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1/09/2009

Tips for Hanging Pictures

I am seriously under qualified to be posting them. We won't talk about the fact that I have an issue with using existing nails instead of actually placing pictures where I want them to go. It is a sickness and we are working on it.

But when I do beat the existing nail disease here are a few tricks that I have picked up from family that I thought I would pass along to you! And they are So qualified to be sharing these tips! Maybe even over qualified! They could be professional picture hangers!

The first comes from Aunt Ann. You need this:
Butcher Paper. I think I could do a whole month of ideas with butcher paper. Everyone should be required to have a roll of this stuff in their house. We will save that sermon for another day. For now, you roll out the butcher paper (or you can use construction paper or wrapping paper if you don't have butcher paper. But you SHOULD!!) and trace the object that you want to hang on the butcher paper. Then you cut it out. Flip the item you want to hang over and lay the paper on the back. Now mark where the nail needs to go with an X. (You should be able to feel it through the butcher paper.)

Now tape the butcher paper on the wall where you want it to go. Step back and take a look and make sure you like the height and that it is level. Then put the nail right through the butcher paper at the point you made the X.

This trick is especially helpful if you are hanging multiple things and want to see how they look before you have hammered all the nails.

Tip number two was actually posted on my sister-in-law's blog back in August. (Wow that feels like a lifetime ago!!)

It is a good alternative if you don't have butcher paper, but really works the best if the item you are hanging has hangers at the top.

You put tape on the top of the frame (or whatever you are hanging):


Mark the nail holes:


And then put the tape on the wall where you want the top of the frame to go:

pictures from Life Is A Banquet

You can check out the step by step tutorial on her blog for more details.

Also good to know, the tape trick is good because it will help prevent crack in your plaster or drywall when you are driving the nail in.

Do you have any tricks for hanging pictures?

21 comments:

Jessica said...

Since you have just convinced me to buy a roll of butcher paper, you need to tell me where to find such a thing! I can think of all kinds of uses for it.

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Ummm...brilliant. Seriously. I have been using a pencil, a level, hammer, numerous tools...and a few curse words to do this for years. NOW you tell me???

Lorie said...

Sarah, you will LOVE IT!!

Jessica, you can usually buy them at school supply stores!

Lorie said...

Jessica, you can also find it at restaurant supply stores (since it really is the paper that butchers wrap their meat in).

I have also seen similar (but thinner) paper at Ikea.

Or you can buy the real deal online. I know Uline has some. Just Google Buy Butcher Paper.

Anonymous said...

Ok, I'll remember this the next time I'm "haning" a picture.....hehehehe!

Salsa Mama said...

I have a great tip I heard on HGTV. I'll try to describe it, but I think I'll have to just post a picture on my blog for a visual. You just take a wooden paint stir stick and screw a smallish/medium screw into one end. (tape over it then screw into the tape so it doesn't splinter) Leave some of the screw sticking out on both sides. Take your picture, and put the screw into the hanger and hold the picture where you want it. Press gently and the pointy end of the screw will mark a dent where you need to put a nail. It's awesome! I hope that's a little clearer than mud. :) I'll post when I put a picture on my blog.

Addie said...

I swear by the scotch tape!!!

Since most of the frames these days are acrylic, they always have 2 rings that you have to get just right for your picture to be level.

I will definitely be using the butcher paper idea to hang a grouping of photos. Thanks for the tips!

Lorie said...

YaYa - I fixed it! I have typing issues too! It sure seems like I have a lot of issues!

Lorie said...

Salsa Mama - I think I get it and that does make sense...sort of...I think.

jori-o said...

The butcher paper trick really is pretty smart. Way too easy for me to have thought of on my own, so thanks!!

No tips here...clearly, I have a lot to learn!

Don Mills Diva said...

I have heard that you shoudl always hang them at the same level for best effect...

Laura said...

I like to eyeball and go for it. Unfortunately, I'm married to an engineer who gets a big thrill from the measuring, figuring, measure some more, leveling - it's enough to drive me nuts! The butcher paper looks like a great way to me!

Kacey said...

Great tips! I'm really bad at hanging pictures too - and somehow they are ALWAYS crooked. Oh well...I guess it adds some interest. LOL

Heatherlyn said...

Hi, I found your site from the Mormonmommy blog site. I have actually used the butcher paper trick. It works REALLY well. Good tip!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

That is very good to know. Thanks so much! You have the best advice/ideas/info on your site. I'm so glad I found you.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Jen

PS - I voted for you :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi! I'm here from SITS. These are great ideas!

Mindy said...

Wow, what a GREAT idea!!

LifeNStuffUSA said...

Love this tip! I think even DH will be impressed with this one. When I'm hanging a grouping of pics, sometimes I just give it a shot and figure the holes will be behind the pics anyway!

Amie said...

I've heard (but haven't done it yet) that if you put a dollop of hot glue on a couple of the corners on the back of your picture frame, then let it dry and set, that the rubber in the glue helps stop your frame from moving around once you have it hung. Picture--a nail keeps the top of the frame where it's supposed to be, but the glue acts as a little 'gripper' to keep it huggin' the wall and keep it straight. I'm not understanding your SIL's tape idea at all so I'm gonna go check out her blog.

Lynn said...

Many pictures can be hung with two nails instead of one--this helps keep them from tipping. Even the ones with those zig-zaggy brackets--or especially those!--can be done with two nails and they stay level.

Funky Junk Interiors said...

If there are two brackets for nails on a picture, I simply tie a thin wire or thicker string between the two of them, hence only needing one nail now.

To keep it straight, I take painter's masking tape, roll it inside out to form a loop then stick it on the two bottom corners so the picture will stay straight.

I'm desperately trying to figure out those other tips. I have NOT mastered hanging a picture needing two nails. Yet!

Great post!

Donna