Knowing how to hang a picture frame is an easy task that anyone can get to grips with.
Whether you’re hanging photographs of your favourite memories or creating a feature wall with striking artwork, this guide and handy accompanying video will teach you how to put up a picture frame like a pro in no time.
Before we get into the nitty gritty of hanging picture frames, let’s start with what you’ll need:
Materials:
- Photo frame
- Two picture rings and picture frame wire – if your frame doesn’t come with the relevant fittings
Tools:
- Tape measure
- Pencil
- Spirit level
- Claw hammer
- Drill with masonry and screwdriver drill bits (for concrete or brick)
- Screws & Wall plugs (if your frames do not provide these)
- Safety goggles
- Ear defenders (if using a corded power drill)
- Electronic wire and pipe detector
How to Hang a Picture Frame: A Step by Step Guide
-
Read Our DIY Safety Tips And Manufacturer Instructions
Before you begin any DIY work, we recommend that you read our DIY Safety Tips guide along with your power tool manuals to keep yourself and others safe and protected.
Before you get going, it’s a good idea to repair any holes or cracks in the wall.
If you’re in doubt about anything, reach out to an expert for assistance.
-
Check the Wall Type
First, you need to know what type of wall you are going to be working with. Different wall types require different fixings and can hold different weights.
How to Hang a Picture on a Brick Wall
- Masonry, brick and block walls can hold weight up to 10kg (more if you use the appropriate fixings and wall plugs), making them a more secure option for larger pictures and paintings.
How to Hang a Picture on Plasterboard
- Plasterboard can hold a maximum weight of 5kg so is not suitable for hanging heavier pieces. If possible, hang heavier pictures on a stud (the wooden support that your plasterboard is fixed to).
-
Ensure There Are No Hazards
Use the electronic wire and pipe detector to ensure that there are no hidden hazards behind the wall you will be drilling through.
Hold the device in one hand against the wall and place the other hand flat against the wall, about 20-30cm away, to ensure grounding.
Never drill directly above or below a light fitting or power socket because that is where its supply cable will most likely be.
Top tip: To avoid confusing the detection device, remove any jewellery. And to check the device works, pass it over another electric point where you know cables will be behind the plastered wall – like at a plug socket or light switch.
-
Make Your Marks
Give your wall a quick wipe down and measure how high you want the frame to be on the wall. Mark a line where the very top of your frame sits on the wall with a pencil.
Then, at the back of the frame, pull the string taut up towards the top and measure the distance from the top of the sting to the top of the frame.
Now transfer that measurement onto the wall below the first mark you made for the top of your frame. Mark it with an ‘X’.
Top Tip: Use your spirit level to ensure your marks are level with one another.
-
Drill The Holes
You will need safety goggles for this part – and ear defenders if using a corded power drill.
Check the packet of your screws and wall plugs to determine the size of the masonry drill bit you need for your hole. Then using the hammer action, drill a hole as straight and cleanly into the wall as possible.
-
Install Your Wall Plugs
Now take your hammer and gently tap your wall plug into the hole you’ve just created. Wall plugs strengthen the fixing, ensuring that your picture is secure.
Always use the same size masonry drill bit as the raw plugs you use, the numbers are in millimetres and should be stated on the side of the plugs and drill bits or on the packaging.
Top Tip: If the wall plugs starts bending it means the hole is too tight. Take it out and slowly make it a little larger with your drill and masonry drill bit.
-
Fix The Screws in Place
Using your drill and screw bit, fix the screw into the wall plug.
Top tip: The screws should sit out from the wall at about 12.5mm.
-
Hang Your Frame
Simply rest your wire at the back of your frame on the part of the screw sticking out from you wall.
Top tip: Use your spirit level to check the frame is sitting level and not crooked.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to Hang a Heavy Picture
Heavier pictures or paintings should be suspended from two points in the wall to strengthen the fixing. Follow step four as above, then measure two points at an equal distance either side of the central mark you’ve just made. These secondary marks should sit at one third and two thirds of the length of your frame. Continue as above, drilling your holes at the secondary marks rather than your central one.
How High to Hang a Picture
You want to make sure you can see your painting or photo in all its glory, so it’s important to position it properly. Roughly speaking, the centre of your picture should be hung at eye level. If you are hanging multiple pictures in an arrangement, this can be slightly more complicated, but the principle remains the same. If you picture an invisible line running through the centre of your arrangement, this should sit midway up the height of your wall.
How to Hang a Large Picture
Much like the additional steps needed to hang a heavier picture, a large picture will need to be suspended from two points to ensure that it hangs straight.
How to Hang a Picture Without Nails
Whether you need a rental-friendly option or simply don’t have access to a drill, you can still hang a picture on your walls without nails or drilling any holes. 3M’s picture hanging command strips stick to your walls and can be removed without leaving a trace. With different sizes available, you can hang pictures and posters that weigh up to 7.2kg.
Attach one side of the strip to your frame and the other to the wall, placing one at each corner of the frame. The opposite sides of the strip lock together and can be easily removed for damage-free hanging.
There we have it, that’s your guide on how to hang a picture frame on a wall! Don’t forget to upload an image of your new wall art to social media and tag us @Homebase_UK. You can find everything you need to get going in our range of picture hangers.
