Affordable Hallway Wall Decor: DIY Oversized Matted Frames

Looking for affordable hallway wall decor inspiration?

Long, narrow hallways are often overlooked, making them feeling empty, cold, or uninspiring.

Decorating them can feel intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be!

While traditional solutions like molding or wallpaper can be expensive, there’s an easy, budget-friendly way to bring elegance to your hallway wall decor—large matted frames.

This interior design hallway trick mimics the look of high-end, custom framing at a fraction of the cost.

If you’ve ever admired large picture frame ideas but found them out of budget, you’ll love this simple DIY solution!

Disclosure: Affiliate links are used in this post, at no cost to you.

Why Hallway Wall Decor is Essential

A narrow hallway decorating plan is often overlooked, but a well-designed hall can set the tone for your entire home.

The walls of a long hallway are prime real estate for home design decor, and incorporating big picture frame ideas ensures the space doesn’t feel forgotten.

Instead of small, scattered frames, using big frames on a wall creates a curated, gallery-like effect that enhances the flow of your space.

Large matted frames are very on trend right now – you see them in popular stores like Pottery Barn, Crate & Barrel, CB2, and West Elm.

But the price tags?

Not so affordable – especially when you’re trying to decorate a long hallway and need multiple frames.

The good news is you can achieve that high-end look from your favorite homes stores at just a fraction of the price.

Why Large Matted Frames are the Perfect Solution to Hallway Wall Decor

When I was working on a recent design project for a client’s basement, I faced a long hallway that led into their family’s entertainment area.

I immediately saw an opportunity to turn that often-overlooked space into something special.

As a gathering spot for family and friends, I wanted the hallway to feel welcoming and personal—but also polished and elegant.

Rather than simply filling the wall with generic artwork, I knew it was the perfect place to showcase meaningful family photos in a hallway design that reflects personal style.

The key was to elevate the look without overwhelming the space.

Many designers tend to opt for art over family portraits, but I believe family photos have a rightful place in home design.

It’s all about the presentation.

That’s why I always love using oversized frames paired with large mats.

This technique allows the photos to shine, giving the space a gallery-like feel that’s refined but not too cluttered.

The oversized mats frame the photos beautifully, keeping the focus tasteful and allowing each image to tell its story without taking over the entire wall.

The Secret to an Affordable Oversized Mat Frame

Large frames with custom mats can cost hundreds of dollars, but I’ve found a way to achieve the same high-end look for a whole lot less!

Here’s how:

1. Find the Perfect Frames

I’ve sourced large scale budget-friendly frames that come in honey, black, white, and gray to match any hallway design aesthetic.

These 24×36 inch frames create a stunning visual impact in your hallway without overwhelming the space.

You can purchase these frames individually or in a set of six.

While prices vary slightly based on the finish, a set of six typically costs around $100 and individually around $20 a piece {because they’re always on sale ;)}.

These frames use lightweight acrylic instead of heavy glass, making them easier to hang without worrying about excessive weight on your walls.

Set of Six

Individual

2. Choose and Position Your Photos Thoughtfully

The key to creating a cohesive and polished hallway gallery is selecting photos that feel intentional and unified.

Whether you choose candid moments, professional portraits, or a mix of both, the most important design decision is to keep them all in the same orientation—either all portrait or all landscape.

This consistency prevents the display from feeling random or disjointed and allows the large framed photos to flow seamlessly down the hallway.

For size, I recommend using 8×10 or 11×14 photos to maintain a balanced proportion within the oversized mat frames.

This ensures your images stand out without overwhelming the space.

Another tip for a timeless, sophisticated look is to print your photos in black and white.

By removing color, you eliminate any potential clashes with your home’s color palette, allowing the focus to stay on the composition and emotions captured in the photos.

Black and white photography also brings a classic feel that never goes out of style.

Lastly, consider the finish of your prints.

While this is a personal preference, I recommend a matte finish over glossy to reduce glare and enhance the soft, elevated look of the display.

