How To Make A Canvas Floating Frame
Build an easy canvas floating frame for your next masterpiece with this simple step-by-step tutorial!
So last week, I shared a DIY tutorial on how to create white textured abstract art. Well I’m back with part two of this project – the canvas floating frame. This is the part that makes this finally art piece all come together and look like more similar to my inspiration piece.
This little canvas floating frame was so easy and actually pretty fun to build. It’s been awhile since I’ve been out in the garage building. And this little DIY build helped remind me why I love making things myself. 🙂
So even though this floating frame may look a little complicated, I totally promise you – it’s not! You know I like to keep all my my projects as simple as possible. And as always if you have any questions, leave a comment or email me – I’m glad to help!
Here’s what you will need for this project (for a 20 x 20″ canvas):
– (1) 1 x 2 x 8 pine board (sides of frame)
– (4) 1/2 x 2 x 2 poplar boards (back of frame supports)
– miter saw (could do it with a miter saw kit as well)
– tape measuree
– wood glue or liquid nails
– nail gun with 1.25″ 18 gauge nails (probably any from 1-2″ will work)
– square
– finishing nails
– wood stain (driftwood)
Here are the steps on how to make a canvas floating frame:
1 / Design and Measure
So the first thing is to decide on how much of a gap you want around your canvas. I thought an 1/8″ gap would be just about perfect for the look I wanted. So I added 1/4″ total to the length, plus the thickness of two boards (3/4″ x 2) to get my measurements.
So for example, my canvas is 20 x 20, so I cut my boards at 21 3/4″ (measuring from outside to outside).
2 / Cut Your Wood
So I used my miter saw to cut all my frame edges at 45 degree angles. Of course you don’t have to miter the edges, but I think doing so gives the frame a more professionally made and expensive look. Just my opinion!
3 / Build the Outer Frame
Once I had all four sides cut, I sanded down any rough/jagged edges from the cuts. Don’t skip the sanding! It will help you get that perfect fitting corner! 🙂
Now the sanding is done, and it’s time to assemble the frame. Unfortunately, the wood glue I thought I had available for this product was all dried up. I guess it really has been awhile since I built anything! 😉 So I looked around the garage and found some liquid nails. It works but I would really recommend wood glue.
I dabbed some glue on the inside corners and then nailed them together (with the nail gun) using a square to make sure they were as square as possible. There’s two nails per each corner.
4 / Cut the Back Frame
Now that I had the outer frame built it was time to make the back supports to place the canvas on. I’ve seen this step done many different ways. But this method just seemed the most logical and easiest for me. 🙂
Using the 1/2″ poplar boards, I cut two of them to 20 1/2″ long and attached them to the frame with glue and nails. Then I measured the last two sides and that came out to around 17 1/4″ inches long. Then I attached those as well.
The picture below (showing the back of the frame) helps to explain this step a little better – hopefully! Remember that rule, measure twice – cut once. Definitely do that here just in case your frame isn’t exactly square.
5 / Stain the Wood
You can always do this step before assembling the frame, but I saved it for the almost last step. I used a light touch of the color Driftwood and then left it to dry overnight.
6 / Mount the Canvas
You can do this two ways, with the nail gun or finishing nails. I went with some finishing nails hammered carefully into the back of the frame into the canvas frame to secure everything. And here’s the finished look…
I think the frame really helped the art look complete and gave the whole piece some much needed contrast. 🙂 And now I have some pretty fun abstract art for my home.
If you have any questions on the steps, be sure to leave me a comment below. And don’t forget to PIN this tutorial so you can easily find it later!
