An old picture frame and a few leftover plywood strips—that’s all it took to get this DIY started. If you’ve ever wondered how to upcycle picture frames into something useful, this faux shiplap makeover is an easy way to create farmhouse wall decor you can style year-round. My frame almost landed in the garage-sale pile, but my scrap-wood stash came through again. And Mr. Honey Do wonders why I save everything!
Updated October 2026 with fresh styling images and helpful tips for turning an old picture frame into DIY farmhouse decor.
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Gather Your Supplies
Here is a list of the items I used to create this upcycled picture frame with a shiplap look.
• Large wood picture frame
• ¼-inch plywood cut into strips (mine were 6 inches wide)
• Tape measure
• Speed square and pencil
• Saw for cutting the plywood to fit
• Orbital sander and 220-grit sandpaper
• Stain-blocking primer (I used BOSS)
• White paint (I used Fluff chalk mineral paint)
• Black paint for the plywood edges (I used Caviar)
• Paintbrushes
• Pneumatic nail gun and appropriately sized brad nails
How To Upcycle Picture Frames With A Shiplap Look
This old picture frame had been sitting in my garage stash for a while and was almost going to the garage sale pile. Then I remembered the leftover plywood strips from my faux shiplap wall project. A little cutting, sanding, and paint would turn those scraps into a backing for the frame. See? There’s a reason I hang on to this stuff!
Step 1: Measure and Cut the Plywood Backing
Measure the recessed opening on the back of your picture frame where the original picture or glass sat. Cut your ¼-inch plywood strips to fit within that opening.
Lay the strips inside the frame before attaching anything. Leave a small, consistent gap between each board to create the faux shiplap look. Check the spacing as you go—you may need to trim the width of the last strip to fit.
If you don’t have a way to cut a full sheet of plywood into strips, ask your home improvement store about its cutting service. Then cut the strips to the lengths needed for your frame.
Step 2: Sand the Plywood Strips
Sand the plywood strips with 220-grit sandpaper to smooth the faces and rough cut edges. I used my orbital sander on the flat surfaces and lightly sanded the edges by hand.
Wipe away the sanding dust before priming and painting. And if you have a cute helper like mine, consider that a bonus!
Step 3: Prime the Plywood
Before painting the plywood white, apply a stain-blocking primer to help prevent wood tannins or discoloration from bleeding through the finish. I used BOSS for this project.
Follow your primer’s label instructions for coverage and drying time before applying paint. A little prep now can save you from chasing yellow spots later!
Once the primer is dry, paint the front of each plywood strip white or another color that works with your decor. I used Fluff chalk mineral paint. One coat covered mine over the white primer, but apply additional coats if needed, following the paint’s drying instructions.
I painted the edges along the gaps with Caviar black paint to give the faux shiplap lines more definition. Keep the black paint off the white faces for a clean finish, and let everything dry before assembling.
Step 5: Attach the Plywood to the Frame
Place the frame face down on a clean, soft surface to protect the finish. Arrange the painted plywood strips in the recessed opening, keeping the gaps evenly spaced.
I used a pneumatic nail gun to secure the strips to the frame. Choose fasteners long enough to hold the plywood securely without poking through the front, and position them so they enter the wood frame.
Once the strips are attached, turn the frame over and check that each board is secure. Now comes the fun part—styling it!
The Finished Shiplap Picture Frame
Here’s a more recent look at the same framed shiplap. I painted the backing olive green and styled it with an olive leaf wreath for a warmer, moodier look. That’s what I love about this project—a fresh paint color and a different wreath give it a whole new feel without starting over. Another reason to keep those old frames!
Before you pass up an old wood frame at a thrift store—or send one to the garage sale pile—think about what a few plywood scraps could do. Keep the backing neutral, try a moody paint color, or swap out the wreath with the seasons. There’s plenty of room to make it your own.
Got an old frame waiting for its second chance? Save this 📌 idea to Pinterest so you can find the tutorial when you’re ready to give it a makeover.
What would you display on your framed shiplap? Leave me a comment below. You know I’m always looking for an excuse to make something else!
Until the next project… xo, Do
More DIY Home Decor Projects
If you love giving old finds and leftover scraps a second chance, here are a few more DIY home decor projects to try.
Love this interchangeable idea Do! Brilliant. 🙂
Thanks, Denise! We shall see… 🙂
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Hi, Raquel! You can sign up for my email list by subscribing to any of my free instructional videos on my blog. So glad you found me. I share all my DIY projects weekly. 🙂 xo
I love this idea! It will help me make some terrific Christmas presents! I’m also an author and can use this idea to dress up my table at book signings! Thanks.
That’s a great idea, Stacey! Please share a link to your book. I love a good read. xo, Do
I love this but was wondering, if you had a more colorful painting, would you still do the neutral background or take a color out of the painting, like you would with matboard.
Hi Jan! Great question. For me, I would leave it neutral so I can change out my art. If you’re looking for a more permanent look, by all means, use a complimentary color.
Happy painting… xo, Do 🙂
Good day! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be ok. I’m definitely enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.|
Such a great idea! Thanks for such a thorough tutorial with beautiful pictures and many different ideas.
You’re welcome! 🙂
Thank you for sharing this! I had the same idea with a frame that I have tried to sell, but wasn’t sure how to make it happen. I will have to pin this for when I get around to project time.
I love this idea. You are brilliant!
LOL, not hardly but thanks. 🙂 xo
Ms. Do, I just love your ideas and videos on how to bring them together and look so amazing 💕
Thank you, Tammie. Always good to hear from you. Hope all is well. 🙂
I have a small picture frame that was just not selling (7×8). I thought about shiplap but the lip wasn’t very deep. I finally got the idea to cut a yard stick as they are thin. They could be cut with an exacto knife. It worked perfectly. The backing still fit in the grooves (with a little shaving and a couple pounds with a hammer). Now I just have to think of what to display on it. Suggestions!!!!
Great idea, Kathy! I’ll have to try that. I have a lot of old large paint sticks that I’ve been hanging on to. Now you have me thinking. 🙂 xo