How to Hang a Picture
You've finally gotten that fantastic print or photograph framed. Now all you have to do is get it up on the wall, but sometimes it's easier said than done. Don't go hammering in nails all over the place before you can determine whether you've found the ideal location.
- Difficulty:
- Easy
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Measuring Tapes
- Picture Hangers
- Pencils
- Common Nails
- Hammers
- Levels
- Stud Finders
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1
Decide where to hang the picture. Avoid hanging one small picture on a huge expanse of wall - art looks better when it seems to extend the lines of furniture, windows or doorways or when several small pieces are grouped together.
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2
Check that you are not hanging a heavy picture on wallboard only. Hang heavy objects only from a wall stud or beam.
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3
Hold the picture up and make a small pencil mark on the wall where the top edge of the frame will be.
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4
Choose an appropriate hook. You might want a two-piece nail-and-hook, or a hollow-wall anchor for heavier objects (see 'eHow to Install Screws and Anchors in Walls').
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5
Holding the picture's wire taut, measure from the wire (or from the hanging tab if that's what the picture has) to the frame's top edge. Measure down that distance from the pencil mark you made on the wall and mark that spot - that's where the hook will go.
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6
Nail the picture hook into the wall where you've just made a mark.
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7
Hang the picture and adjust it so it's straight.
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1
Tips & Warnings
You can hang wide frames using two hooks spaced about a third of the way in from each side. Use a level to make sure that the two hooks are correctly aligned.
Very lightweight pictures can hang from hooks that stick with adhesive to the wall.
Picture-hook packages usually indicate how much weight the hooks can bear.
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Comments
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I found some great stuff on hanging frames. I hope this helps. Search hangman shops, they sell hanging systems.
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I have been using a tool called Hang & Level for years, the great thing about it is that you can see what the picture will look like on the wall before you hang it, and there's no calculating or measuring where the nail has to go - it does it automatically.
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frescaleras
Nov 10, 2010
I am trying to hang light weight framed art on a wall made of Fibrolite (concrete/cement panels similar to Hardiplank). What is the best type of hanger to use? Can I just drive a nail? -
ringo7
Aug 10, 2010
I downloaded an iPhone app from the iTunes App store that is SUPER HANDY for hanging picture, plates, etc.. It's called "Hang-a-Pic"It does all the calculations for you when hanging multiple, equally aligned pictures, mirrors, decorative plates, candles or any other wall mounted ornaments. Very neat and saved us a ton of time hanging picture in our basement.
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motherknowsbest
May 21, 2009
Another good idea is not to hang pictures to high. People tend to hang pictures over their heads instead of on eye level.
