How to Hang Large Posters

Hanging a large poster can add a finishing touch and element of design to any room. The color and theme of a large poster tends to dominate the room, and therefore helps determine the overall decor and color scheme. You do not have to be a carpenter to hang a large poster, but you will need some power tools and it is also a good idea to get a friend to help you.

Things You'll Need

• Large frame
• Stress wires
• Level
• Hammer
• Drill
• Screws or nails
• Wall anchors
• Stud finder (optional)

Instructions

1. Recruit a friend to help you. This may seem obvious, but you will need an extra set of hands to make sure your poster is level and properly hung. Attempting to do this on your own could result in a poor hanging job, wall damage or possible injury.

2. Buy a nice frame that coordinates with the overall style of your room. The frame may not be as focal a point as the poster, but it will definitely be noticeable. Gain inspiration from materials you already have in the room, such as wood to match a coffee table or white to go with wicker. The style of the frame will also effect the style of your room and the poster's overall appearance; depending on the subject matter of your poster, you can choose options that are ornate and decorated or simple and minimalist.

3. Install stress wires on the back of your frame if it does not already have them. If you have decided to take your poster to a framer, he or she can do it for you. Stress wires will help take some of the load off the wall by distributing the weight of your large frame.

4. Choose an appropriate wall or space that has available wall studs. These are the solid anchors within your wall that will bear the weight of the large poster and frame, and hanging your poster on a wall area without studs could be dangerous and cause potential damage to your walls if it falls. If you are not sure where you wall studs are, you can pick up a stud finder at your local hardware store.

5. Use a level to make sure you hang your poster straight. Place the level on the wall at your desired height and adjust until the bubble is parallel with the black line. Mark the wall with a pencil where you intend to drill your holes.

6. Install anchors, which are essential to prevent heavy items from falling off the walls. Drill holes in your pencil marks and insert the anchors. Hammer them firmly into place. Insert your nail or screw into the anchor, then hang your poster by setting the stress wires onto your two screws or nails.

Tips & Warnings

• Pick a wall where your poster will be prominently displayed with a significant amount of white space around it; large pieces of artwork look better standing on their own as opposed to grouped with other framed pieces.

• Hang your poster with the center slightly higher than eye-level, for comfortable viewing.

References

• Learn to Dream: Decorative Wall Art --- Hanging Advice
• Learn About Movie Posters: Tips for Framing: Oversize Posters; Sue Heim