Instant Upgrade: Faux Wood Frame Hack in Under 5 Minutes

Sometimes you need a DIY project that delivers a nice impact without a massive time commitment. Lately, our home projects have been the kind that seem to drag on forever, so I was itching for a quick win. I originally tackled this hack on a boring metal poster frame in our bathroom, and the result was so good, I recently applied it again to thrifted art, this time using trendy burl wood contact paper!

The solution? A simple roll of contact paper or wood grain tape (or brown patterned washi tape) applied over a poster frame! I was able to completely transform that cold, modern frame into a warm, faux wood finish in less than five minutes.

Wood Picture Frame Hack

Inspired by Washi Tape Magic

I have to give full credit for this genius idea to Tiina (@llaayyeerrss) on Instagram! She inspired me by completely upgrading her gallery wall using decorative washi tape on picture frames. I took her brilliant concept and applied it using wood grain tape to achieve that desirable warm wood aesthetic.

Ready for the DIY Poster Frame tutorial?

BEFORE: Metal Poster Frame

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Materials You'll Need

• A metal or plastic picture frame/poster frame: Thinner profiles work best for seamless wrapping.
• Wood Grain Contact Paper or Brown Washi Tape: I chose a medium tone brown wood grain tape for a realistic, warm look.
  • Wood Grain Washi Tape
  • Burl Wood Contact Paper (just used this in the same way on a different frame)
• Scissors

The 5-Minute DIY Faux Wood Frame Tutorial

This is genuinely one of the easiest transformations you can do. No painting, no drying time, and no mess!

1. Grab a picture frame or poster frame. The thinner the frame, the better.
2. Apply the tape along the bottom of the frame, using your finger to smooth and push down over the sides.
3. Repeat, along the front of the frame (you can overlap the washi tape).
4. On the side of the frame, repeat step three.

The Final Result

Honestly, I’m not a perfectionist when it comes to quick hacks, and this project still looks fantastic! The new faux wood frame instantly added warmth, texture, and a touch of interest to an otherwise plain wall. It’s amazing what a few minutes and a roll of specialty tape can do to completely change the feel of a space.

Give this hack a try the next time you need a quick, satisfying DIY win!

Here's the newest frame hack with the contact paper:

Wood Picture Frame Hack : Pin For Later