Photo Frame Guide: Sizes, Materials & Where to Buy in Ireland

Standing in front of a wall of frames, it’s easy to feel lost: do you need A4 or 8×10? Wood or metal? And where in Ireland should you start looking? For example, IKEA Ireland (home furnishing retailer) notes that A4 maps to a 30×40 cm frame, a size found across many Irish stores, and this guide cuts through the confusion with real options from Carraig Donn, Dunnes Stores, JYSK and others, so you can pick the right frame without the guesswork.

Average photo frame size sold in Ireland: 8×10 inches (20×25 cm) · Most popular material: Wood (oak, pine, black) · Number of frame styles at Carraig Donn: Over 150 · Price range for standard frames: €5 – €50

The following table summarises key metrics.

What Are the Most Common Photo Frame Sizes?

Whether you’re printing a holiday snap or a professional portrait, matching the frame to the photo size is the first step. Irish retailers stock a mix of imperial and metric sizes, but a few dimensions dominate the market.

Standard sizes for photos

Elaine Watters Art (Irish framing specialist) lists A4, A3, A2, 8×10 and 16×20 inches as widely used sizes in Ireland. IKEA Ireland confirms that A7 through A1 are standard paper sizes, and its frame guide maps A4 to a 30×40 cm opening. Max Photo (UK photo retailer) adds that 6×4, 7×5, 8×6 and 10×8 inches are also common in this region.

Small frames (4×6, 5×7)

The 4×6-inch print is described by Elaine Watters Art as “the most common print size for family snapshots and travel memories.” IKEA Ireland offers 10×15 cm frames (≈4×6 in) with an actual opening of 8×12 cm – important to note if you’re printing yourself. Home Store + More stocks 4×4, 4×6, 4×8 and 5×7 sizes, covering nearly every small-format need.

Medium frames (8×10, A4)

8×10 inches is a ubiquitous size for standard prints and certificates. Home Store + More lists it alongside 6×8, 8×8, 8×12 and A4. JYSK Ireland sells A4 frames at 21×30 cm, while Desenio Ireland offers 21×30 cm as part of its eight-size range. The gap between imperial 8×10 and metric A4 is small – both fit typical photos with or without a mat.

Large frames (11×14, A3 and above)

For posters and larger prints, Home Store + More carries 10×12, 11×14, 12×16, A3 and 16×20 inches. JYSK Ireland describes A3 frames as 30×40 cm and also stocks 50×70 cm as a “larger statement size.” Desenio Ireland goes up to 100×150 cm, ideal for big wall displays.

The implication: knowing your frame size is the first step to a perfect display.

Where Can I Buy Photo Frames in Ireland?

Ireland offers a mix of high-street chains, homeware specialists and online stores. Here’s what each major retailer brings to the table.

Carraig Donn

Carraig Donn carries a curated range of frames – over 150 styles – spanning traditional wood, contemporary metal and decorative designs. Their stock suits both home décor and gifting (Carraig Donn (Irish lifestyle retailer)).

Dunnes Stores

Dunnes Stores offers affordable picture frames in standard sizes like 4×6, 5×7, 8×10 and A4, often in simple wood or black finishes. They’re a solid option if you need a frame quickly while shopping for groceries (Dunnes Stores (Irish department store)).

Woodie’s

Woodie’s caters to DIY projects with frames in basic materials and larger sizes. They also sell framing tools and fixings, making it easy to mount your own display (Woodie’s (Irish DIY home store)).

Homestore and More

Home Store + More lists one of the widest size ranges in Ireland: 4×4, 4×6, 4×8, 5×7, 6×8, 8×8, 8×10, 8×12, A4, 10×12, 11×14, 12×16, A3 and 16×20. Their contemporary designs are popular for modern interiors.

JYSK

JYSK Ireland stocks A6 (10×15 cm), A4 (21×30 cm), A3 (30×40 cm) and 50×70 cm frames in wood, metal and plastic finishes. Many come with glass fronts and ready-to-use hanging systems.

BGA Store

BGASTORE.IE offers frames in acrylic, aluminium, wood, glass, plastic and imitation materials. They also provide made-to-measure options and explain that total frame size = photo size + (2 × rail width).