With these thoughtful choices, your hallway wall decor will feel curated, intentional, and effortlessly stylish.

3. Customize the Mat for a High-End Look

Once you’ve chosen your frames and selected the perfect photos, the next step is to customize the mat to achieve that elevated, high-end aesthetic.

To do this, take your photo and frame to a local frame shop—I personally went to Michael’s for this project, but any framing shop will be able to assist.

Request a large custom-cut mat with an opening in your chosen size.

For a big photo frame of 24×36-inch, I recommend using an 8×10 or 11×14 opening to create that luxe, oversized mat look.

One of the biggest advantages of this approach is that the oversized mat creates the illusion of a grand, custom piece while keeping your DIY large picture frame project affordable.

At the time of this post, the cost of the standard mat was about $20 per piece, making it an incredibly budget-friendly way to achieve a designer look.

For an even more elevated aesthetic, I like to offset the photo rather than centering it.

For example, if you’re using an 11×14 photo in a portrait orientation, you can create a 6⅝-inch border on the sides and top, leaving more white space at the bottom—creating a look that is perfect for large framed photos.

This asymmetrical matting technique adds visual interest and makes your artwork feel more intentionally designed—just like something you’d find in a luxury home store.

How to Arrange Frames for Your Hallway Wall Decor

When it comes to hallway wall decor, how you arrange your frames is just as important as the frames themselves.

A well-planned arrangement brings balance, cohesion, and a high-end aesthetic to your hallway wall decor, while a poorly executed layout can feel disjointed or cluttered.

Here’s how to ensure your long hallway decorating looks intentional and polished.

Spacing: Keep It Consistent

The key to a professional-looking gallery wall is even spacing.

Aim to keep each frame an equal distance apart—typically 2 to 4 inches—so the arrangement feels balanced and cohesive.

In some cases, you may need to cheat the spacing slightly at the beginning or end of the hallway to ensure everything fits well within the space, but in the middle, consistency is non-negotiable.

Uneven spacing can make even the best hallway designs look unpolished, so use a measuring tape and a level to get it just right.

Symmetry: The Key to a Polished Hallway Design

One of the biggest mistakes I see in hallway designs is hanging artwork too high.

This instantly makes a space feel disconnected and unbalanced.

To avoid this common pitfall, make sure the  photo in each frame is at eye level—typically 62 to 64 inches from the floor.

If frames are hung too high, they can appear floating and disjointed, making your hallway decor feel like an afterthought rather than a well-designed feature.

Keeping frames at a natural viewing height ensures they feel anchored to the space and create a more visually appealing, polished look.

For maximum impact, hang frames in a straight line with equal spacing between each one.

This structured approach enhances the clean design aesthetic while ensuring your narrow hallway decorating feels elevated and intentional.

Consistency: Stick to a Uniform Look

To create a hallway that feels thoughtfully designed, stick with one frame color and a single mat style throughout your layout.

This uniformity is what makes designer spaces feel cohesive and beautiful rather than mismatched or chaotic.

The good news?

The large matted frames I’ve sourced come in a variety of finishes—honey, black, white, and gray wash—so you can select the one that best suits your home decor design best.

Whether your style leans modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, maintaining a consistent color scheme will keep your hallway ideas feeling sophisticated and intentional.

Final thoughts on using these DIY oversized matted frames for your hallway wall decor…

Whether you’re updating a small hallway, tackling a narrow hallway design, or upgrading the end of your hallway with one large DIY large picture frame, this idea will instantly elevate your space.

By incorporating oversized frames with large mats, you can create a stunning gallery effect that looks custom-made but costs a fraction of the price.

The beauty of this technique is in its understated elegance, giving your hallway a high-end look without the high-end price tag.

It’s an easy way to showcase your favorite family moments while still maintaining a sophisticated, polished feel.

Ready to give your hallway a designer-worthy makeover?

Start by choosing your favorite photos, grab some budget-friendly large frames, and create a stylish custom look that brings a personal touch to your home—without compromising on style.

Warmth is in the details,