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
• Pencils
• Common Nails
• Hammers
• Levels
• Stud Finders
• Pencils
• Hammers

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.

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

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

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').

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.

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

7. 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.

[motherknowsbest]

on 5/21/2009 Another good idea is not to hang pictures to high. People tend to hang pictures over their heads instead of on eye level.

[ollygitsham]

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

[allan]

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

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.

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.