If you've found a coastal print you love, the next question is always the same: what frame do I put it in? It sounds simple, but the frame makes a bigger difference than most people expect. I've had customers order the same print in different frames and they look like completely different pieces of art. So let me walk you through what actually works, and what to think about before you buy.
The Most Popular Choice: Classic Framed Prints
The classic frame is my most popular option, and for good reason. It's a solid plantation timber frame with 2mm clear glass, printed on 250gsm art paper using giclee archival inks, and it comes with a 10-year warranty. It's a proper, ready-to-hang piece of art, not some flimsy department store effort.
You can get it in black, white or oak. Black tends to suit bold, high-contrast coastal shots. Oak looks great with warmer tones and timber-heavy interiors. White works almost anywhere, especially in light-filled coastal homes or holiday houses.
If you're after framed beach prints Australia-wide, the classic frame is where most people start. It's solid, it looks great, and it's priced honestly. Something like my Bells Beach Art Print I in a classic black frame looks sharp in a living room or hallway.
No Glass? Try a Floating Frame Canvas
If your room gets a lot of natural light, glass can be a problem. You end up with reflections instead of art. That's where the floating frame canvas comes in.
It uses museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas, with no glass at all. The canvas floats inside a solid timber frame, which gives it a slightly three-dimensional look. The colours come through with zero glare, which is genuinely one of the best ways to display coastal photography in bright rooms.
I've had customers tell me it becomes the centrepiece of their living area. For a colourful aerial shot like my Point Addis Art Print I, the canvas format lets every detail breathe. It also comes with D rings and braided polymer hanging cable so it's proper gallery-grade hardware out of the box.
If you want a deeper read on why canvas works so well, I wrote a whole post about it here: Framed Canvas Prints Australia: Why a Floating Frame Canvas Might Be the Best Thing You Put on Your Wall.
Want Something a Bit More Special? The Shadow Box
The shadow box frame is a step up. The glass sits 20mm off the print, which creates a subtle floating shadow effect around the image. It gives the art a gallery feel without needing to go full museum fit-out.
The standard shadow box uses 270gsm fine art paper and 2mm clear glass. It looks great in most rooms and is a popular upgrade for people who want their framed coastal wall art to feel a bit more intentional.
If your space gets a lot of direct light or glare from windows, the premium shadow box is worth serious consideration. It uses 308gsm Hahnemuhle Rag Mount Smooth fine art paper, 11-colour giclee archival inks, and Tru Vue Museum Glass with 99% UV protection that virtually eliminates reflections. The glass is 2.5mm thick and the print quality is genuinely the best I offer. I wrote a full breakdown of whether it's worth the upgrade here: Tru Vue Museum Glass: Is the Premium Shadow Box Frame Worth It for Coastal Wall Art?
Already Have a Frame? Go Unframed
If you've got a frame you love at home, or you want to match a set of existing frames on your gallery wall, just go unframed. I print on 250gsm premium matte art paper using giclee archival inks, and I roll and ship it in a protective tube. Easy.
All prints use archival materials designed not to fade or yellow over time. That applies to every format, framed or not.
Bring a Beach You Actually Love Onto Your Wall
Picking a frame is easier once you know which print you're starting with. Whether it's a favourite beach you grew up visiting, a spot from a holiday you keep thinking about, or a print for a coastal Airbnb you want guests to recognise the moment they walk in, the right combination of print and frame makes it feel like a proper piece of art rather than just something to fill a wall.
My framed beach prints start from $89, come with free shipping anywhere in Australia, and are printed and shipped from Victoria. Every print is made to order and shot by me personally at the real location. No stock images, no shortcuts.
Browse the full range at Point Roadknight Art Print II or explore by location to find a print that means something to you.
FAQ
What is the best frame type for framed beach prints in Australia?
The classic frame is the most popular choice for framed coastal wall art in Australia. It's a solid FSC certified timber frame with archival glass and a 10-year warranty. If your room has a lot of natural light, a floating frame canvas avoids reflections entirely since it has no glass at all.
What is the difference between a shadow box frame and a classic frame?
In a shadow box frame, the glass sits 20mm off the print rather than directly against it, creating a subtle floating effect that makes the artwork look more three-dimensional. A classic frame has glass sitting flat against the print and is the most popular and affordable framed option.
Is the premium shadow box with Tru Vue glass worth it for coastal wall art?
The premium shadow box is worth it if your space gets strong direct light or glare from windows. It uses Tru Vue Museum Glass with 99% UV protection that virtually eliminates reflections, and it also comes with the best paper and ink combination I offer. For most rooms, the standard shadow box or classic frame does the job beautifully.
Do framed beach prints come with free shipping in Australia?
Yes, all Local Breaks prints ship free anywhere in Australia. They're printed to order and shipped from Victoria in sturdy packaging. There's no pickup option and I don't offer international shipping at this stage.
