Every room in your house can be beautifully decorated, including the bathroom. Create a focal point by hanging pictures over the bathtub, towel racks or toilet. Here are some tips to get you started:

Above The Tub

• If you want your tub to be the centre of attention, hang one large piece above it.
• Choose a soothing print that will help you relax when soaking.
• Make sure to leave enough wall space between your artwork and tub to avoid any damage from splashing water.

Above The Towel Bar

• Display one large piece or a combination of pieces that are at least 2/3 or equivalent to the towel bar’s width.
• Center your artwork with the towel bar.
• Placement is important. Don’t hang your art too close to the bar as it could get damaged every time you reach for a towel but don’t hang it so high that it’s floating on the wall.

Above The Toilet

• Choose pieces as wide as the toilet tank to create balance between the two.
• A tall vertical piece or a combination of pieces hung in a column will help fill the space.
• Leave enough space between the back of the toilet and your art to display some accessories such as: tissues box, folded towels, a basket etc.

Use the right hardware

• Safety is key when hanging a piece with glass in the bathroom. Be sure it’s fastened securely to avoid an accident.
• Alternatively, replace the glass in the frame with plexiglass which is more impact resistant.
• Place Anchor Points on the bottom corners of your frame to keep it in place and straight.

Avoid damaging artwork with hairspray or perfume

• Use caution when looking in the mirror and using hairspray or perfume. Artwork is often hung opposite the mirror and you don’t want to overspray and damage the art that’s behind you.

At Under The Roof Decorating, our mission is to make picture hanging easy.  We design products such as Hang & Level and Déco Nails to help you hang pictures exactly where you want them without making extra holes in your walls.

The focal point of every bedroom is the bed and what’s hanging above it, so it’s important to pick your artwork carefully. You can create a grouping, or choose to feature one special piece as we show in these examples:

What should I hang above my bed?
Hang things you love and bring you a sense of calm and serenity. Try abstract paintings, prints of nature or landscapes, black and white images or even nude art, for your eyes only.

Size It Right…
To create balance, your artwork (or grouping) should be at least 2/3 the length of the headboard. The shape doesn’t matter, it could be square, vertical, horizontal, round or oval as long as it’s the right size to counterbalance the headboard.

How High / How Low?
As a general rule, the bottom of your frame should hang 8” to 10” above the headboard. If you hang your artwork any higher it will look like it’s floating away from the headboard instead of being connected to it.

Use the right hardware…

• Safety is key when hanging a heavy piece. Be sure it’s fastened securely to avoid an accident.
• Use wall anchors or use 2 picture hooks or nails to secure your piece properly.
• Place Anchor Points on the bottom corners of your frame to keep it in place and straight.

Avoid this common mistake!

Don’t center your picture between the top of the headboard and the ceiling. It’ll end up hanging too high and look as if it’s floating. It’s best to visually connect your artwork to the furniture below.

At Under The Roof Decorating, our mission is to make picture hanging easy.  We design products such as Hang & Level and Déco Nails to help you hang pictures exactly where you want them without making extra holes in your walls.

We like nothing better than hearing real life success stories from customers who’ve discovered that picture hanging doesn’t have to be hard. Recently, successful blogger Kimba shared her experience with Hang & Level on her blog A Soft Place to Land and her readers responded with enthusiasm.

In an attempt to learn the secret of successful picture hanging, Kimba stumbled upon Hang & Level on the internet. She declared, ‘I couldn’t live another day without one in my hot little hands’, and after purchasing the tool at Target, easily hung her beautiful picture arrangement without leaving ‘Swiss cheese walls.’

Click here to read Kimba’s story…

Our favourite “ToolGirl” Mag Ruffman (toolgirl.com) has written up a terrific review of the Hang & Level Picture Hanging Kit:

Click here to read the article…

For an extra special touch this year, why not create a memory wall that tells the story of your family through photos? The challenge is that you likely have frames of different sizes, shapes and colors. Some with mats, some without. And some black and white pictures mixed with full color. Not to worry! Here’s a creative and easy way to display all your photos without overwhelming yourself.

In just a few easy steps you can hang 2 horizontal rows to showcase your pictures. With this type of arrangement the bottoms of the frames are lined up in the upper row and in the lower row, the tops of the frames are lined up to create visual symmetry and cohesiveness to the display.

Hang your arrangement in places where you and your guests can easily enjoy them. Popular locations include hallways, staircases and family rooms. Here’s how to do it:

Build the look:

• Use the floor to lay out the display. Start by choosing one picture in each row to serve as the focal point and build out from there. Be sure to balance out sizes and colors of frames on either side of the focal point frames so it’s even.
• When you think you have it, take a snapshot. It’s amazing how this will help you notice things that you didn’t see the first time.

