How to Hang Art

The most commonly asked questions I field are all about the artwork in my home – so today I partnered with Picture Hang Solutions to show you how to hang art!

I’m showing you some conventional ideas – and then also really neat methods that Picture Hang Solutions offers.  Their inventory is extensive, and really nice quality, so definitely check out the website if you are planning to jazz up some blank walls.

How to Hang Art Using Sawtooth Hangers

One of the easiest ways to hang art is to use sawtooth hangers.  Picture Hang Solutions has a great list of do’s and don’ts here.  They are designed to work with art in a wood frame, that is less than 25 pounds.

Using sawtooth hangers is very simple.  There are different kinds that require different installation methods (for example, some you can just hammer in), but these particular ones are installed by screwing them into the wood.  You just screw the sawtooth hanger into wood and then hang it on a screw, hook or nail in the wall.

You cannot see it – it’s completely invisible – and it very secure.  The major benefit is that is sits very flush to the wall and never needs straightening.

How to Hang Art Using D-Rings

My second favorite way to hang art is using D-rings.  This 2-hole D-ring from Picture Hang Solutions can hold up to 40 pounds and is very sturdy.

With D-rings, the most common methods are to use picture hanging wire and then hang on a hook, or install two hooks and hang the D-rings directly on the hooks.  The latter is a touch trickier, because you need to line up those hooks with the D-rings perfectly, so while we’ve used that technique for very large art we don’t want to move at all (like the large painting, below), normally we use D-rings with picture hanging wire.

To hang this smaller canvas, we installed the D-rings on the back, screwing them into the canvas stretcher on either side.

We twisted on some picture hanging wire and were ready to determine the height!

To determine where to place the hook, we like to hold up the art and find a spot that looks pleasing and then mark the top of the frame with a small pencil line.  Then we use a tape measure to figure out the drop and then place the bottom of the hook at that distance.

Picture Hang Solutions sent me these courtesy brass hooks and they’re so pretty, I almost don’t want to cover them with art!  Plus they hold 30 pounds on a single hook, so there’s no need to double up for most art.  Not sure what hook to buy?  Check out this wall hook buyer’s guide and also this list of do’s and don’ts for installation.

How to Hang Art with Cleats

Here’s a method that’s new to me: using cleats.   If they’re new to you as well, here’s an easy guide for choosing which cleats to use with your art.

Cleats have two halves: one affixes to the wall and the other your artwork.  They’re easy to install and once the art is hung, it’s very sturdy.  Even if it is bumped or nudged, it will not move – perfect for places where you may always feel like you’re straightening a painting!  If you really want to secure art, you can also add on a security screw, which will lock the art to the wall.

Installation was simple: we drilled holes in the wall and then hammered in the anchors.

Double checking again with a level, we screwed in one half of the cleat.

Then we drilled holes into the canvas stretcher and installed the other half of the cleat.  Then it was just a matter of lining up the cleats to hang the painting on the wall.  I love how secure this feels, especially in an area where this painting is occasionally bumped, while I’m cleaning.

How to Hang Art with a Gallery Track

The last method (a gallery track) solved a problem at my Mom’s place, so I gifted her the track – and one of my aerial ice photos she covets (printed across two canvases) – for the holidays.  I installed it and hung the art while we were decorating her tree.  Here’s the reason I love it: after we installed the beautiful wallpaper for her dining room makeover, neither of us wanted to puncture the new wallpaper!  The landlord also said he likes the wallpaper, and won’t make us remove it, so I thought keeping it hole-free would be nice for future renters… But I do think the wall looked a little blank, especially when the novelty of the patterned wall wore off.  So when Picture Hang Solutions sent me a track for hanging art, I immediately brought it to my Mom’s.  Yes, we had to put holes in the wallpaper, but they are at the top of the wall, where no one can see, and the art simply hangs on clear nylon cord.  The best part is that once that track is installed, the art can be changed up to any height or size – without the need for more holes.

To install the track, you simply pre-drill some holes (we drilled into studs, to take the weight) and use the included screws to attach the hardware (see below).  The track just snaps on to this hardware – easy peasy!

Here’s a closer look at the track and the clear wire from which the canvases hang:

The track is not very visible and would disappear even better on a white wall.  I love, love, love this idea somewhere you might want to rotate or change art (think seasonal artwork or in a room you keep redecorating).  For us, it was perfect here because even if the track is removed one day, patching the holes up at the ceiling will not be visible and this beautiful wallpaper remains unscathed at eye level – while still affording my Mom the options to hang art and change it up as she pleases!  You can find different gallery track options here.

I hope you found this post on hanging art to be helpful!  I’ve also done some unusual things: like screwing a frame directly to a wall to solve a warped stetcher problem and using non-traditional hardware to hang a very giant painting.  But you will most likely not need those highly specific methods.  This post should cover you for most art – but check out Picture Hang Solutions for more ideas,  high quality hardware, and also tons of helpful tips and tricks.

This post was sponsored by Picture Hang Solutions but all thoughts and opinions are my own.