How to Hang a Picture on the Wall
If you've framed your favorite photo, poster or piece of artwork, get it on the wall. Senior curator Toby Kamps from the Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston, explained in an interview with "Popular Mechanics" magazine to trust your eye and intuition when hanging a picture. Once you've determined the best place to showcase the piece, make sure the hardware you've chosen can handle the weight of the picture, that the available lighting enhances the picture and that it rests at a comfortable viewing height. If it looks good, it's good, according to Kamps. Now, start measuring and swinging a hammer. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Screwdriver
- Wall brackets with screws
- Hammer
- Wall hooks with nails
- Level
Instructions
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Hold the picture in front of you at eye level, with the focal point of the picture -- not the edge of the frame -- at a comfortable viewing height.
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Ask an assistant to measure the distance from the floor to the main focal point. Mark this on the wall using a pencil.
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Examine the location of the focal-point marking for ample lighting and ease of viewing. Make sure the height doesn't compete with a permanent wall fixture such as an outlet or light switch.
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Measure the distance between the focal point and the top edge of the picture. Mark this distance on the wall as a guide for the top of the picture.
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Measure the diagonal height of the picture using an "X" pattern. Mark these measurements on the wall indicating the four corners of the piece. Align the top two corner markings of the "X" with the top of the picture marking.
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Use a screwdriver to attach wall brackets with saw-tooth edges to the top left and right corners on the back of the picture. Choose brackets based on their weight ratings and the heaviness of the picture.
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Use a hammer to install flush-mount wall hooks just below the markings for the top left and right corner of the picture. Choose hooks with a 45- to 90-degree "J" shape. The more narrow the angle, the closer the picture hugs the wall.
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Lift the picture onto the wall hooks. Shift the picture left and right on the saw-tooth brackets until the picture appears level.
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Place a level on the top of the picture. Adjust the picture using small movements until the level indicates the picture hangs straight.
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Tips & Warnings
For heavy pictures and mirrors that exceed the maximum weight rating on the package of wall hooks, choose wall anchors instead of hooks, advises Heloise from "Good Housekeeping." The portion of the anchor that expands inside the wall gives the hanging item added stability.
Consider installing spot lighting to enhance the visibility of a picture.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
