Whether it’s photos of special memories or your favourite works of art, hanging up pictures on your wall is a great way to add pops of colour or personable touches to your interior decor. It can help make a statement or simply make a room feel more homely as you showcase your favourite images.
However, if you’re looking for long-lasting results, you’ll need to ensure you’re hanging them up correctly so you can avoid falls and crooked pictures. In this guide, we’ll walk you through a step-by-step process of how to hang your photo frames, from putting them up at the right height to the different methods you can use for adhering them to your walls for the perfect look.
How high should you hang photo frames?
Before you begin hanging up your pictures, you’ll first need to decide where to hang them. Where you decide to hang them is purely down to personal preference, as well as the influence of the room itself. For example, if you’re planning to have these photo frames in your bedroom but have a low-down bed, then you might not want them to be too high up on your walls as it will leave a rather large gap between your furniture and your photos which can create a feeling of asymmetry in a room.
However, a good rule of thumb to follow is that the middle of your pictures should be roughly eye level. If you’re hanging only a singular picture on a wall then in the middle is usually the best place for it to go, unless of course, you’re looking to purposefully create a more jaunty statement with your decor.
How to hang photo frames
Now you’ve decided on a place for them to go, let’s discuss the different methods you can use for hanging pictures on your walls. You can attach your frames with either nails or self-adhesive strips (or self-adhesive hooks).
Depending on the job itself and what kind of home you have, you may not want to go with the more traditional nail hanging fixtures, as nails are more of a permanent solution. If you live in a rented property or find yourself changing your interior decor around often, then self-adhesive strips are a great way to affix your pictures to your walls as they can easily be removed without leaving behind any damage.
Alternatively, if you have a more permanent housing situation and plan to keep your photos up for years to come then nails are a good long-term solution. Nails are also more heavy-duty if you want to hang up anything that might be heavy or has the potential to break such as a glass photo frame.
Both methods offer their own benefits and below, we take you through each and offer additional tips for hanging up your picture frames.
Hanging pictures with self-adhesives
Let’s start with self-adhesives, as they require a little less fuss than when hanging pictures with nails. There are many forms of modern self-adhesive options for fixing your photos to your wall, from picture hanging strips and hooks to self-adhesive plates and heavy-duty tapes. Below you can find a helpful list of items you’ll need while hanging your photos with a self-adhesive option.
- Tape measure
- Spirit level
- Pencil
- Rubber
- Cloth
- isopropyl rubbing alcohol
- Self-Adhesive strips.
Before you get started, there are a few things you need to note when hanging frames and pictures with self-adhesive strips.
- You can’t use them on wallpapered walls as they will pull the paper away when you wish to take down the frame (nails are a better option for wallpaper)
- You will need to take off any hanging hardware from the frame to reduce its weight and prevent falls and breakage
- If you have freshly painted your walls then you should wait at least 7 days before you apply self-adhesive strips.’
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Prepare the wall
The first thing you’ll need to do is prepare the wall. You’ll want to ensure that the area is free of dust and oils for the best possible adhesion. You can do this by using a cloth and some isopropyl rubbing alcohol. Avoid using common household sprays as they can cause surfaces to become slippery and compromise the adhesion.
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Measure and mark the area
Next, measure and mark the spot where you want to put your picture. If you want your frames to be eye level then this will be typically 5-6.5 feet off the ground and if you’re only hanging a singular frame you might also want to measure the wall from each side so you can find the middle for a perfectly centred picture. You’ll also need to take the size of the frame itself into account to ensure an even placement. Measure the frame and then subtract the vertical and horizontal measurements accordingly from your wall measurements. For further details, read our full guide on how to measure a photo frame. Once you’ve found the perfect place, you’ll want to take your pencil and make a marking so you know where to put it.
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Add the self-adhesive strips
Now you’ve prepped the wall and measured where you want it to go it’s time to stick your pictures to the wall. A lot of these strips and hooks will come with two strips stuck together with velcro. Separate them and stick one of them to the wall where the marks are and the other to the back of the frame. You can use a spirit level to ensure they’re straight. Make sure to press firmly, adding as many strips as you need - the heavier the frame, the more strips you might need to ensure proper security. The strips should be left for a couple of hours before mounting your frame to ensure proper adhesion.
Once secured, you can line the velcro portions up with each other, press into place and hold for around 30 seconds. It’s important to note that while this method tends to be the one to follow, different self-adhesive strip brands may require slightly different setups and will have specific instructions on them, so ensure you check before you start.
Hanging photos with nails
Hanging photos and pictures with nails will take a few extra steps, however, they can be much more reliable and are good for hanging delicate and heavy-duty items alike if you want peace of mind. You’ll need a few things, such as:
- Tape measure
- Spirit level
- Pipe and wire detector
- Pencil
- Rubber
- Hammer
- Picture hooks
- Picture wire or sawtooth hangers
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Find where you want to hang your pictures
The first thing you’ll need to do before you start hammering into the walls is to ensure there are no pipes or wires where you plan to put your frames. To do this you’ll need a detector to help you find any pipes or cables. This will ensure the area you’re putting nails into is safe for you to do so.
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Measure and mark the area
Just like when using self-adhesive strips, you’ll need to measure and mark the area. Since you’ve already used the detector to help you find a good area for your frames, this step shouldn’t take too long. You should use a spirit level to ensure you’re drawing the markings in the right area and they are aligned correctly.
You should place the frame in the area you want it to go and carefully draw a mark where the top centre of the frame is.
Unlike the self-adhesive strips, this portion requires an extra step as you’ll have to measure the distance from the wire taut to the top of the frame so you know exactly where it will sit on the wall when it’s hanging.
Going back to the centre mark on the wall, use the measurement you’ve gotten from the frame and draw a little mark where it ends - this is where the nail should go.
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Nailing your photo frame into the wall
All the heavy lifting has been done during the measuring stage, and now you’ve found the perfect place to put the nail, all you have to do is use your hammer to put the nail into the wall, rub out the markings and then hang the wire over the nail and you’ve got a stunning wall display.
How to hang multiple picture frames
Making a gallery wall is a great idea to add creativity to your home decor. There is no right or wrong way to make a gallery wall as it can be a great way to showcase your unique interior decorating skills. However, a good rule of thumb for a gallery wall is to start with having the first frame at eye level and then work from there.
You can also map your gallery wall out in advance with pieces of paper cut to the same size as your frames so you can ensure you’re happy with it before you begin. The precise placement of the frames is less important when creating a gallery wall as they typically feature frames at different heights. If you want your gallery wall to be centred, then you’ll need to measure the width of the wall, along with the collective width of your frames to find the centrepoint and the size of the space required between each frame.
Get photo frames to decorate your home with Kenro
Hanging photo frames is a surefire way of transforming your house into a home that’s filled with unique character and personality. Whether you’re making a gallery wall or you’re looking to dot a few family photos around, make sure you’ve got the right frames to fit your interior decor.
With natural wooden frames for a minimalist look, and metal designs to create a statement, find a wide range of photo frames here at Kenro to match your interior decor and elevate your space with style.