Start hanging in the middle:

• Determine the proper height for the display. Be sure not to hang the top row too high or it will be difficult to appreciate the pictures. In our example, the tops of the frames in the bottom row hang at 62” from the floor (Red line in the photo).
• Start by hanging the middle frame in the bottom row. Hang the top frame, centered above it leaving 1-2” (we used 2”) space between the two.

Hang the lower row:

• Continue hanging the bottom row leaving the same amount of space between each frame. We used 2” to give the arrangement an organized and cohesive look.
• Using Hang & Level™, you can visually hang all the frames easily by lining up the top of each frame with the one next to it. Continue hanging, working out from the middle.

Hang the upper row:

• Using Hang & Level, visually line up the bottom of the frame with the one already on the wall to find the correct location.
• Hang your pictures working out from the middle leaving the same amount of space between the frames.

Tip:

• You may need to re-level each frame before hanging the next one as frames can shift when hammering.

Fun and affordable, mirrors are a great alternative to hanging art on your walls and they come in a wide array of shapes and sizes so you will be sure to find one to suit your space, style and budget. Here are a few suggestions to get you started:

Front Entrance

• A mirror by the door is a must. Not only does it allow you or your guests to take a glimpse at yourself before you head out; a mirror also reflects daylight so if you have a small entrance way it will make the space appear larger and brighter than it actually is.

In the Hallway

• You can use a mirror to trick the eye and bring the far wall of a hall forward or diminish the depth of a long narrow hallway by placing a large mirror at the other end. It will also help bounce light from the ceiling, therefore brightening up a space that’s often dim.

Above a Mantel

• A large mirror is an excellent way to accentuate a fireplace as the focal point of a room. It can reflect and increase the light in the room, and if you’re lucky enough to have a great view, a mirror will showcase the reflection of the scenery you may have. Hang your mirror the same way you would hang art over the mantel. Click here for more tips on hanging over a mantel.

Above a couch or on a Large Wall

• Be creative and jazz up that space with starburst shaped mirrors, large round ones, or even a grouping of several smaller mirrors. They could all be the same shape or all different depending of the effect you want to create and your personal style. Hanging a large mirror in the center of the wall with smaller ones around it creates a stunning arrangement.

Under the Roof Decorating is thrilled to announce our newest partnership with retail giant, Target. UTR’s unique picture hanging tool, Hang & Level is now available at all 1750 retail stores across the United States and is the perfect complement to Target’s wide range of beautiful wall décor choices. Everything from picture frames, to mirrors, to clocks and framed prints can be found online and in stores, and now those items can be hung quickly and easily with Hang & Level.

We’re very happy to announce that Hang & Level™ and Stoppy™ are now available at all Totem stores throughout Alberta. Click here to select your local store and check it out this weekend!

One of the things we love about the Hang & Level picture hanging tool is that it allows you to position your items visually without any measuring or marking up your wall. However there may be some occasions where you want your picture to be in an exact spot on the wall, perhaps to line up with an item on an adjacent wall. In those circumstances we have found a couple of helpful tips which make it quick and easy to do. Let’s say you want to hang your picture so the top lines up exactly with another picture on an adjacent wall. Here’s how.

1. Measure the distance from the floor to the top of the item you want to match (A). Always measure from the floor rather than the ceiling which is rarely even.
2. Use a piece of painters tape, apply it horizontally on the wall where you want to hang your picture, so that the bottom edge of the tape is exactly at the same height from the floor that you measured previously (B). Make sure that the tape is not in the centre of the picture, otherwise it will be covered by the Hang & Level tool.
3. Place your picture on the Hang & Level tool and position it on the wall so that the top edge of the picture lines up with the bottom edge of the painters tape (C). Here’s a little tip to make it easier to line things up: when you are positioning your picture on the wall, hold the bottom edge of the picture and pull it away from the wall slightly so that the frame is parallel to the wall (D), then lining up the top of the picture is a little easier…
4. Once you’ve hung your picture remove the painter’s tape and you’re done!

We love to hear from you. Sign up for our Déco Newsletter or click the Product Feedback button on the left to tell us what you think, and don’t forget to cast your vote on our Quick Poll available on our homepage.

Displaying pictures over a couch is an easy way to create a focal point in your living room. Here are a few tips to get the job done:

Size it up

• To create balance, your artwork (or grouping) should be at least 2/3 the length of the sofa.
• Don’t have a large piece? Use two or more pieces in a group to create the size you need.
• Pictures should not be wider than the couch or the artwork will overwhelm the furniture instead of enhancing it.

How high, how low?

• As a general rule, the bottom of your frame should hang 8” to 10” above the back of the sofa. There are exceptions when you’re hanging a grouping of frames and in this case, you may have to play with the measurements a bit.
• If you hang your artwork too high it will look like it’s floating away from the couch instead of being connected to it. Keep your wall arrangements low enough to enjoy when you’re sitting.
• Have someone hold your artwork in position while you step back and have a look to ensure the height is perfect.

