No Frame, Traditional Frame, or Float Frame? How to Choose the Perfect Finish for Your Custom Canvas

By: Twelveen
Published: January 10，2026

When you're ordering your custom portrait from Twelveen, you'll notice we give you three options: unframed canvas, traditional frame, or float frame. If you're standing there thinking, "Wait, which one do I actually want?"—you're not alone. This is one of the most common questions we get.

Let's break it down.

Your Three Options Explained

Option 1: Unframed Canvas

Gallery-wrapped canvas stretched over wooden bars, finished edges, ready to hang.

Choose this if:

• • You want to keep costs down

  • You love minimalist, modern aesthetics

  • You're planning to add your own frame later

  • You're creating a mixed gallery wall
    

Option 2: Traditional Frame

Frame wraps around the front with a slight lip overlap—the classic framing you know.

Choose this if:

• • You want a polished, finished look instantly

  • Your style is traditional, farmhouse, or transitional

  • You're hanging in formal spaces (dining room, office, entryway)

  • You want clear boundaries around your artwork

Option 3: Float Frame

Attaches from behind, creating a gap so your canvas appears to "float" inside the frame.

Choose this if:

• • You want contemporary, museum-quality presentation

  • You love the dimensional "wow factor"

  • Your decor is modern, minimalist, or Scandinavian

  • You want to showcase the full canvas including edges

Good news: At Twelveen, they’re the same price! Pick the perfect look for your home without worrying about the cost.

Styling Your Portrait for Every Space (But Really, There Are No Rules)

Here's the truth: there's no "wrong" way to frame your custom portrait. The best framing choice is the one that makes you happy when you see it every day. That said, if you're looking for some gentle guidance on what tends to work well in different spaces, here are some ideas to spark your creativity.

Match Your Existing Furniture & Finishes

Bedrooms: Let your bed frame and nightstands guide you. Light wood furniture? Try unframed canvas or natural wood frames. Dark wood set? Black or rich walnut frames create harmony.

Dining Rooms: Echo your table and chairs. If you have a classic wooden dining set, traditional frames in similar tones feel cohesive. Modern glass table? Float frames in metal or black wood might be your vibe.

Living Rooms: Consider your coffee table, media console, or bookshelf materials. But honestly? If you love the look, mix it up. Matching isn't mandatory.

Consider Your Hardware & Fixtures

Kitchens: Got stainless steel appliances? Metal frames or black/white finishes complement that modern aesthetic. Warm brass fixtures? Natural wood or metallic gold frames echo that warmth.

Bathrooms: Match (or intentionally contrast) with your faucets, towel bars, and cabinet hardware. All chrome fixtures? Silver or white frames create a clean look. Matte black hardware? Black frames complete the modern vibe.

But remember: Your bathroom is personal space. If you want a pop of unexpected color, go for it.

Play With Wall Colors & Trim

Light walls (white, cream, beige): Black frames create classic contrast. White frames offer subtle sophistication. Natural wood adds warmth. All three work beautifully—it just depends on the mood you want.

Dark walls (navy, charcoal, forest green): White or light wood frames make your portrait pop. But dark-on-dark can also look moody and intentional if that's your aesthetic.

Colored walls: Pull a color from your portrait or room decor for your frame. Or go neutral and let the wall color be the statement.

Wood trim: Coordinate with similar wood tones, or deliberately contrast for interest. There's genuinely no wrong approach here.

Think About Room Purpose & Energy

Nurseries & Kids' Rooms: This is where you can have fun! Traditional white frames feel sweet and timeless. Bright natural wood brings warmth. But you could also go bold with colorful frames if that matches your nursery theme. The key is creating a space your child will love growing up in.

Formal Spaces (Home Office, Study, Formal Dining): Traditional frames often suit these spaces because they convey polish and intention. But if your office is modern and minimalist, float frames might feel more authentic to your style.

Casual Spaces (Family Room, Breakfast Nook, Mudroom): Unframed canvas or simple frames work well here. These are lived-in spaces where "perfectly matched" matters less than "feels like home."

Personal Retreats (Master Bedroom, Reading Nook, Bathroom): Choose whatever makes you feel peaceful and happy. This is your sanctuary—your rules.

The Honest Truth About DIY Framing

Order unframed, frame later:

• • ✓ Lowest upfront cost

  • ✗ Need to measure and shop

  • ✗ Custom framing costs $100-300+

  • ✗ Takes time and effort

  • ✗ Might sit unframed longer than planned

Order framed canvas portrait from Twelveen:

• • ✓ Arrives ready to hang same day

  • ✓ Professional mounting guaranteed

  • ✓ No additional costs or shopping

  • ✓ Instant gratification

About 70% of customers order framed and are glad they did.

Still Deciding? Ask Yourself:

1. Where will it hang? 

2. What's your design aesthetic? 

3. How much visual impact? 

4. Want it done now or DIY later?