Hanging art on your walls is one of the easiest ways to personalize your home and express your unique style.
Whether you’re hanging a family portrait, a piece of modern art, or a sentimental print, knowing how to hang art safely is essential to avoid damage to your artwork and walls.
While learning how to hang art might seem simple, there are several factors to consider to ensure your artwork stays secure and looks its best.
Understanding Your Wall Type
Before you even think about grabbing a hammer, the first step in learning how to hang art safely is understanding the type of wall you’re working with.
Not all walls are created equal, and the surface you’re hanging on will determine the type of hardware you should use. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Drywall: Most homes have drywall, and it’s one of the easiest materials to work with when hanging art. However, drywall is not particularly strong on its own. You’ll typically need drywall anchors to help secure your art, especially for heavier pieces.
- Plaster: If you live in an older home, your walls might be made of plaster. Plaster is more brittle than drywall, meaning it can crack easily. Extra care should be taken when drilling or nailing into plaster to avoid creating unnecessary damage.
- Brick or Concrete: For brick or concrete walls, you’ll need masonry anchors and a drill to ensure your artwork is securely hung. These materials are much harder to penetrate than drywall or plaster, so regular nails or screws simply won’t cut it.
Choosing the Right Hanging Hardware
Once you’ve determined your wall type, the next step in learning how to hang art safely is choosing the correct hanging hardware.
The right hardware is crucial because the wrong hooks, nails, or adhesives can result in your art crashing to the floor, potentially damaging both your artwork and your walls.
Weight Capacity of Hanging Hardware
- Picture Hooks: Typically support 10-50 pounds depending on size.
- Wall Anchors: Rated from 10-75 pounds, depending on the material and design.
- Adhesive Strips: Hold anywhere from 4-16 pounds, suitable for lightweight art or temporary use.
- Masonry Hooks: Typically hold heavier items, from 25-100 pounds.
Let’s go over some of the safest options for hanging art, depending on your wall type and the weight of your artwork:
- Picture Hanging Hooks: These are the most common tools for hanging art. They come in various sizes and weight capacities, and their angled nails offer better stability by distributing the weight more evenly. For lightweight and medium-sized pieces, picture hooks are often your best bet.
- Wall Anchors and Screws: If you’re working with drywall or plaster and you have heavier pieces, you’ll want to use wall anchors and screws. Anchors prevent the screws from pulling out of the wall by distributing the weight across a larger surface area. They’re perfect for heavier frames, mirrors, or larger canvases.
- Adhesive Strips: For smaller, lightweight pieces, adhesive strips can be a good option, especially if you don’t want to put holes in the wall. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s weight limits, as exceeding the limit can cause the strips to fail. They’re ideal for renters who want to avoid making permanent changes to the walls.
- Masonry Hooks: These are specifically designed for concrete or brick walls. Regular nails or screws won’t work with such hard materials, so you’ll need specialized masonry hooks and anchors to ensure that your art stays securely in place.
Measuring for the Perfect Placement
Now that you’ve determined your wall type and chosen the right hardware, the next key to learning how to hang art safely is figuring out where to hang it.
The placement of your artwork can make a big difference in how it looks and feels in the space, and getting it just right is essential for creating balance and harmony in a room.
Here’s a simple formula to help guide you:
- Eye-Level Rule: Hang art so that the center of the piece is at eye level, which is typically about 57 to 60 inches from the floor. This creates a cohesive look throughout your space and ensures that the art isn’t too high or too low. Eye level is where people naturally look, so it’s a good standard to follow.
- Groupings: If you’re hanging multiple pieces in a group, treat the group as a single unit and center the entire group at eye level. You’ll want to maintain about 2-3 inches between each piece for a balanced, cohesive appearance. This is especially useful if you’re creating a gallery wall.
- Furniture Alignment: When hanging art above furniture like a sofa, console table, or bed, leave 6 to 12 inches of space between the top of the furniture and the bottom of the art. This keeps the art visually connected to the furniture without feeling too cramped.
The Step-by-Step Process
Once you’ve measured and planned out the placement of your artwork, it’s time to start hanging. Follow these steps to ensure your artwork is safely and securely mounted:
Gather Your Tools
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Level
- Hammer or drill
- Appropriate hardware (picture hooks, wall anchors, masonry hooks, etc.)
- Stud finder (optional)
Find a Stud
For heavier artwork, it’s ideal to hang it on a wall stud. A stud finder can help you locate these supports behind drywall, ensuring a more secure hold.
However, if you can’t find a stud where you want to hang your art, wall anchors will work just as well.
Mark the Placement
Use your tape measure to find the desired height for your artwork, keeping the eye-level rule in mind. Mark the spot lightly with a pencil.
If your art has two hooks on the back, measure the distance between them, and transfer those measurements to your wall. Use a level to ensure that the marks are straight.
Install the Hardware
If you’re using picture hooks or screws, this is the time to install them. Hammer or drill the hooks into the marked spots on the wall. If you’re using wall anchors, drill a pilot hole first, then insert the anchor before adding the screw.
Hang the Art
Once your hardware is in place, carefully hang your artwork. Take a step back to check that everything is level. If needed, make small adjustments to ensure the art hangs straight.
Average costs of hanging solutions:
- Picture hanging kits: $5-$15
- Wall anchors: $6-$12
- Adhesive strips: $3-$10
- Masonry anchors/hooks: $10-$20
Special Considerations for Heavy or Large Art
When hanging particularly heavy or oversized artwork, additional precautions are necessary to ensure both your art and your walls remain intact.
- Use Two Hooks: Using two hooks or nails instead of one helps distribute the weight more evenly and keeps your artwork more stable. This is particularly important for larger frames that might shift with only one hook.
- Wire for Stability: If your artwork has wire on the back, make sure the wire is tightly secured. Hang the wire on two hooks rather than just one to further distribute the weight and reduce the risk of the wire snapping or the hook failing.
Hanging Art Without Nails
Not everyone wants to put nails or screws into their walls, especially if you’re renting or you have freshly painted walls. Fortunately, there are options for hanging art safely without making holes in your walls:
- Adhesive Strips: As mentioned earlier, adhesive strips are great for lightweight art. Make sure to follow the weight guidelines on the package and apply the strips according to the manufacturer’s instructions for the best results. Keep in mind that adhesive strips may not work as well on rough or uneven surfaces like textured walls or brick.
- Picture Rails: A more permanent but non-damaging solution is to install a picture rail system. This involves mounting a rail along the top of the wall (near the ceiling) and using hooks and wires to hang your art. The best part is that you can easily change or move the artwork without damaging the walls.
- Easels and Shelves: If you have large or heavy art that you don’t want to hang, consider using an easel or a shelf to display it. Leaning art against the wall is a stylish, casual way to showcase your pieces without making any permanent changes to the walls.
How to Hang Art Safely
Learning how to hang art safely is a skill that every homeowner and renter should have.
By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently hang your artwork without worrying about damaging your walls or endangering your art.
If you think that this is not something you can do, consider hiring professional and insured fine art handlers.
The key to success lies in choosing the right hardware for your wall type, measuring carefully for the perfect placement, and making sure that your art is securely fastened to the wall.
Whether you’re hanging a lightweight print or a heavy framed piece, taking the time to do it right will ensure that your artwork looks great and stays safe for years to come.