Whether you're moving into a new home or apartment or shifting around some rooms and décor, hanging framed artwork requires a special touch. Sure, there are plenty of empty spots on the wall where you could hammer in a nail and hang some art, but getting just the right balance in your home or office may take a few additional steps. From choosing the right hanging implements to techniques for keeping things on the level, here's everything you need to know about hanging a picture in a frame.

Type of Artwork

If you're putting a relatively small hanging frame on the wall, you can probably get by with one small nail, but larger works of art will require at least two heavy-duty nails at a minimum. A better option for heavy or oversized framed artwork is to use drywall screws or anchors if you're going into the drywall and directly into a stud. It's always a balancing act when hanging a photo or larger artwork: do you want to have a large hole in your wall once you move the painting, or would you prefer to be slightly concerned that the smaller nail will truly hold your work?

Mark Your Spot

Once you've held your framed piece up to the wall to determine the general space you want it to occupy, it's important to mark your location before hammering in some nails. This next part goes a lot easier with a friend, so grab a warm body and a pencil or some painter's tape for marking. Measure across the space for your new painting and determine the absolute center of the space. Mark this spot with pencil or painter's tape. Next, consider how high you would like to place your artwork. Experts recommend that somewhere between 60 to 65 inches is a good viewing level for most individuals. Use your measurements to mark the center point, drop it down a few inches to mark the right location for your nails or screws and get ready to hang. 

Level and Hang

Most framed art will come ready to hang, but you can always add hanging wire to the back of your artwork if needed. Drive nails into the wall at a steep 45-degree angle, with the head angled up instead of having the nail go straight into the wall. This adds a great deal of strength and holding power to the nail. Once you have your nail in, hang your artwork and use a small level to ensure that everything is hanging straight and that the nail or screw is adequately supporting the frame. Don't have a level handy? Don't worry — there are plenty of apps you can download on your phone to help!

That's all! Now that you have your gorgeous framed artwork or glass project on the wall, snap a quick picture of your DeSola Glass artwork to share with everyone on our Facebook page. We love seeing how our frames look in your home. Check out our blog for more great ideas for your home, or contact us today at DeSola Glass, Art & Frame Gallery for your custom framing project at 281-370-6880.