Paintings on a wall add interest and beautify a room, and are a staple of interior design. Read on to learn how to securely hang framed pictures using anchor pins, and for tips on how to hang more than one.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Assessment and Preparation
Step 1. Evaluate what you want to hang
Different objects have different needs and require different approaches to hang correctly. The simplest thing to attach to the wall, the poster, requires only thumbtacks, but other decorations such as large framed portraits and photographs may require more secure attachment methods. In general, the most reliable way to hang a picture on a wall is to put an anchor screw attached to a tie rod to the wall, the pressure cap, and that's what this guide explains how to attach. If you are not sure how you should hang the picture, this method is a guarantee of safety.
Step 2. Find a pillar
A pillar is a reinforced part of the wall under the plaster and plasterboard designed to withstand a greater load than the rest. Pillars are essential for everything but the lightest paintings and frames, as hanging heavy objects on plain drywall can cause breakage over time. You can purchase electronic testers to find pillars in the wall at hardware stores or DIY centers. Most of these appliances work by leaning them against the wall and sliding them along the wall until they locate a pillar, at which point they beep and / or turn on.
- Read the instructions of the electronic tester carefully. Many have two sets of indicators: one for the pillars, and one for live electrical systems. Make sure you know what the indicator is before fixing your hook to the wall.
- If you don't want to buy the tester, you can use your hand to estimate where the pillars are. Tap the wall with your knuckles and listen carefully until you hear a very low, dull sound. This place is where a pillar hides. Double check to make sure you have found the pillar and not something else, go around looking for other pillars. They are usually between 15 and 24 centimeters away from each other. If you're able to spot a regular pattern, you've probably really found a pillar.
Step 3. Choose the hook
If you plan to use a pillar to hang a picture, you will need a type of round head screw called a pressure cap. A 3.5-5cm long thin-tipped nail can withstand up to a few pounds even without a pillar and is fine for lighter paintings, but a pressure cap is the safest choice. There are many other options for small pictures that you find in any hardware store, including various hooks, load-bearing tape, and more complex devices such as stabilizing hooks.
Step 4. Prepare your painting
If it doesn't already have a bracket, suspension wire, or other means of hanging it from an anchor, you'll need to install one. Solid mounts are a good choice, as they hold the framework more stable than the wire or string if it is bumped. Attach the bracket well over the center of the frame on the back side, so that gravity will do most of the work in keeping the picture stable.
Method 2 of 4: Positioning and Centering
Step 1. Find the right height
Plan to hang most of your paintings around eye level for a nice effect. The center of the image should usually be between 140 and 150 centimeters from the ground. Measure with a tape measure and lightly mark the correct height with a pencil.
Feel free to adjust the height of the center of the paintings according to your height or the height of the room you are embellishing. These numbers are just a guideline
Step 2. Estimate where the picture will hang
Place it so that its center point is directly above the point you marked with the pencil and make sure you like it as a location. If you think it needs to be raised or lowered, do so. Once you've made your final decision, measure from the center of the top edge of the frame and note the height. Then, measure down from the top of the frame to the bracket or wire hanging on the back. Subtract this number from the height of the frame to determine where you need to place the anchor on the wall so that the center of the picture is at the desired height.
If the picture has a suspended wire, pull it towards the top of the frame until it becomes taut, before measuring, since this is how the wire will be found once it is hung from the anchor
Method 3 of 4: Hang the Frame
Step 1. Make a pilot hole
Find the identified or marked spot where the picture will hang, and drill a small hole for the snap cap. If you have a power drill, use it to drill until you feel it hit the pin. If not, use a nail and a hammer to make the hole.
Step 2. Install the snap cap
Again, this is easier with an electric screwdriver, but you can also use a manual screwdriver. Put the tip of the anchor screw into the hole you made and screw it into the wall. Insert it into the pin, creating strong support for your painting. Once the anchor is set, continue screwing it in until it protrudes from the wall at a suitable length to hang the frame.
Step 3. Hang the image on the anchor pin
If it slips off easily, unscrew the hook a little and try again. If there is a space between the top of the frame and the wall, screw the hook a little and try again. Once the picture locks securely and is well supported against the wall, no further adjustments are required for fixing.
Step 4. Straighten the picture
Line up the top of the frame with the floor level and gently adjust the picture until the top is flat and even. Take a step back and enjoy the way the new painting hangs on the wall. Then be sure to clean all tools and remove debris.
Method 4 of 4: Tips for Hanging Multiple Pictures
Step 1. Don't make the studs in the wall too heavy
When you hang things on the wall or a series of pictures, they are hardly all so big that they each require a pillar. Plan to hang one or two larger pictures on the pillars; once you have identified the locations, the small pictures can be hung around them.
Step 2. Plan ahead
To ensure that the paintings are equidistant, measure the distance between them with a tape measure before hanging them, and adjust the positions if necessary. Use square post-its to easily mark the angular positions of the frames you plan to hang without making a mess of pencil stains on the wall, and adjust them until you have an evenly spaced overall appearance.
Step 3. Add interest by experimenting with various arrangements
Three squares of the same size can be hung side by side to create a continuous effect to follow with the eyes; six or seven pictures of different sizes can be hung at different heights to define an overall space. Be adventurous and try different ways to see what effect what you like best can do. Remember not to hang too high or low photos that look out of place.
- Work with the paintings you have. Several small photos do not look very good scattered here and there on the wall in a room, but they look good on a short wall or next to each other in a larger corridor. Paintings that are wider than tall offer possibilities that normal vertical images usually do not. Trust your taste and experiment until you find the right arrangement.
- Tall furniture, shelves, lighting and windows should be taken into consideration when you plan to hang multiple pictures. Most often, these elements define the free space left on the wall. Work with them instead of around them to create a unique and distinctive space.
