Getting the Hang of It: Hassle-Free Tips to Hanging Your Frames

So you have madeyour choice of picture frame to showcase your favorite photos and memorabilia. Youhave selected oval picture frames, antique picture frames, shadow boxes and soon. The next question will be, how do you properly hang your frames?

Here are some quickand easy tips to creating your own photo gallery using your selected frames:

• -If hanging multiple frames, know whichpicture and frame goes to which wall space. It’s wise to choose the spots in your wall in advance and to carefullyconsider the aesthetics. If you are using the same size and style of frames,you can line them up or display them as a grid. If you are mixing and matchingdifferent frame sizes, make sure that you leave an even amount of space so thatthe frames are distributed evenly.
• -If hanging multiple frames, make sure theyhave something in common. Itreally depends on your sense of aesthetics and what kind of look you are goingfor. However, to prevent the wall from looking too “busy” or “messy”, each ofthe frames should have a common element. Of course, this does not mean that theframes are an exact match in size and in material. Rather, choose a commontheme based on the overall style and design, material used or color. Would yoube going for vintage picture frames or more modern ones? If you would like tofeature metal frames, gold, silver and chrome plated frames can complement eachother.
• -Measure the height. Oftentimes, we hang well above the averageperson’s eye-level, unless you are a family whose height is six feet and above.When you hang at eye level, you naturally direct the viewer’s attention to thephoto you want to highlight. They don’t have to look down or strain their eyesupward. Eye-level, on the average, is around 4.5 feet from the floor. However,here’s what you can do to make sure it’s approximately at your eye level. Getsomeone to help you. Have him hold a tape measure with the “0” mark at thefloor and the tape running perpendicular to the floor. Stand back around twofeet away from your wall. Determine the spot where your view naturally falls asyou are looking at the wall. Make this height. This approximately should bewhere the middle of your frame will fall. This would depend on the overallheight of the frame.
• -Carefully mark the spots.Using a pencil, mark of the places where the nails or brackets are to beplaced. If you are using more than one for a frame, make sure that these arelevel. On the wall, mark where the edges and the center line (the point halfwayfrom the top to the bottom of the frame) will fall.
• -Use appropriate instruments. Don’t simply go at it with a hammer andnail. You may risk chipping the wall. You can consider picture hanging kitsthat are to be found in your neighborhood hardware store. What kind of nail orscrew you will use will depend on the kind of wall you have. Also, you need toconsider the weight of the frame to ensure that the hanging materials aredesigned to bear the weight. For light frames, you can also look at disposablehooks that come with adhesive strips.However,you have to note that these only work with light frames.
• -Prevent damage on your walls. Before you hang your frame, you can putsmall bit of felt or masking tape on the edges that have direct contact withthe wall. Check that these are not visible at the front. Placing these willminimize scrapes on the wall.