How to Hang Stair-Stepped Pictures

One of the little touches that makes a room look professionally decorated as opposed to thrown together by a harried homeowner is the way pictures are hung on a wall. Give picture groupings visual interest by hanging them in a stair-step fashion, where one is higher than the next.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pictures
• Nails
• Picture hangers
• Hammer
• Tape measure
• Level
• Pencil

1. Gather all necessary picture hanging equipment. This includes picture hangers, nails, anchors, tape measure, a pencil, a hammer and a level. If hanging a heavy picture, a stud finder helps to make finding a secure area to hang it more certain.

2. Determine where to hang the first picture. Hold the picture up where hanging is desired. If possible, get someone to stand further back with a better viewpoint and help conclude how it looks. Make a light mark with the pencil at the top of the frame while you are holding it against the wall.

3. Measure the back of the picture to the place from which the picture will hang. If it is a wire hanger, pull it taut and measure from the top of the frame to where the wire reaches. Use this measurement from the pencil mark on the wall and measure down, making another light mark. This mark is where the hanger will go.

4. Drive the nail or nail with the hanger into the wall at the desired spot. Hang the first picture and adjust it until straight, using the level if necessary.

5. Measure the length of the second picture. Make sure there is enough space between the two pictures by holding the second picture against the wall next to the first one.

6. Measure half the total of the length of the second picture above the first one and place a light pencil mark. Drive in the nail and hanger just as the first one. Hang and level the second picture.

Tips & Warnings

• Wear safety goggles when using a hammer to keep eyes safe.