Simple Modern Picture Frame Blocks

No mitered corners necessary to make these fun picture holders.

I knew I was saving all those small scraps of wood for a reason…

To turn them into these fun & simple picture frames!

Maybe frame is the wrong word, because the wood does not frame the photo. But instead it creates a block to hold the picture safely between two pieces of acrylic or plexiglass.

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These frames are so fast to make, use up lots of scraps, and make great DIY gift ideas!

White console table filled with pictures held up by wood block frames with plants in the back.

The best part about these DIY picture frames is all the different ways you can make them. Get creative and have fun!

Use whatever scraps you have. I recommend hardwood boards since they are heavy and less likely to splinter or crack.

Plus the hardwood will look amazing with just a little bit of sealer on the finished picture frame blocks.

Close up of the picture frame blocks holding individual pictures.

I recommend sticking to regular printed picture sizes (ie, 4×6, 5×7, etc). This makes it easy to change out pictures in your frame.

And you can buy pre-cut plexi sheets in a pack. Then it’s just as easy as cutting out your blocks in different ways.

You can cut the blocks to be just larger than the acrylic, either vertical or horizontal, and it will hold one picture.

Artistic view of the picture frame holding 3 different photos in two rows.

Or you can cut a long block of wood with multiple grooves to hold a variety of pictures in any orientation.

This one was perfect for holding some of our wedding photos and a more recent picture.

Picture frame made from a block of wood with grooves in it holding 3 different pictures in acrylic sheets.

Or have fun and cut the blocks on a diagonal.

This creates a unique frame around the bottom of the picture.

Block of wood cut on a diagonal holding a picture behind plexiglass in it next to a plant.

DIY Gift Ideas

Picture frames always make amazing DIY gifts! And you can add photos of you together to make it extra special.

This week my friend Shara, from Woodshop Diaries, and I have shared easy DIY gift ideas every day! That is 10 new handmade gifts you can use for anyone on your list.

Check out all the new ideas below or check out these 50+ handmade gift ideas.

Wood DIY cookbook stand with a black bar to hold the cookbook open in the front. — Easy Folding Cookbook Holder

Scrap wood drink coasters from Woodshop Diaries. — DIY Scrap Wood Drink Coasters

Two wooden toy totes, one that looks like a dollhouse and the other that looks like a barn. — Dollhouse and Toy Barn Totes

Tea and mug holder from Woodshop Diaries. — Tea Organizer Box with Mugs

10x14 edge grain cutting board made from walnut, cherry and maple 1x2 boards with a chef's knife sitting on top of it. — Easy Beginner Cutting Board DIY

Two tone cutting board by Woodshop Diaries. — DIY Wooden Charcuterie Board

DIY Mölkky game in a carrier on the grass. — DIY Mölkky Game with Carrier

DIY plant stand from Woodshop Diaries. — DIY Plant Stand End Table

Five different modern picture frame blocks holding pictures between plexiglass sheets on a console table. — Simple Modern Picture Frame Blocks

Simpe wood box for centerpiece from Woodshop Diaries. — Simple DIY Wood Box for Table

How to Make a Simple Picture Holder

Tools needed:

Miter saw
- I recently upgraded to this larger sliding miter saw (watch for it to go on sale), but all my projects before were built with this inexpensive miter saw that I loved.
Table saw
- You could also use a router or circular saw to cut the grooves.
Measuring tape
Sander

Supplies:

Scraps of wood in various sizes
0.08″ thick acrylic sheets
- I bought these already in the 4×6 size so I didn’t have to cut them.
Sealer

STEP 1- Find and cut your wood blocks

You can make your picture holders out of any wood species and size you want.

I made my picture frames out of the following:

1×2 board (actual size is 3/4″ x 1 1/2″)
2×2 boards (actual size is 1 1/2″ x 1 1/2″)
2×3 boards (actual size is 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″) for the angled one
1″ x 2 1/4″ board for the long one (you could use a 2×3 or 1×3)

For individual picture blocks, cut the length of the board to 1/2″ wider than the plexi or acrylic sheet.

For a multiple picture block, you can cut it as long as you want. Mine is 16″ and is holding three 4×6 photos.

STEP 2- Cut the groove

Set your table saw so the blade is 1/2″ deep.

Set the fence so the blade is roughly in the center of the block.

Don’t worry if it isn’t perfectly centered, some of mine are a bit more off and I just used the thicker side as the front.

Setting a table saw blade depth and thickness.

Run the block through the saw.

Be careful and use a push stick, small blocks can be dangerous on the table saw!

Running a block of wood through the saw only cutting part of the way through.

Slide the fence over so that it is barely 1 blade saw width (kerf) away from the original cut.

I used the block on to help me see where the first cut was when adjusting my blade.

Adjusting the table saw blade so it is slightly to the side of the first cut.

Run the block through the saw again.

Running the block though the saw again to get a bigger groove.

Check the size of your groove by placing 2 piece of plexi into it. It should fit snug, but not tight.

Remember you need to also fit a picture in between them too (and they have a coating on them that you will remove)

If the groove is too small, adjust the blade slightly and run the board through again. Repeat until they fit!

Checking to see if the acrylic fits into the grooves in the wood.

To cut the multi picture block

Divide the width of the board by thirds to get a starting point for how far away you want your fence from the blade.

Run the board through the saw to cut the first groove, then rotate it and run the opposite side through.

Adjust the fence so it is a kerf away from the original blade and run them through again. Check and repeat as needed.

Running a wider block through the table saw to cut grooves on both sides.

To cut the angled block

Set the table saw blade to be only 1/2″ shorter than the full width of the block. My 2×3 block is 2 1/2″ wide so I set the blade to 2″.

Cut the groove the same as the others.

Setting the table saw blade higher and running a taller block through it.

Draw a line from the top corner to the bottom of the groove on the other side.

Or you can play around with the angle and size of the diagonal. It is up to you.

Drawing a diagonal line on the top of the block.

Cut the block off at that line.

I used my miter saw and set the blade to mimic the angle I drew.

Since the block is so small, I used a scrap of wood to safely hold the board so my fingers were fare from the blade.

EXPERT TIP:
Make sure to let the blade come to a complete stop before lifting it back up. This will prevent your cut piece from getting flung away from the blade.