How to Hang a Picture Like a Pro
Whether you’re outlining out an expansive gallery wall or hanging a single piece of inexpensive artwork, it’s a reasonably easy job the average house owner can take on themselves. There are no power tools required— generally just a hammer, a nail, and a level.
However there are a couple of things you ought to know before you drive anything into drywall, plaster, or even brick— like what type of hardware buy them here to utilize, how to choose the best height, and how to discover a wall stud. The sophisticated preparation is well worth the effort: It will save you from putting unnecessary holes in the wall, a error that can cost you both time and money.
1. Think about the wall surface
Drywall: If the wall you’re dealing with is made from drywall, you remain in luck— this is the simplest material to deal with, considering that it’s an easy material to permeate. Simply make certain to locate a wall stud, considering that hanging straight on drywall won’t supply a secure anchor. If a strong stud isn’t offered, it is necessary to utilize a drywall anchor to hang images.
Plaster: These walls ( frequently discovered in older homes) are a little more difficult, as they have a tendency to collapse. Approach the process very same way you would when dealing with drywall: Search for a wall stud for the most secure anchor. Simply keep in mind that when hanging images on a plaster wall, it’s always a good idea to pre-drill your hole. To prevent crumbling, place a piece of painter‘s tape on the wall before drilling.
Brick: If your walls are brick, you‘ll require to utilize a wall anchor. And utilize a masonry bit on your drill to drill into mortar, not the actual brick.
2. Choose your hanging hardware
If you have actually ever taken a look at the back of a picture frame amp underpinner, you know there are numerous hardware alternatives, consisting of D-rings, sawtooth hangers, and wire. Some frames even feature more than one alternative. So which one should you choose? The short answer: It depends upon what technique you’re most comfy with. Here, a couple of alternatives:
How to hang a photo with a nail: A single nail can likely do the trick and is simplest technique if the frame features a hook or sawtooth wall mount, says Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and director of engineering at the Good House Cleaning Institute. This technique also leaves the least amount of damage in its wake, considering that easy nail holes can be as small as pin dots. Driving the nail into a wall stud will offer the most support, specifically for anything above about 5 pounds. Simply make certain to drive the nail in at a degree angle, says Rothman.
How to hang a picture with wire: For greater stability, consider hanging your picture with a wire suspended in between 2 D-rings opposite each other, says Rothman. The process is the same as it is when hanging a picture with nails picture framing hardware, just two-fold.
And how to hang a photo without nails: If you’re hesitant to make any holes in your walls, adhesive-backed picture hooks and strips are great alternatives for lighter frames. ( Inspect the manufacturer‘s specs, but these alternatives generally max out around 15 pounds, says Rothman.) These products are also great for plaster and brick surfaces, considering that these wall materials are more prone to crumbling and splitting.
3. Step the perfect height
To determine the best height like a professional, memorize this reality: Eye level is around 57 to 60 inches from the floor, says Rothman. Because the middle of the painting ought to sit at this height, you‘ll require to do a bit of mathematics to get it ideal. Our GHI pro pointer: Take the height of the frame, divide it by 2, deduct the range from the top of the frame to the hardware, then add 60.
4. Make sure it’s perfectly level
When you validate the height at which you‘ll hang your picture, utilize a pencil to mark the wall. If you’re using a wire or more than one hook, utilize a level to guarantee the marks are at the very same height, says Rothman. If the room slopes, feel free to cheat a bit to make it look straight.
5. Lastly, hang your photo
Now, you can lastly put your decoration on the wall. Once protect on the wall, utilize a level one more time, tweaking as required, to guarantee whatever is ideal.