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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!

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.

How to Hang Art with Sawtooth Hangers

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.

How to Use Sawtooth HangersTips for Hanging ArtHow to Hang Canvas Art

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

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.

Where to Buy Picture Hanging Hardware

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.

How to Hang Large Art

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

How to Use D Rings to Hang Art

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

How to Hang Canvas ArtHow to Hang Canvases

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.

How to Hang Canvas Artwork

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.

The Best Quality Picture Hanging HardwareGood Looking Picture Hanging HooksDurable Picture Hanging HooksTips for Hanging Artwork

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.

Picture Hang Solutions Reviews

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.

Cleats for Hanging Pictures

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

Picture Hanging CleatsHow to Hang Wall Art Securely

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

Prevent Canvas Art from Hanging Crooked

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.

Tips for Hanging Canvas Wall ArtCleats for Hanging ArtHow to Securely Hang ArtLearn How to Hang ArtWhat is the correct way to hang artwork?

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.

Gallery Style Track for Hanging Art

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!

Picture Hanging Track

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

Gallery Track for Hanging ArtHow to Hang Art on Clear Cord

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.

How Do You Hang a Large Piece of Art How to Hang Art Like a Professional

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.  

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6 Comments

  1. Gayl
    February 1, 2022 / 7:08 am

    Wow! This is so helpful. I used to work in a professional framing shop and love art of all kinds and now I know how to hang it all! Thanks

    • February 1, 2022 / 6:30 pm

      That must have been such a great place to work – I’d love a sneak peek at people’s art! (Although I’m sure it was hard work too). I’m so glad you found this helpful!

  2. SH
    February 3, 2022 / 12:50 pm

    Tanya, this is such a useful post! It is well written and the photos help a lot. Could you explain a bit more about the track? I see the cord is attached to a metal part, but how is that done? And how to afix to the track? Thanks!

    • February 4, 2022 / 12:47 am

      I’m so glad this was helpful!

      To affix the cord to the track, the cord has a permanent metal end that hooks into the track from the front. So install the track first, and then the cord can be added after (so there can be more/fewer added/removed at any time, it’s super easy). At the other end of the cord, behind the canvases, there’s a little hook. You can adjust the height anytime. And then that hooks into the picture hanging hardware on the art. We just used cord behind the art. I’m going to visit my mom soon, so I’ll update with some photos and share a little video on IG so it’s more clear how it works. I think it’s really neat!

  3. Georgia Jane
    April 20, 2022 / 11:53 am

    Great instructions for those new to hanging art. Another tip for hanging a piece with D rings and WIRE… use TWO hooks instead of one, spread about 1 foot apart, and that will minimize the left-to-right sway of the painting over time.

    • April 20, 2022 / 12:41 pm

      Definitely! We do that for larger pieces as well. Sometimes even just 6 inches apart helps too. Thanks for sharing!!

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