Happy Tuesday, friends! If you’re on the hunt for creative ways to fill the walls in your home, I’ve got a tip for you on how to create a high end, big impact look for an affordable price. Pick up some gallery frames with oversized mats!

The reason I love this idea is because it allows you to purchase smaller-scale art (originals or prints) and frame them in a way that gives them more presence than you’d expect from a little piece. For example, you could purchase a 20x20 frame that has a mat opening for a 5x7, which gives your art some heft when you hang it. I think the oversized mats draw attention to the piece in a modern and dramatic way. You can frame photos using this technique as well.

There are three ways to get this look:

Purchase a gallery frame and have a custom mat cut for it (art stores like Michael’s can do this for you)
Find a ready-made frame that already has an oversized mat
Have a piece custom framed with an oversized mat

Ways one and two are the most affordable options (having custom mats cut is actually pretty cost-effective!). Number three gives you a lot of customization options, but comes with a higher price tag. Depending on your goals and the look you’re going for, you might choose one of these options over another, but the good news is if you’re hoping for a ready-made option, you’ve got a lot to choose from these days! At the end of the post, you’ll find a roundup of some really great ones in different finishes and sizes. Hopefully you’ll be able to find just what you need!

Want to see what this looks like in some real spaces? Let me show you a few examples:

via Z Design at Home

I love how this collection of four small prints instantly has a higher impact in a set of frames with oversized mats. Hanging them around the TV creates a modern gallery wall to distract from the TV (I love when a TV doesn’t have to be a focal point!) and makes the inexpensive prints look high end.

via Studio McGee

Got a long hallway to fill? Snag this idea from Studio McGee: line the walls with big frames filled with smaller prints or photos. The offset mat opening adds an extra special touch. Going with oversized mats like these offers a simpler look with lots of “breathing room” around the prints.

via The Everygirl

Similarly, this gallery wall that goes up the stairs looks super custom, but it’s really just some thin black frames with oversized, offset mats! The black and white prints give it a cohesive, calm look too.

gallery-frame-oversized-mat-navy kitchen.jpeg

via Apartment Therapy

You don’t necessarily have to create a whole gallery wall though. You can add this look to your home with just one or two pieces like they did in the kitchen above or on the wall below.

via sf girl by bay

It’s a little bit hard to tell the scale in the image above, but that looks like one GIANT frame with a small piece in the center. Talk about big impact with a single piece, right? The oversized mat is the genius behind this pretty look.

via Architectural Digest

On the opposite end of size, how about flanking a mirror with four smaller frames? Because that console is so large, the decor above it needs to be pretty substantial. The mix of art, sconces, and a mirror does the trick.

via Home on Oak

Lastly, if you’ve got a big, empty wall, try creating a floor-to-ceiling grid gallery wall. Choosing larger frames with smaller mat openings allows each piece/photo to breathe and have its “moment” and doesn’t overpower the wall.

Are your wheels turning yet? Now that you’ve got some inspiration as a jumping off point, let’s take those ideas and make them a reality in our homes! Below I’ve got 16 ready-made frames with oversized mats for you. You’ll find the links to the sources underneath the graphic. A lot of these frames come in additional sizes or finishes, so if you see one that is almost exactly what you’re looking for, be sure to click over and check out the different options to find the perfect ones!