Putting a painting on a wall involves selecting the right spot, preparing the piece, measuring accurately, and installing appropriate hardware to ensure it hangs securely and looks its best.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to hanging your artwork:
1. Choose the Perfect Spot
- Location: Consider lighting (avoid direct sunlight that can fade art), room layout, and how the painting relates to furniture or other decor.
- Height: A common guideline is to hang the center of the artwork at eye level for an average person, roughly 57-60 inches (145-152 cm) from the floor. Adjust this based on ceiling height or if hanging above furniture (usually 6-8 inches above the top of the furniture).
2. Prepare Your Painting
Ensure your painting has appropriate hanging hardware attached to its back. This is often a wire stretched between D-rings, or sometimes D-rings, sawtooth hangers, or keyhole slots directly on the frame.
3. Measure for Hanging Accuracy
- Determine the Hanging Point: For paintings with a wire, gently pull the wire upwards as if it were hanging on a hook. Measure the distance from the very top edge of the frame down to the peak of the taut wire. This measurement is crucial as it tells you how far below the desired top edge of the painting the hook needs to be placed on the wall.
- Reference Note: This measurement represents the "distance" that needs to be accounted for when marking the wall.
4. Mark the Wall
- Decide where the top edge of your painting should be on the wall and make a light pencil mark.
- From this top-edge mark, measure down the distance you measured in step 3 (the distance from the top of the frame to the taut wire).
- Make a second, more prominent mark at this lower point. This second mark is where your hanging hook or hardware will be centered.
- Reference Note: You will make a "mark on the wall" to indicate where your hanging hardware should go relative to the desired painting position.
5. Install the Hanging Hardware
- At the mark you made for the hook location, install your chosen hanging hardware.
- Reference Note: Be sure to use a hanging hook and hardware appropriate for the weight of your painting. Using hardware rated for the painting's weight prevents the artwork from falling and potentially causing damage or injury.
Choosing the Right Hardware
The weight of your painting dictates the type of hook and anchor needed.
| Painting Weight (approx.) | Recommended Hardware Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 10 lbs | Small picture hooks (nail-in) | Simple hook with one or two small nails. |
| 10 - 25 lbs | Medium picture hooks (nail-in or screw-in) | Sturdier hooks, may use multiple nails or screws. |
| 25 - 50 lbs | Heavy-duty picture hooks, wall anchors, or toggle bolts | Require drilling; anchors expand in drywall, toggle bolts brace behind it. |
| Over 50 lbs | Heavy-duty anchors, toggle bolts, or specialized art hangers | May require professional installation or mounting directly into wall studs. |
Always check the weight rating on the hardware packaging. For heavier paintings, use wall anchors if you are not screwing directly into a wall stud.
6. Hang the Painting
Carefully lift your painting and align the wire or hanging mechanism on the back with the installed hook on the wall. Gently lower it until it rests securely on the hook. Step back to check if it's level and in the desired position. Use a level if needed.
By following these steps and using the correct hardware, you can safely and effectively display your painting on the wall.
