Hang a picture on the wall

How do I hang a picture on the wall?

Well done! If you've reached the stage of how to hang a picture , you're well on your way with your decorating project. Once you've carefully considered and decided on the location for your picture, you'll need to move on to the "hanging" phase.

Unless you've been crowned "Miss DIY," or you're hiring a professional or someone you know who's skilled, hanging a picture on the wall isn't always a simple task. You need to make sure the artwork is securely hung and stable. And if possible, make as few holes in your wall as you can.

That's why we've gathered tips and tricks for hanging your pictures in the " art care " category.

The first step is to identify the type of wall you have and gather the appropriate tools. Next, locate and mark the mounting point on the wall. Generally, it's best to position a picture at eye level.

Marking the location of the painting on your wall

It's quite common to position the center of a painting at eye level, between 150 and 170 cm from the floor, depending on your height and the painting's format. If it's a frieze or a very elongated landscape format, you can raise it a little higher.

For a tall painting, take a step back and judge for yourself. Perhaps you could place it directly on the floor, or on a low piece of furniture?

To summarize, and if the back of the picture has a hook at the top, you determine the height at which you want to center your picture, then you add half of its height, including the frame, minus the distance between the edge of the picture and the hook.

If the picture has a rope system, do the same by pulling on the rope to locate the fixing point.

The materials of the walls

Plasterboard, paneling

If your walls are covered with plasterboard, a nail may suffice, provided the picture is light enough (be mindful of the frame's weight). A simple nail should be driven diagonally into the wall, from top to bottom, to ensure your artwork hangs securely.

Double-pointed hooks, more commonly known as "X-hooks," will allow you to hang your pictures more securely than with a simple nail. The same applies to wooden partitions or walls covered with paneling. In this case, the only equipment you'll need is a hammer, nails, and a spirit level. Using a level is always helpful and will prevent you from constantly wondering if your picture is straight. The advantage of a nail is that it only makes very small holes and requires no tools other than a hammer. For very heavy pictures, it's best to opt for one of the following solutions:

The Molly type anchor. This system includes special anchors that are fixed by expansion behind the plasterboard, using a special tool (to be purchased with the anchors in your DIY store).
For very heavy artwork, consider attaching a wooden panel larger than your painting. You can paint it to match your wall or choose a color that creates a good transition between the wall and the painting. The panel is secured with several Molly bolts. The painting can then be hung on the panel, which helps distribute the weight.

Walls made of hard materials

If your walls are made of a hard material (concrete or brick), you will have to drill and use wall plugs

To perform this operation, you will need:

You'll need a drill. If you're working with concrete, choose a hammer drill. Vibrated concrete requires a good quality drill. With entry-level equipment, you risk exhausting yourself without much success.
A set of drill bits adapted to the wall material (concrete, brick, etc.)
Of ankles
Screws. These can be standard screws or hook screws. For standard screws, the holes should be drilled at a slight angle, from top to bottom. Hook screws are screwed straight into the wall, making drilling simpler and hanging the picture more secure.
With a screwdriver
And of course, the precious spirit level!

Adhesive hanging systems

There are adhesive and hook-and-loop mounting systems available. These systems are designed for lightweight artwork, which is generally the case for paintings. The idea is very appealing, inexpensive, and can be removed without leaving any residue on your walls.

The adhesive strip consists of two parts: an adhesive side and a hook-and-loop side. One side attaches to the picture frame, and the other to the wall. You can place one strip on each corner of the picture, theoretically supporting a weight of 7 kg!

We're currently experimenting with this method of hanging pictures and will be sure to give you feedback. To be perfectly honest, while we like the idea, we don't know if the adhesive will hold up over time. It would be a shame if a picture came loose and fell after just a few years.

The picture rails

Picture rails are the ultimate solution for hanging your paintings like in a real museum. This system has only advantages, apart from its price, although you can find them at very reasonable prices.

A picture rail consists of a long sliding track which, depending on the model, is fixed to the top of your wall or to the ceiling. Metal rods are then attached to this track, allowing you to hang your pictures with ease.

With picture rails, you can hang several works of art and individually adjust their positioning in height and width, in a simple and quick way.

Link: https://www.cimaises-et-plus.com/

Snag-free solutions

If you don't have too many paintings or if you have plenty of space, you can simply place your artwork on a piece of furniture or a low shelf. In this case, make sure the painting won't slip and fall. You can do this by placing a flat, heavy object in front of the painting, or by attaching or screwing on small protective pads, like the ones used under furniture and chair legs.

Another idea is to place your painting on an easel. This solution is rather bulky, but depending on your decorating style and the size of the room, the result can be interesting and give your interior an "artistic" feel.

Key points to remember

Choose the locations of the paintings carefully beforehand
Position your artwork at eye level
Identify the type of wall material and the weight of the paintings, including the frames
Equip yourself with the appropriate equipment and tools
And take your time…

Related topics: