BROWSE HOW TOs

How to Hang a Picture

By eHow Home & Garden Editor

Rate: (54 Ratings)

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.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Measuring Tapes
Picture Hangers
Pencils
Common Nails
Hammers
Levels
Stud Finders

Step1

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.

Step2

Check that you are not hanging a heavy picture on wallboard only. Hang heavy objects only from a wall stud or beam.

Step3

Hold the picture up and make a small pencil mark on the wall where the top edge of the frame will be.

Step4

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').

Step5

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.

Step6

Nail the picture hook into the wall where you've just made a mark.

Step7

Hang the picture and adjust it so it's straight.

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

ollygitsham said

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on 7/18/2007 Try a new tool on the market for this job www.multiscribe.co.uk brilliant for pictures

allan said

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on 12/31/2006 I used ingenious hangers from AccuHang.com.
May strongly recommend them to all who want their framed art and mirrors to be hung in a steady and safe manner.

Allan

Anonymous said

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on 8/2/2006 I put blue painters tape on back of the picture or shelf where the hangers will go and push a nail through the tape to mark the holes. Then take the tape off and put it on the wall where you are going to hang your picture. Hammer your nails in and pull the tape off (it won't leave a mark or pull paint off). You can even use a level on the tape, too.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 When hanging pictures with pre-made frames, simply take out the paper from between the frame and glass (usually shows size, manufacturer, etc.) and Scotch tape the papers to various areas of the wall until you find your perfect place or combination.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 If the frame or picture is over 15 pounds, you can use a toggle bolt for a secure attachment to drywall or plaster. It's easy to attach, but make sure your measurements are correct: it's difficult to adjust!