Spacing between pieces

• When hanging a grouping of pictures, leave 2” to 5” between each frame for proper spacing. View a short video on Using Spacer Tape™ to keep spacing consistent between frames.
• Hanging frames too far apart will look disjointed, like you are trying to fill the wall instead of connecting each piece of art.

We love to hear from you. Sign up for our Déco Newsletter or click the Product Feedback button on the left to tell us what you think, and don’t forget to cast your vote on our Quick Poll available on our homepage.

At Under The Roof Decorating, our mission is to make picture hanging easy.  We design products such as Hang & Level and Déco Nails to help you hang pictures exactly where you want them without making extra holes in your walls.

A few quick tips for displaying your vacation photos:

• Consider white frames and mats to frame summer vacation pictures. White looks crisp and classy all year round and fits any décor style.
• Picking identical frames and mats lets the viewer focus on the pictures rather than the frames.
• Holiday pictures can brighten up any room in your house:
  • If your pictures are from a vacation at the beach, the bathroom is the perfect spot for them because they’re bright, fun and related to water. Inexpensive frames are a good choice for the bathroom to prevent damage from the humidity.
  • Pictures of children can be hung in each child’s bedroom providing great memories for the children and an inexpensive, personal decoration alternative.
  • We often forget about the laundry room, but what better place to hang holiday pictures? Looking at pictures of your vacation will help the tedious chore go faster, and may just inspire you to plan your next getaway.
  • Maybe you’ve visited some cafés, or have some great shots of your children eating ice cream or watermelon? Pictures related in some way to food add a personal touch to the walls in the kitchen.
  • Have fun and display your pictures in the mudroom. It’s a room that gets used every day, and vacation photos are a great way to welcome you home when you’re back to your routine.
  • Start a holiday wall and add to it every year. Group photos in a hallway or in a stairway.

For more creative wall décor ideas and to watch a quick video for tips and tricks on picture hanging, visit www.utrdecorating.com

At Under The Roof Decorating, our mission is to make picture hanging easy.  We design products such as Hang & Level and Déco Nails to help you hang pictures exactly where you want them without making extra holes in your walls.

It’s easy to create a beautiful space that will encourage you to spend more time outdoors and help you relax when you return home at the end of the day. You can hang artwork on the exterior walls of the house, garage, or shed and don’t forget that every fence is a blank wall ready for your personal touch.

Whatever you use in the yard, it should be weatherproof and tolerant of the elements. Mirrors, pottery, wrought iron and even old picture frames are just a few great choices. We recently came across these outdoor art canvases from Rittenhouse, which is a perfect choice for decorating outside.

With a little imagination, and Hang & Level™ to help you find the perfect place to position your art, you will be able to create a personalized, inviting outdoor space that you will enjoy year round.

Additional Resources:

• Kings Flower & Garden
• Canvas Republic
• Soothing Patios
• InsideOut Garden Art
• Weatherprint Outdoor Art
• How to make your own outdoor canvas

Back in March, the decorating blog Rainy Day Renovations did a First Look review of the Hang & Level™ picture hanging tool. They did a great overview of the tool, and highlighted one definite advantage of using Hang & Level:

We have a few “hanging projects” we need to do around the office. We’ll report back with a First Use write-up when we have had a chance to give the Hang & Level a go. We are pretty sure the maintenance guy will be happy to know that, with the Hang & Level, at least he won’t have so much patching and painting follow up work after one of our “redecorating benders.”

Fast forward to June, when the purchase of a new flat screen TV meant that wall space had to be cleared and the pictures on it rehung in a new location. Fifteen minutes later, it was all done:

We were quite impressed with how much easier the Hang & Level made hanging the frames. The task of placing, nailing, and hanging took less than fifteen minutes for the four frames. Best of all, we got the placement of all four fames exactly where we wanted them on the first try.

You can read the full review here.

With summer right around the corner, it’s also time to freshen the décor on your walls! Why not bring some of the bright seasonal colors inside for a new look? Nothing says summer like crisp white frames and matts paired with photos of vivid blossoms from your garden. Here are three quick and easy looks you can try to bring the vibrant colors of the season right into your own home.

Look A – Horizontal Grouping

This grouping is very versatile and looks great on its own or hanging above a piece of furniture. Create a balanced look by leaving equal space between frames. Here we left 5 inches.

• Hang the middle picture first, then using the SpacerTape™, measure out identical space between frames and hang the pictures on either side.
• It’s important to hang your frames at the right height. Learn more about Which Eye Level is the Right Eye Level and hang your pictures perfectly every time.

