It’s a very simple process that ordinary homeowners can handle themselves, whether you’re planning an extensive gallery wall or hanging a single piece of inexpensive art. Only a hammer, a nail, and a level are normally required; no power tools are.

Before driving anything into drywall, plaster, or even brick, you need to be aware of a few things, such as what sort of hardware to use, how to determine the ideal height, and how to locate a wall stud. The preparation work is well worth it because it will save you from drilling unneeded holes in the wall, which could waste time and money.

1. Think about the wall’s surface

• Drywall: The easiest material to work with is drywall, which is an easy material to penetrate, so if the wall you’re working on is made of drywall, you’re in luck. Just be careful to find a wall stud because a sturdy anchor won’t be provided by hanging straight on drywall. When hanging pictures, it’s crucial to utilise a drywall anchor if a firm stud is not accessible.
• Plaster: Due to their propensity to crumble, these walls (typically present in older homes) are a little difficult to repair. The same manner you would while dealing with drywall, approach the process: The most reliable anchor can be found near a wall stud. Just keep in mind that pre-drilling your hole is always a smart idea when hanging pictures on a plaster wall. Before drilling, apply a strip of painter’s tape to the wall to prevent it from disintegrating.
• Brick: You’ll need to employ a wall anchor if your walls are made of brick. Additionally, drill into mortar rather than the brick itself by using a masonry bit on your drill.
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2. Select the hanging hardware

D-rings, sawtooth hangers, and wire are just a few of the hardware options available, as you may have seen if you’ve ever looked at the back of a picture frame. Even some frames offer multiple choices. Which one ought you to pick then? The gist of the response is: It depends on which approach you feel most at ease with. These are some options:

• Hang Picture With Nail: The simplest way to hang a picture with a nail is if the frame already has a hook or sawtooth hanger, according to Rachel Rothman, chief technologist and director of engineering at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Since simple nail holes can be as little as pin dots, this technique also leaves the least amount of harm in its wake. The most support will be provided by inserting the nail into a wall stud, especially for objects weighing more than five pounds. According to Rothman, just be sure you hammer the nail in at a degree angle.
• Hang Picture With Wire: According to Rothman, for increased stability, think about hanging your picture with a wire positioned between two D-rings placed across from one another. The procedure is identical to that used to hang a picture with nails, only twice as long.
• Hang Picture Without Nail: For lightweight frames, adhesive-backed picture hooks and strips are excellent alternatives if you don’t want to drill any holes in your walls. According to Rothman, the weight limit for these alternatives is normally around 15 pounds (see the manufacturer’s requirements). Due to their greater propensity for cracking and crumbling, plaster and brick surfaces benefit greatly from the use of these compounds.

3. Calculate your desired height

Remember this information to measure your height accurately: According to Rothman, eye level is roughly 57 to 60 inches above the floor. You’ll need to do a little bit of algebra to get it just perfect because the middle of the painting should sit at this height. Our GHI insider advice is to multiply the height of the frame by two, minus the distance from the hardware to the top of the frame, and then add 60.

4. Verify that it is completely level

Mark the wall with a pencil after determining the height at which you’ll hang your image. Use a level to make sure the marks are at the same height if you’re using a wire or more than one hook, advises Rothman. Feel free to make the room appear straighter if it slopes.

5. Lastly, hang your image

Finally, you may hang your decorations. Once firmly fastened to the wall, use a level once more, making any required adjustments to make sure everything is precise.