ForYou.ie

ForYou.ie specialises in personalised frames for weddings and events. Their custom sizes and engraving services make them a go-to for one-of-a-kind gifts (ForYou.ie (Irish personalised gifts)).

What Materials Are Photo Frames Made From?

The material affects the frame’s weight, durability, price and aesthetic. Here’s how the options stack up.

Wood frames

Desenio Ireland offers wooden frames in black, white, untreated oak and light wood. Wood is classic, durable and works with both traditional and modern interiors. Boots Photo IE includes wood gallery frames in eight colours. Expect to pay a premium over plastic – but wood frames last decades.

Metal frames

Sleek and minimalist, metal frames are favoured for contemporary décor. Desenio sells them in gold, silver, copper, and matte black. Boots Photo IE also offers metal gallery frames across eight colours. Metal is lighter than wood and resists warping.

Plastic/resin frames

Plastic frames are lightweight and budget-friendly – you’ll find them at Dunnes, Woodie’s and JYSK. Boots Photo IE sells plastic frames in black or white. They’re ideal for children’s rooms or high-turnover displays, but they may yellow or crack over time.

Glass and acrylic frames

Most frames come with a glass front panel for clarity. BGASTORE.IE notes that acrylic (perspex) is used for safety in large frames or high-traffic areas – it’s shatter-resistant and lighter, though more prone to scratching. IKEA Ireland confirms its frames typically use glass.

Four materials, one pattern: wood offers longevity, metal suits minimalists, plastic saves money, and acrylic adds safety. The trade-off is cost versus weight and durability.

How to Choose the Right Photo Frame Size?

Picking the wrong size is the most common mistake. Follow these guidelines to get it right every time.

Match frame inner size to photo size

Max Photo stresses that the frame’s inside aperture must match the photo exactly, or you need a mat to bridge the gap. If you buy a frame labelled “8×10”, ensure your print is also 8×10 inches. For metric prints, pick a frame labelled A4 or A3.

Consider wall space and grouping

Plan your layout before buying. A single large frame (50×70 cm) works on a wide wall; a gallery wall of smaller frames (4×6, 5×7) needs consistent spacing – IKEA Ireland recommends 5–10 cm between frames for a cohesive look.

Use matting for larger frames with smaller photos

A mat (mountboard) adds visual breathing room and lets you use a larger frame with a smaller photo. This is common with 11×14 frames holding 8×10 prints. Both Elaine Watters Art and BGASTORE.IE offer mat-cutting services.

Allow for crop margins

If you’re printing at home, leave a 2–3 mm margin so the photo doesn’t get cut off by the frame lip. Professional print labs often include a bleed, but check your frame’s actual opening size – IKEA Ireland’s guide shows the exact opening dimensions for each frame.

The catch: measuring twice saves time and money.

Are There Custom Photo Frame Options Available in Ireland?

When standard sizes don’t fit, Irish customers have several made-to-measure and bespoke choices.

Custom sizes

BGASTORE.IE offers bespoke framing: you provide the photo dimensions and they build a frame to match, accounting for rail width. This is ideal for non-standard prints, diplomas or vintage photos.

Personalised engraving

ForYou.ie adds engraved text or names on wood and metal frames, popular for weddings, anniversaries and christenings. Boots Photo IE also allows personalisation on its gallery frames.

Online custom frame services

Several Irish stores let you order custom frames online: upload your photo size, choose material and finish, and receive the frame by post. Boots Photo IE offers framed prints in ten sizes up to 50×75 cm, while Desenio Ireland ships across the country.

Why this matters: custom framing is an investment in preserving your memories.

Choosing the right photo frame in Ireland comes down to three things: size, material and where you shop. For anyone printing a 4×6 snapshot for the kitchen wall, a €5 plastic frame from Dunnes works perfectly. For the 50×70 cm art print destined for a living room centrepiece, a wooden or metal frame from Carraig Donn or Homestore and More offers the durability and style it deserves. The trade-off is clear: invest a little more for a frame that lasts as long as the memory it holds.

For more home buying guides, see our Coffee Tables: Irish Buying Guide & Best Picks and Kitchen Cabinets: Cost & Color Trends 2026 Ireland.