How to Hang Wall Paintings
Hanging a work of art on a wall can change the entire look and feel of a room. The most important part is to make sure that the picture being hung is at a good height and hung straight. Otherwise, the focal point may be on the crooked artwork rather than the art itself. The hooks recommended below are available at most hardware stores or frame shops. It is always helpful to have a friend nearby for a second set of eyes as you work. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Pencil
- 2 D-rings or triangular flush hooks
- Drill
- Wood screws for hooks
- Butterfly toggle anchor/hollow wall anchor
- Picture wire
- Pilot-hole drill bit
- Hammer
Instructions
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1
Attach two D-rings or triangular hinged loops to the back of your picture about a quarter of the way down on each side of the frame. They should be placed so that when the wire is added, it will peak below the top of the frame if lifted from the center of the wire. Screw them into the frame using a drill and wood screws. Common styles of these hooks have three holes for three screws.
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2
Wind wire between the loops on the back of the picture at least twice to give double support. Bind the excess wire around itself, helping to tighten any slack.
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3
Measure the distance between the two loops on the back of your picture. Transfer that measurement to your wall and find the center point, mark it lightly with a pencil. This point should be eye-level. If you have thin walls, try to locate a stud, or a 2"x4" plank of wood that drywall is attached to. This can be found by knocking until you no longer hear a hollow sound, or use a stud finder from a hardware store. Studs are usually located 16 inches apart.
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4
Drill a pilot hole in the wall with a small drill bit into your pencil mark. The drill bit should be smaller than the nail that will eventually rest in the wall to hold the picture.
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5
Hammer in a butterfly toggle anchor, also known as a hollow wall anchor, into the wall if it is concrete or brick. This is also helpful in older homes where studs are difficult to locate. This will help to secure the nail so it won't slide out. If your walls are regular drywall, ideally you will find a stud to drill into, but if the picture is lightweight enough, you can drill a pilot hole directly into the drywall without an anchor.
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6
Drill the final screw into either the wall or the anchor. Do not screw it all the way in. Leave an area for the wire on the back of your picture to rest on.
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7
Hang your picture from the wire onto the screw and set it so it is straight.
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Tips & Warnings
Pictures should be eye level.
Make certain your wall is clean prior to hanging a picture on it.
If you are hanging a very heavy picture, consider using bracket cleats to hang the work flush on the wall. These can be purchased at a hardware store.
Do not use markers or pens on your walls to measure.
