Hanging framed art, mirrors, and photographs is an essential aspect of decorating. For new homeowners, a first time renter, expecting parents, or a business upstart, decorating is also one of the most exciting tasks for building a livable space and making it truly your own! However, when you’re staring down a series of blank walls, it can be a little intimidating. Where do you start? What if you change your mind and have holes in your otherwise pristine walls?
If this sounds like your situation, you could probably use some advice, and that’s why we’re here to provide the six essential tips for hanging frames!
- Reconsider Nails – A nail usually functions just fine to support smaller art pieces, mirrors, etc. But consider other options that have a wide balance for the weight, such as screws or threaded anchors. The right hardware now will help prevent tilting and falling later on. Something else to take into consideration is if you are hanging on sheetrock walls, plaster or wood – make sure to do your research before drilling or hammering into the wall!
- Create a Template – Everyone does this at one point or another, claiming to be able to eyeball how twelve framed pieces will fit together on a wall and just starting to drill – only to run out of wall space or create a wall full of holes. To save time and a potential headache, create accurately sized picture stand-ins from newspaper and tape them up on the wall. Stand back and rearrange until you are satisfied by the placement.
- Eye Level? – The general rule of thumb for hanging a framed piece is to keep it at eye level. However, there are exceptions. Framed pictures and mirrors may be above or below eye level if they are part of a bigger collage of framed pieces on the wall. It’s possible to cover an entire wall this way, making it impossible for every piece to be at eye level. In addition, a framed art piece hung above a couch or other piece of furniture should only be 3-6 inches above. Any more and the eye will be drawn to the blank wall rather than the focal point that is framed. Measure twice, drill once!
- Just a Reminder – Have you been a victim of drilling dust and plaster residue littering your carpet from the simple process of hanging a frame? Try folding a post-it note in half and adhering it to the wall just beneath the spot you will drill. The V shape of the note will catch falling dust and debris.
- Sore Fingers? – Don’t find out the hard way that you aren’t a good aim! One overly zestful strike and the hammer may come down onto your fingers instead of the nail. Try holding the nail steady with a clothespin. It keeps your fingers at a safe distance while maintaining control over the nail.
- Size Matters – Big walls should have big pictures or a grouping of smaller pictures. Similarly, a smaller wall should not be overpowered by a piece that covers the entire wall.
Planning and prepping for the ease of hanging art and mirrors is only half of the battle. The other half is framing! Let Frame Warehouse fight that battle by your side, helping you decide amongst the many options for frame style, material, and color. If you have a collage, you might want to have all of the pieces custom framed to match – Frame Warehouse can do that, too!
