Receta Hanging Pictures 101-How To Hang a Group of Photos
When we first moved into our home years ago, I was afraid to hang pictures on the wall. I wasn’t sure how to arrange them, what height I should hang them, how many I should use to fill a space, etc… We had bare walls for a couple of years in some of our rooms. So boring!! Then I had an interior decorator friend come over and give me some tips. They were life changing for me people! I’ve taken baby steps, but I have finally reached a point where I am not afraid to decorate my own house.
Her #1 tip: Don’t worry about what the “experts” say. If you love a color, a piece of furniture or artwork, or a particular style, use it. Even if it isn’t the current trend. Go for it! It’s your home and you are the one who needs to love it and feel comfortable in it. So simple but so true.
She also taught me how to hang pictures on the walls without messing up a dozen times and leaving a bunch of nail holes. I’ve been using this picture hanging method ever since, and I love it!
Hanging Pictures on the Wall
(Without Leaving a Bunch of Nail Holes)
The first thing you need to do is trace all of the items you want to hang. I’ve traced pictures, shelves, sconces, and even the rough outline of flower arrangements that I would be putting on shelves.
This time I was hanging a grouping of 7 photos. All of them were 8×10 size, so I cut 7 pieces of scrap paper all the same size. Then I put small pieces of tape on the back and started trying different arrangements. I ended up with this one:
Now you need to mark the place for each of your nail holes. I like to take each piece of paper off one at a time and place it on the back of the picture, then make a pencil mark where the nail will go. That way if there are different types of picture hangers on the backs, you will have the nails matched up correctly. Hope that makes sense. After I mark the nail hole, I hang the paper back up.
Then take a nail and put it right through the pencil mark. Repeat for all the pictures you are hanging. Then take off the paper and hang up your photos.
See how they are arranged perfectly, but that each frame is NOT perfectly straight? Here’s where the next tip comes in.
Take a piece of painter’s tape and place it on the back of each frame. Usually one piece in a corner works fine, but sometimes I have to use it on two corners.
Tilt each picture till you get it straight. When it is where you want it, press it against the wall in the place you put the tape. Now it won’t swing back and forth on the nail anymore. This has been a lifesaver in my housefull of boys!!
Doesn’t this look much better?
And since I used the tape, I know it will stay put, even amidst door slams, wrestling matches, jumps to touch the ceiling, wall slaps, and laundry hamper basketball.
Now go, hang, decorate. Don’t be afraid!!