PictureFrames.com Review: Custom Frames That Actually Look Good (And Won't Ruin Your Wallet)

How I Became a Frame Convert (Or: Why I’m Never Going Back to IKEA)

Let’s get this out of the way: I’ve screwed up approximately 17 ‘easy assembly’ picture frames in my adult life. My bathroom still has a 2017 Bob Ross calendar trapped behind cracked plexiglass. So when my partner said ‘Let’s finally frame your weird vintage mushroom posters,’ I went into full defensive mode.

Enter PictureFrames.com – found through desperate Googling at 2 AM after realizing ‘custom frame shop near me’ only yielded places requiring a second mortgage. The homepage looked suspiciously normal (no Comic Sans! Actual size charts!). Three espresso martinis later, I’d ordered six frames in varying sizes. What could go wrong?

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First Impressions: When the Boxes Don’t Suck

The frames arrived faster than my last Amazon Prime order (4 business days from click to doorstep). Unboxing felt like Christmas:

Slim Real Wood Custom Picture Frames | PictureFrames.com

No Styrofoam peanuts (hallelujah) – everything nested in recycled cardboard
Each frame wrapped in soft cloth sleeves instead of plastic
Included:
- Hanging hardware that didn’t look like it came from a gumball machine
- Alcohol wipes for glass cleaning
- A handwritten note: ‘Your art deserves this’ (corny… but I’ll allow it)

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Real Talk: These Frames Survived My Chaotic Life

Notable Moments:

The ‘Great Cat Incident of 2023’ (RIP my monstera plant, but the Salvador Dalí-esque cat portrait stayed perfectly level)
My niece’s ‘abstract juice art’ phase looked shockingly professional in a 8x10 black float frame
Hosting book club where three people asked if my MCM frame was ‘vintage Eames’ (it’s not)

Unexpected Wins:

The non-glare acrylic actually works – no more looking at my reflection while admiring my Klimt print
Discovered their ‘Frame It For Me’ service handles artwork you mail in (tested with a $5 flea market find – now looks like MoMA material)
10% ‘Oops’ discount popped up when I left frames in my cart for 2 hours (capitalism works!)

Let’s Get Nitpicky: The Good, The Bad, The ‘Meh’

Pros (that made me text my design-obsessed sister):

Custom sizes without cult-like markup – Finally framed my awkward 11x14 concert poster
Actual human customer support – Real person named Dave helped me fix a color mismatch
Surprisingly good sales – Scored 25% off during their ‘National Dog Day’ sale (???)
Apartment-friendly hardware – Included 3M strips that don’t take drywall with them

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Cons (keeping it 100% real):

Mat board options limited – Had to go elsewhere for that perfect millennial pink border
Desktop site > mobile – Color previews look different on iPhone screens
Assembly requires patience – Took me 12 minutes per frame while watching Great British Bake Off

Custom Wood Picture Frame | Black w/ Gold Wood Picture Frame SM2 | PictureFrames.com

Pro Tips From My Many Mistakes

Size Hacks: Always order sample swatches – their ‘Heirloom Walnut’ looks very different in Brooklyn daylight vs. your basement apartment
Money Saver: Combine multiple artworks in one order for bulk shipping discounts
Secret Style Move: Use their float mounts for concert tickets – instant high-end look for your TS Eras Tour shrine
Avoid Regret: Spring for the museum glass if it’s something valuable – worth the $15 upgrade

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