? Take a look at our FAQ page, or write to us directly. We always reply within a few hours on working days.
Ready to order?
Find your favourite collection - portrait, family, pet, wedding, memorial, new-baby gift or corporate - choose a size, upload your photo, and add your frame. We paint by hand, deliver in 2-3 weeks by insured, trackable parcel delivery (DHL/UPS) to your door, and you have our satisfaction guarantee behind you.