DIY TV Frame: Make Your TV Look Like Art
When I bought my first house, I was beyond proud. Buying a home is no small feat, and this one felt like the house for me. (I’ll save the full story for another day—unless you’re actually interested? Let me know!) Long story short, it was a labor of love, and Billy knew just how much this house meant to me.
So, as a housewarming gift, he completely surprised me with the Samsung Frame TV—something I had wanted for years but could never justify splurging on. Normally, Billy wouldn’t either, but after finding a Black Friday deal, he figured it was worth it. And let me tell you—I was overjoyed.
But here’s the catch: the frames for these TVs are ridiculously expensive. The basic Samsung bezel is $250, and custom Etsy frames? Just as pricey, if not more. We weren’t about to drop that kind of cash, so we decided to make our own.
How We DIY’d a Custom Frame for Our TV
Step 1: Choosing the Right Materials
I figured the easiest way to build the frame was by using trim or picture frame moulding—something that already had the look and width we wanted. So off to Lowe’s we went!
After scouring the options, we landed on a beautiful chair rail moulding ($23 for an 8-ft piece). We also grabbed some corner brackets to reinforce the frame and headed home to get to work.
Step 2: Building the Frame
The assembly itself was pretty simple:
✅ We cut the moulding to match the dimensions of the TV.
✅ Used a brad nailer and wood glue to assemble it.
✅ Added corner brackets for extra strength.
We were feeling pretty proud at this point… until we realized we had no idea how to actually attach the frame to the TV.
Step 3: Figuring Out How to Attach It
Cue another trip to the hardware store (because every DIY needs at least one unexpected supply run).
Billy had the genius idea to use square dowels ($2 each) to create a small “shelf” on the back of the frame. I was skeptical, but once we attached them, it fit perfectly on the TV. No extra hardware, no drilling—just a snug fit right over the screen.
Step 4: The Perfect Aged Gold Finish
I originally planned to paint the frame gold, so I grabbed some acrylic paint and got to work. Big mistake. It turned out way too shiny and new-looking—not the antique vibe I wanted.
So, back to the craft store I went. This time, I picked up:
🎨 Brown acrylic paint (to add depth and aging)
✨ Gold Rub ‘n Buff (to give it that perfect, aged sheen)
I used a fine-tip brush to work the brown paint into the details of the frame, making it look naturally aged. Then, with a very light hand, I went over the raised edges with the Gold Rub ‘n Buff to highlight them. And just like that—perfection.
Step 5: Adding the Final Touch
Even with the antique finish, something still felt like it was missing. And then it hit me: a picture light would be the cherry on top!
Once I added it, the whole setup looked even more like a real framed piece of art. Now, when guests come over, they can’t believe it’s actually a TV!
This picture was taken around Halloween; check out the Etsy shop AntiqueWhiteArt for some cute downloadable ghost art!
Would You Try This DIY?
We loved this project so much that we’re already planning to do it again in the new house—but this time, on a regular flat-screen TV instead of a Frame TV. Stay tuned to see how it turns out!
In the meantime, tell me—would you ever DIY a frame for your TV? Let me know in the comments!
