Why a Floating Frame Canvas Might Be the Best Thing You Put on Your Wall
I get asked about framing options a lot. And honestly, it makes sense. You've found a print you love, and the last thing you want to do is ruin it with the wrong frame. But here's the thing: once people see a floating frame canvas in person, most of them wonder why they ever considered anything else.
Let me break down what makes this format so good, and help you figure out whether it's the right fit for your space.
What Actually Is a Floating Frame Canvas?
A floating frame canvas, sometimes called a shadow box canvas or framed canvas print, is exactly what it sounds like. The image is printed onto a premium stretched canvas, and then set inside a solid timber frame with a small gap between the canvas edge and the frame itself. That gap is what gives it the "floating" look.
At Local Breaks, my floating frame canvases use museum quality 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre stretched canvas. That's a big deal. It's not the cheap polyester stuff you see at discount homewares stores. The ink is giclee archival quality, meaning it's built to last without fading or yellowing over time. The frames are solid sustainably sourced plantation timber, FSC certified, and available in black, white or oak.
One more thing worth knowing: there's no glass. That's intentional. In rooms with lots of natural light, glass creates reflections and glare that wash out the image. Without glass, the colours stay true, the detail stays sharp, and you can enjoy the print from any angle.
Where Does It Work Best?
The no-glass format makes floating frame canvases a natural fit for bright rooms. Sunny living areas, sunrooms, open-plan spaces, anywhere with big windows. If you've ever had a framed print that looked amazing in the shop but turned into a mirror on your wall at home, you'll appreciate the difference.
It also works really well as a statement piece. Something large on a feature wall. Customers often tell me their canvas has become the centrepiece of their main living area, and I think that's because the slightly raised, frameless look gives it a gallery quality feel without feeling pretentious about it.
If you're after something for a hallway, bedroom, or home office, floating frame canvases work there too. One customer told me their large canvas fits perfectly in their hallway and gives off the best chill coastal vibes. Hard to argue with that.
Which Prints Work Well as Floating Frame Canvases?
Honestly, most of my prints look great in this format, but I'd especially point you toward shots with big colour payoff and open compositions.
The Point Addis Art Print I is my top selling print, and for good reason. Shot from above with my drone on a still day, it captures the full sweep of the beach in a way that really opens up on canvas at a large size. If you've got a feature wall that needs a centrepiece, this is one I'd strongly recommend in a floating frame.
The Bells Beach Art Print I is another one that really comes alive on canvas. That aerial perspective and the deep blues translate beautifully without glass in the way.
And if you're after something from Queensland, the Rainbow Bay Art Print I has been selling really well. The colour in that shot is genuinely something a floating canvas handles better than anything with glass over the top.
What About Size?
This is where a lot of people get stuck. My rule of thumb: go bigger than you think. Most people underestimate how small something looks on a wall once it's up there. For a feature wall, I'd suggest at minimum an L (59.4x84.1cm), and if you've got the wall space, the XL (84.1x118.9cm) or EPIC (100x150cm, that's 1.5m wide) will genuinely stop people in their tracks.
If you want help working out what size suits your space, check out my size guide or have a look at the practical guide to choosing wall art size for each room.
Bring the Coast Home
Every print I sell is one I've shot personally at a beach I actually know. No stock images, no guesswork. When you put a floating frame canvas on your wall, you're getting a real photo of a real place, printed to a quality that's built to last, and shipped free anywhere in Australia.
If you're ready to find your print, head to the Point Addis Art Print I or browse all the floating frame canvas options from the product pages. Prints start from $89, and every order is printed to order right here in Victoria.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a floating frame canvas print?
A floating frame canvas print is a stretched canvas that sits inside a solid timber frame with a visible gap between the canvas and the frame edge, giving the image a "floating" appearance. There is no glass over the front, which means no reflections or glare. At Local Breaks, the canvas is 400gsm Hahnemuhle Daguerre and the frames are FSC certified plantation timber.
Are framed canvas prints better than framed paper prints?
They suit different spaces and preferences. Canvas with no glass is ideal for bright, sunny rooms where glass would create glare. Paper prints with a glass frame work well in lower-light spaces or where you want a more traditional look. Both use archival inks and are built to last. If you're unsure, the framed vs unframed guide covers this in more detail.
Do floating frame canvases come ready to hang?
Yes. Every floating frame canvas from Local Breaks arrives with D rings and braided polymer hanging cable already attached. You don't need to buy anything else. Just put a nail in the wall and hang it.
What size floating frame canvas should I get for a living room feature wall?
For a living room feature wall, I'd recommend an L (59.4x84.1cm) as a minimum, and an XL (84.1x118.9cm) or EPIC (100x150cm) if you've got the space. Most people go too small and wish they'd sized up. Check the size guide for room-specific recommendations.
