You'll need a tape measure, masking tape, a picture hanger and nail set, a hammer and a level. Make sure you get picture hangers that will support the weight of the objects you want to hang. You also need a large piece of paper on which to trace your frames.
To determine where to put the frame, first trace it onto a large piece of paper. Then use your level and a scissors or box cutter to create paper cut-outs the same size and shape as your frames. If you use masking tape, you won’t damage your walls while you play with placement until you find the spot the looks best to you. Use the tape measure to be sure that the cut-outs are all equal distance apart. And use the level to make sure the tops are even.
Get ideas and advice that can improve your home. Check out more from AOL How-To Coach Barbara K, plus get additional tips and information on improving your quality of life from all of our AOL Coaches.
If you have a wire on the back of the frame, measure the distance from the peak of the taut wire to the top of the frame. Then, mark that measurement onto your paper cutout.
Next, hold the picture hanger so the hook is facing up…and the hook hits the mark. Now hammer the nail through the hole on the top of the hanger so that the nail is at a 45-degree angle to the wall. Then, carefully remove the paper. Now it’s time to hang your frame, making sure the hook catches the wire on the back of the frame. Be sure to erase any remaining pencil marks. Finally, make any necessary adjustments and use a level if you need to.
WHERE TO HANG YOUR FRAMES
Consider windows, furniture and environment when deciding where to hang your frames. Valuable artwork should not mounted in kitchens or bathrooms, over fireplaces or in direct sunlight. If you are hanging frames above a piece of furniture, center the bottom of the frame 5 to 8 inches above the furniture. Otherwise, position the center of the art at eye level.
STUDS AND FASTENERS
To mount something on a wall, you have to choose which fasteners to use.
First try to locate studs in your wall. (Studs allow you to install something securely so you don’t mount something onto a hollow section of your wall.) You can run a stud finder tool along the wall that will alert you where the studs are located. You can also use a tape measure; if you have studs, you should hit one every 16 inches out from the corner.
If you find studs and they match up with where you want to place your fasteners, you can drill your fasteners directly into the studs.
If you can’t locate studs, or if the positioning you want does not match up with where the studs are in the wall, you will need some universal, self-drilling hollow wall fasteners. This type of fastener saves you from having to insert individual anchors into each hole. Drill these fasteners directly into the wall. Then install your hardware into them, just as if you were going directly into a stud.
WHAT’S A PILOT HOLE?
A "pilot hole" creates a nice, straight track for you to drill a larger hole. You create a pilot hole by drilling with your smaller drill bit on the spot you want, and then switching to a larger drill bit.
