Hang it All! 10 Tips to Hang Pictures Like a Pro
Hey! my name is Valeria, I am a professional artist and often advise art collectors on how to hang paintings more effectively.
Photographs, framed posters, original art and art prints can personalize even the most generic decor. However, even the most attractive art needs to be hung correctly. Don’t fret; it’s not difficult if you follow a few basic tips.
Match your technique to your wall type
The type of wall that your pictures will adorn makes a difference in what type of hardware you’ll want to use. Make sure to use an anchor, nail and/or drill bit that is designed specifically for your wall, be it brick, plasterboard or mortar.
Arrange your pictures for maximum effect
The placement of your images can make or ruin the attractiveness of the display. Don't hang your paintings boringly, like in a museum, use asymmetry, but make sure the frames are evenly spaced to avoid accidental placement. It is best to use a tape measure when you hang several pictures at once.
Hang your pictures at eye level
Hanging your pictures or picture array at eye level allows them to be viewed more easily. However, this isn’t always as easy as it seems. If you are exceptionally tall or short, your eye level may not be the same as the majority of your guests. Many people make the mistake of hanging pictures that are too small too high on the wall and that looks bad.
Match the size of the picture (or the grouping) to the size of the wall
One of the most basic design laws for hanging pictures is to match sure that the size and scale of your picture match the size of the wall. For instance, you won’t want to hang a small picture by itself on a large expanse of wall space. Better to assemble a grouping of pictures to fill up more of the available space. Mix up colours and sizes to make the collection really pop.
Tape before you drill or hammer
One easy picture-hanging hack is to apply a piece of masking tape or sellotape to the wall before you drill or hammer in a nail. This stops the plaster or mortar from crumbling and making a huge mess and a larger-than-desired hole in the wall.
You can’t take a glass in there
If your pictures are being hung near a window, you may want to pay a little extra for non-glare (also called non-reflective) glass. This not only allows you to view the picture more easily when the sun is out, but also helps protect the picture from sun fading.
Pictures don’t always need to be “hung”
Keep in mind that pictures can be attractively displayed without hanging them on a wall. You can use easels in a variety of sizes and styles, tuck a picture in a bookcase shelf and even set a picture on a cabinet or buffet and lean it against the wall.
Something to show off, then show it off
Picture hardware doesn’t have to stay hidden. Consider using decorative anchors, pegs and even ribbon to add beauty to your hanging display. Likewise think about collections of pictures gathered together in an informal style.
Go “old school” with a picture rail
In Victorian times, elegant homes had picture rails, a moulding that was attached horizontally to the wall and from which pictures were suspended via picture wire. Resurrecting the old style picture rail can help to give your home a Victorian flair, while also protecting your walls from random nail holes
Mix
Feel free to mix original painting with posters and photographs, as well as mirrors and any wall decor
Follow these easy tips to add visual interest to even the most ordinary living space? and look closer at my art → https://www.instagram.com/artful_lera