Look B – Vertical Grouping

This look works great on a tall narrow wall or in between windows and has the advantage of making a ceiling look higher than it actually is. Create a column of artwork by keeping the spacing between frames identical. Here we left 8 inches.

• Always hang your favorite piece in the middle as it will be noticed first
• It’s important to start with the bottom piece first, working your way up so the handle of the Hang & Level will not interfere with the rest of the pictures and you will have perfect alignment.

Look C – Creative Grouping

You don’t have to group pictures in a line. Tell a story by grouping frames closer together to create a compact look. If you have a small square wall space, a triangular arrangement looks great. Here, we left 2 inches between frames.

• Hang the bottom piece first, so the handle of the Hang & Level will not interfere with the picture above
• Next, hang the one on top followed by the frame on the right.

No matter which grouping you choose, you will create a fresh new look for your walls and the great thing is it doesn’t have to cost a fortune. We took these beautiful pictures ourselves. For more great, inexpensive ideas check out Wall Décor on a Dime. And when you’re ready for a change, simply swap out your photos for a whole new look.

At Under The Roof Decorating, our mission is to make picture hanging easy.  We design products such as Hang & Level and Déco Nails to help you hang pictures exactly where you want them without making extra holes in your walls.

We just returned from the 2010 International Home Housewares Show in Chicago which was a great success. The show was very well attended this year and one of the hilights for UTR was being awarded two Design Defined Awards by the IHA, one each for Hang & Level™ and Stoppy™.

The products were selected by Design Finders, teams of young designers, experienced practitioners and educators from the University of Illinois-Chicago’s Interdisciplinary Product Development Program. They scoured hundreds of exhibitors in the Clean + Contain Expo in the North Building searching for products that exemplified a commitment to design while achieving a solution to common household cleaning, storage and home décor issues.

“The purpose of the Design Defined program is to bring attention to those companies that have placed a premium on quality design,” said Phil Brandl, president of IHA, which owns and operates the Show. “We are pleased to announce the results of this much-anticipated program.”

“This year’s Design Defined Honorees showed the continued commitment of the housewares industry to integrate design and innovation into their new product launches,” said Steven Melamed, IDSA, president of Tres Design Group and a professor in the UIC industrial design department. “It was also significantly demonstrated that many companies are now actively moving towards the manufacture of more sustainable products”.

At UTR we are constantly thinking about how we can improve our products and user experience, and we’d like to invite you to help us out by giving us your feedback (both positive and negative) on Hang & Level™, Deco Nails™ or Stoppy™. Any and all comments are welcome and we’d love to know what you think worked well, what didn’t work, what changes you’d like to see, or any other comments you have.

Simply follow the link here, or click the Product Feedback button displayed on most of the pages.

Here’s a quick and easy wall décor project you can do just in time for Valentine’s Day. All the materials you need are available at your local grocery or art supply store. It can be completed and ready to hang within a few minutes. Have fun!

What you’ll need:

• heart-shaped / Valentine’s candies
• shadowbox type picture frame
• glue / a glue gun
• white card stock or foamcore

Step 1: Take apart the frame and install the glass at the front of the frame. Add the shadowbox liner into the frame.

Step 2: Using the backing as a template, cut a piece of card stock or foamcore of the same size. Make a grid or other creative design on your card stock and glue the hearts. Play with colours and love notes printed on the hearts to decorate your piece.

Step 3: Carefully place the decorated card stock into the frame, add the backing making sure the picture wire faces up so your frame sits correctly on the wall. Press the metal tabs down to secure your artwork.

Step 4: Place the frame on your Hang & Level and find the perfect spot on the wall to display your masterpiece. Hang and level your frame using the tool. View our step-by-step “How to” videos via the link below for more picture hanging tips. Use the same basic technique with other Valentine’s Day candy to create different displays.

Happy Valentine’s Day!.

In today’s challenging economic times, if you are like most people, you’re probably looking for ways to trim your spending and balance your budget. Home décor does not have to be expensive. In fact, some of the most beautiful pieces that have the biggest impression are often the most affordable.

Liette was featured recently on TELUS TV, showcasing some innovative ways that you can create huge impact on your walls – not your wallet.

Click to view the video…

Too many homeowners are overwhelmed when it comes to hanging pictures in their house. What should be a simple task becomes riddled with uncertainty. “What size of picture do I hang over my sofa?” “How high should I hang them?” “What would look good over my mantel?” “What about groups of pictures?”

In this segment, featured on TELUS TV, Liette answers all of your questions and takes the guess work out of hanging pictures. She also demonstrates how you can quickly and easily create a stunning grouping with the Hang & Level tool, so you will never be overwhelmed with picture hanging again.

Click to view the video…

We were thrilled to hear that New York magazine has selected the Hang & Level Picture Hanging Tool as one of their Best Bets in their December 14th issue! Available now at your favorite newsagents or click here for the web version.