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Pictures are one of the easiest ways to make a room your own. Follow these steps to get them in the right place and securely hung.
1. Pick a method and gather your materials
Decide how to hang your picture. A lightweight frame needs only a nail or picture hook. A heavier frame needs wall plugs and screws, or toggle fixings on a hollow wall.
Tools you may need:
- Nail or picture hook
- Hammer
- Wall plugs (Rawlplugs)
- Spirit level
- Pencil and tape measure
- Power drill (for heavy frames)
2. Choose your placement
Artwork looks best with its centre at eye level, typically 150-165cm (60-65 inches) from the floor.
- Use a tape measure and pencil to mark where the top of the frame will be
- For a gallery wall, plan equal spacing between the frames
- Start with one central picture and work outwards
3. Measure and mark with a level
Use a spirit level to draw a faint straight line where the top of the frame will sit. Painter's tape makes a good temporary guide.
Measure down from this line to where the nail or hook will go (usually 4-5cm below the top for a frame hung on cord or wire). Mark the exact centre point.
4. Fit the nail or hook
For light frames, simply hammer in a nail or picture hook.
For heavier frames, drill a hole, push in a wall plug, then screw in the hook, leaving 10-15mm protruding. Always match the fixings to your wall type and the weight of the frame.
5. Hang the picture
Lower the cord or hanger carefully onto the hook. For larger frames, ask someone to help. Try not to scrape the wall with the frame.
The frame should sit close to the wall and not lean forward.
6. Check with a level
Rest a spirit level along the top edge of the frame and adjust gently until it is straight. Then stand back and have a look.
Final tips
- Take your time measuring. It shows in the finished result
- Ask someone to hold the frame while you check the position, before you mark the wall
- This guide works for a single picture and for a full gallery wall
Hung this way, your pictures will stay securely in place for years.