10 Principles for Hanging Pictures

Many folks have different techniques that they prefer to hang up pictures and you'll find a lot of tips and suggestions everywhere. Nothing is really set in stone, but the following are 10 rules for hanging up picture frames.

1. In order to make things lubricated and to prevent anything from busting, put wax on the threads before you put in the screw.

2. When hanging your frames you ought to use either D-rings, or perhaps screw eyes, which need to be positioned on both sides, about one fourth of the way down from the very top edge of your frame. Make sure you drill little pilot holes first to lower the potential of the frame breaking, and avoid positioning the pilot holes too close to the edges. And make sure that the holes are positioned in the deepest section of the wood, especially in frames where the depth of the molding varies and there might be some thin spots.

3. Prior to hanging a frame, you'll always want to double check that the method you have chosen for hanging it will be completely adequate for the full weight of the picture frame that you are hanging. Most nails and other picture hanging fixtures and fittings come with a specific weight rating to help guide you, so make sure you know at least the estimated weight of the frame or frames you'll be hanging.

4. Make sure that you use good sturdy picture cord or maybe picture wire for hanging your pictures- don't skimp by using twine or thread and run the risk of your pictures getting damaged. And even though it is not chosen nearly as often, some people do prefer to use chain.

5. If you decide to use cord instead of wire, tie up the cord using a reef knot so that the knot is self-tightening. First, carefully thread the cord through each ring, and then fasten it with a reef knot. Doing a reef knot is simple - right over left and then under, then left over right and under.

6. If you decide to go with some picture wire rather than the cord, just take the end and double wrap it through screw eye or D-ring, whichever you use, and then secure each end by wrapping it back around itself on its way back towards the middle part of the frame.

7. You can buy X hooks that include matching nails; these are the best to use in softer walls. The larger X hooks together with wall anchors are more appropriate for hard walls.

8. You'll want to test the sturdiness of your hanging method when you're all finished securing it to the backside of the frame; you may do this by holding the picture by its cord. Be sure that you're holding the cord roughly six inches above the floor - you wouldn't want the wire or cord to fail, leaving your precious antique picture frames free-falling to the floor!

9. As you try to determine where to position the hook for suspending your picture on your wall, bear in mind that you should probably hang it at eye level because that is usually where it's most eye-catching.

10. If you wish to lift the picture frame away from the wall a bit, you may use some kind of smooth material such as two thin slices of cork on the back of both lower corners of your picture frame.

You're sure to be thrilled with the outcome when you try out these tips for hanging pictures.


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Your Picture Frames is pleased to have Autumn Lockwood write for us. We offer an extensive assortment of picture frames, from simple panoramic picture frames to classic modern photo frames. Call us at 800-780-0699 or visit our website and browse through our beautiful frames today!