How to Update Old Frames and Give Them New Meaning

Old picture frames are easy to overlook. They sit in closets, storage boxes or on shelves collecting dust. Maybe the color doesn’t match your style anymore. Maybe the corners are chipped. Maybe the photo inside feels outdated.

But here’s the truth: just because a frame is old doesn’t mean it’s finished.

Behind that worn wood or faded metal might be a moment that still matters — a memory worth preserving, a person worth honoring or a feeling that deserves to be seen every day. Updating an old frame is more than a design project. It’s a way to reconnect with your past, refresh your space, and reclaim the emotional value of something you already own.

At MyProMemories, we believe in preserving what matters — whether you're creating something brand new or giving new life to what you already have. In this guide, we’ll show you how to update old picture frames in meaningful, stylish and simple ways — without losing the story they hold.

Reevaluate the Photo or Artwork Inside the Frame

Before you touch the frame itself, take a moment to look at what’s inside.
Ask yourself:

• Does this image still reflect something important to me?

• Is there a better way to tell this story?

• Would a new image, design or message carry more meaning now?

Sometimes, what’s inside the frame is what needs updating — not the frame at all.

If the photo still feels powerful, consider enhancing its presentation with a new mat or higher-quality print. If the image feels outdated or disconnected, consider replacing it with something new:

• A recent photo of family or loved ones

• A customized map poster of a meaningful location

• A quote or message that reflects a personal milestone

• A handwritten letter or note turned into a print

• A collage of photos from the same time period

This is your chance to refresh the memory, not just the frame.

Restore, Refresh or Redesign the Frame

Once you’ve decided what’s going inside, it’s time to focus on the frame itself.

Old frames often have good structure but worn finishes, outdated colors or small flaws. Here are several ways to bring them back to life — from simple cleanups to full transformations.

Clean and Polish

Start with the basics.

• For wooden frames: Use a damp cloth and mild soap to remove dust. Follow with furniture polish to restore the shine.

• For metal frames: Use a metal cleaner to remove tarnish or corrosion.

• For ornate or carved frames: Use a soft brush or toothbrush to get into grooves.

You’ll be surprised how much difference basic cleaning can make.

Paint It

Painting a frame is one of the easiest and most effective ways to make it feel new.

Tips:

• Sand the surface lightly to help paint stick.

• Use spray paint for smooth, even coats.

• Choose matte black or white for a modern look.

• Use gold or bronze for something classic.

• Try pastels or brights to add playful or contemporary flair.

Painting can completely change the tone of a frame and help it match your current decor.

Wrap or Embellish It

If you don’t want to paint, try wrapping the frame in something tactile:

• Twine or rope for rustic style

• Fabric or ribbon for softness

• Decorative tape or washi for color accents

Or, glue on small details like buttons, dried flowers, shells or craft embellishments. Make it personal, not perfect.

Swap the Mat Board

An easy upgrade is replacing or adding a mat board — the border that surrounds the photo inside the frame.

A white or cream mat gives a clean, gallery-style look. Colored mats can bring in warmth or tie into your room’s color scheme. Mats also help protect photos and draw the eye to the image, not the frame.

Rethink What a Frame Is "For"

You don’t have to use a picture frame for a traditional photo. Some of the most meaningful displays come from reimagining what belongs inside.

Here are some creative ideas for giving old frames new purpose:

Create a Collage

Instead of one large image, use smaller photos or clippings to create a collage of a time period, event or person. You can layer textures, write captions or add mementos.

Frame a Map, Not a Photo

Use one of our Customized Map Posters to highlight a special location — where you were born, where you met someone or a place that changed your life. These look stunning in both old and new frames.

Print and Frame a Quote

Type or write out a quote that inspires you — something a loved one said, a line from a book or your personal motto. Pair it with a mat board and a minimal background for a clean, meaningful design.

Turn It into a Message Board

For an entirely new use, remove the glass and add:

• Corkboard for pins and notes

• Chalkboard paint for messages

• A calendar or to-do list

It becomes both functional and decorative.

Frame a Keepsake

Instead of a photo, frame something physical:

• A wedding invitation or program

• A baby’s first sock or hospital bracelet

• A meaningful postcard or ticket

• A family recipe in someone’s handwriting

This gives the frame a deeper emotional connection, while also turning everyday items into art.

Place It With Intention in Your Home

Now that the frame is updated, think about where it belongs. Don’t just stick it back on the same shelf or wall.

Ask yourself:

• Where will I see this and feel its meaning the most?

• Does it deserve a place on a memory wall?

• Would it work well in a gallery-style display?

• Is it better suited for a desk, mantel or hallway?

You can also mix it in with newer frames. Combining old and updated frames creates a layered look that feels warm and lived-in — especially if you keep the color palette consistent.

Your home should tell your story — and the placement of each frame helps shape how that story is experienced.

Add a Private Note or Signature to the Back

One powerful but often overlooked step is to write something personal on the back of the frame.

This could be:

• The date it was updated

• A short story about what the photo or item means to you

• A message for the person who might one day inherit it

By adding a note or signature, you turn your update into part of the story. It becomes a time capsule — a way to carry the meaning forward for yourself or someone else.

Final Thought: Every Frame Has a Second Life

You don’t have to start fresh to create something meaningful.

Sometimes the most beautiful, heartfelt displays come from what you already have — if you’re willing to look at it differently. A scratched frame can be repainted. A dated photo can be replaced with a new custom print. A forgotten corner of your home can become a place of reflection.

At MyProMemories, we believe in preserving memories, not discarding them. Whether you're ordering a new map print, a framed quote or a personalized design, our goal is the same: to help you give your memories the space they deserve — even if that space is inside an old frame that simply needed new meaning.

Your story isn’t over — and neither is that frame.