About Hanging Pictures

Hanging pictures can add a personal touch to your home or office. Using the correct hardware is essential for stability and longevity of your artwork. Taking the time to measure, and place your pictures in relation to the surroundings, will give them a professional appeal.

The Facts

Take a few moments to prepare before hanging a picture. Gather all the tools you will need including a tape measure, pencil, wall mounts a hammer and the pictures themselves. Don't get caught in the process of hanging your picture to find that you forgot a pencil to mark the spot, and the nails are still in the kitchen drawer.

Function

Start by deciding where you want to hang the picture. Look closely at color coordination, themes in the room and overall placement with your decor. Will the colors blend well together. Does the picture make a statement in that location?

Once the location has been determined, use your tape measure to measure the width of the wall where your picture will hang. Calculate the center of the wall and use a pencil to make a small mark. Determine if you want your picture to hang in the exact center, or if it should be off center for artistic value. Use a stud finder to locate a strong point in your wall.

Size

Measure the picture to be hung, and determine the center of the picture. If it a small picture, 11x14 or smaller, it can securely hang with one nail or wall mount. If your picture is excessively heavy or a larger size, you will need two or more ways to secure it to the wall. Make marks on the wall where you want to hang the picture. Hammer in your nails or wall mounts, using hardware that will bear the weight of your picture.

Type

There are a variety of hardware pieces used to hang pictures. The most common, a nail, will work for lightweight art work. However, when hanging framed pictures that are heavy with glass, choose picture hanging hardware that has a weight rating. Picture hanging wire, wall mounts and nails are designed to hold varying amounts of weight.

Risk Factors

Pictures hung without proper hardware for the weight of the piece, that aren't secured into a wall stud, can easily fall off the wall, causing damage to the picture. Purchase your picture hanging supplies from a home improvement or craft store that sells quality hardware and hanging wire.