Incorporating artwork and maybe even creating a salon wall is a great way to add value to your home.
Many of you have probably already given it a go with varying degrees of success.
Some of you may find the picture falls to the floor within a few weeks, probably breaking the glass and creating a mess. On the other hand, others will be constantly readjusting it because it always looks crooked.
Don’t worry, we are here to help. Just read our guidelines, and your problems will be solved. Hanging a picture is so simple even a novice DIYer can handle it, especially if you follow the tips below.
Before you start
So, you’re sick and tired of staring at a blank wall, or maybe you want to improve the aesthetic look of your home. You get all your needed tools (or borrow them from someone), and you’re ready to begin, right?
Not so fast.
The first step is to decide where you want to hang your picture and assess the material the wall is made from, whether it be masonry (stone or brick), cavity or plasterboard. That’s an essential step so you can do the task successfully.
If you’ve recently moved, of course, you might have to unpack your paintings first or go and get them from a self-storage unit.
Next, consider at what height you want your art to be. A good tip to adhere to is to hang pictures at eye level. This, of course, depends on how high the room’s wall is and your height as well.
You also don’t want your picture crooked after all your hard work. Thankfully, in this day and age, there’s a nice hack for that – a levelling app on your smartphone. Use that to achieve the desired effect, and never worry whether your art will be hung perfectly.
If you’ve multiple paintings that you want to hang on your wall, it would be wise to do some prior planning as well. Where will each piece go? How much space between them will be needed? You must be absolutely sure about the arrangement before you start drilling.
Things you must avoid
Next, let’s look at what you shouldn’t do when it comes to hanging pictures.
The first thing you want to avoid is to position your precious possession in direct sunlight. That is simply something that will cause irreversible damage over time and destroy it. The loss will be great, especially if it’s a valuable piece of art, so avoid sunny walls at all costs.
If you own expensive pictures, you could look into UV-protected glass to ensure protection against the sun. Any other option simply won’t safeguard your precious art and will result in it being damaged.
Perhaps, you might even want to throw a fresh coat of paint on the walls first so that they can go better with your art pieces.
The last thing you should know is to avoid a too humid or hot area of your home. This means that the bathroom or your kitchen are generally places you don’t want to hang your art. You also want to avoid places near radiators or a fireplace.
Masonry walls
The problem here is that these types of walls are very hard. Still, it might take a bit more work, but it’s pretty doable!
First, you’ll need to drill a pilot hole first before attempting to put in a screw. Find a screw big enough to hold the weight of your picture and a wall plug that is of the right size.
Drill a hole big enough and then push in the wall plug until it is flush. Now you can insert the screw.
When drilling holes, a good tip to follow is to fold a Post-it note and stick it to the wall underneath where you are going to drill the hole. This will collect any falling dust and reduce the need for cleaning up afterwards.
Cavity walls
When drilling into cavity walls, knowing where the pipework is behind it is crucial. All kinds of pipes and electric cables are hidden behind the cavity wall, and that poses an extreme danger to your health and your property’s condition.
Don’t drill above or below light switches, but the best way to check where any electric cables are hidden is to use an electronic tester. Once you have determined where the hazards might be, only then can you start drilling your hole.
The best place to drill will be where there are vertical or horizontal timbers. This way, you will ensure the most secure fixing for your picture. You can find the underlying timbers by tapping on the walls. The wall will sound more hollow between the timbers.
However, the risks for your health and your property are pretty big. If you’re a total novice or you’re unsure what you’re doing, it’s best to leave that task to an expert handyman. He possesses not only the necessary tools but also the expertise to conduct that task safely.
Plasterboard walls
When hanging pictures onto plasterboard walls, a simple nail or screw will not be sufficient to hold your picture. There are ingenious little fixings that overcome that problem available on the market now.
You better be sure about where you are putting them, though, as they are notoriously difficult to get out. That’s why it’s essential to plan things thoroughly before you proceed with this task.
Look for spiral fixings, rotor plugs, spring toggles, or hollow wall anchors in your hardware store. Any of these will be more than adequate for the job.
Conclusion
We hope these wall-hanging tips and tricks will help you and that you are now confident enough to tackle the job. If you follow our guidelines, your pictures will hang steadily and securely for many years.
However, don’t be tempted to take the easy route and just knock on a nail. Your picture will be more likely to fall and break, or you’ll be constantly straightening it because it doesn’t look level.
If you’re unsatisfied with the results, there is no shame in calling in a licensed handyman to tackle that task.
