How to Design a Wall With Many Frames
Create meaningful and inexpensive artwork for your home by hanging multiple picture frames on a wall as an eye-catching personal gallery. Whether you want to display heritage photos of your ancestors, your kids' school portraits, picturesque vacation shots or favorite candid images from family gatherings, ensure the framed images get the best treatment by spacing and hanging them properly. Use simple tools and techniques to complete the process and design an artistic arrangement with sentimental flair. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Photos
- Picture frames
- Ruler
- Pencil
- Newspaper, scrap paper or butcher paper
- Scissors
- Temporary adhesive
- Hammer
- Drywall nails or wall anchors, screws and screwdriver
- Level
Instructions
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1
Place the desired photos in frames that coordinate with the images or your surrounding room decor.
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2
Measure the length and width of each frame with a ruler. Use a pencil to draw the measurements for each frame onto newspaper, scrap paper or butcher paper and cut the shapes out with scissors.
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3
Create the layout of the multiple picture frame design by affixing the paper shapes to the wall with temporary adhesive. Use a ruler to measure the proper distances leaving a two-inch-wide border around each frame. Place the focal point images in the center of the arrangement at eye level and ensure balance by situating larger frames in the center or along the bottom of the arrangement.
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4
Once you're satisfied with the arrangement mark the spot to hang each decorative picture frame. Remove one of the pieces of paper. Hold the corresponding picture frame in its spot and use a pencil to mark the spot where the nail will hit the picture hanger or hole in the back of the frame. Repeat this process with the rest of the frames.
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Use a hammer to drive a drywall nail into the wall at each pencil mark. Leave the nails if you're using lightweight picture frames or remove the nail and use the hammer to drive a plastic wall anchor into the wall if you need added stability. Use a screwdriver to insert screws into the wall anchors.
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Hang each frame onto the proper nail or screw and use a level to ensure the frames are hanging straight.
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Tips & Warnings
When creating a design with multiple frames, use frames in the same shades, materials and shapes for a uniform look that will keep the focus on the artwork or choose an eclectic mix of metals, woods and styles as a more artistic statement.
To save time and ensure uniform spacing between each picture frame, choose an arrangement for the frames and hang the image in the center of the "design." Surround the frame with strips of 2-inch-wide painter's tape that you can remove without damaging the wall paint or finish. Hang the surrounding picture frames so they butt against but don't overlap the tape. Apply strips of tape around each of those frames. Hang the surrounding frames and repeat the process until you've created the entire wall photo arrangement. Peel off the tape to complete the project.
