Sign up for all the latest wall decorating ideas, easy picture hanging tips, contests, tools, How-To videos and more, delivered straight to your inbox.
If you’re looking for art that will always be in style, think of framing Chanel #5 posters. Chanel #5 perfume has been around since 1921 and is still one of the best selling perfumes in the world, so it’s a definite stylish and safe investment for your home. The posters will add instant elegance and freshness to walls in any room of your house.
You can order the posters from eBay, pop them into large white IKEA frames and voilà – your very own chic Parisian look without the large French price tag.
Hang your Chanels without making extra holes in your walls with these easy tips.
Do you have some mismatched frames that you don’t know what to do with? Just give them a fresh coat of paint to transform them into instant Wall Art.
It’s a creative and chic way to dress up your walls without spending any money on artwork. Here, everything was painted white, from walls, picture frames, floor, ceiling to the decorative moulding. The look is peaceful, bright and makes the narrow hallway appear much wider than it actually is. Use this image as inspiration to create a unique look for your space. Paint all the frames the same color as your walls, or use a contrasting color to make your frames pop. No time to paint? No worries, simply hang the frames as they are and create a “no fuss” look that will fit any casual space.
There’s no need to paint the back of your frames and if they’re fitted with a picture wire, simply replace it with a sawtooth hanger that will be invisible from the front. They’re easy to install, just be careful when hammering the tiny nails in to avoid cracking the frames.
What do you think – Is this a project you’d do in your home or cottage?
Use a large clock as a focal point in any part of your home, from the living room, kitchen, office, bedroom, even the laundry room. Perfectly centered on a tall narrow wall, this no fuss oversized clock adds style and curves to the linear space. The large numbers are easy to see from across the room without needing to squint.
Collection of clocks
If you have several clocks, even if they differ in style and color, consider hanging them together. Although they’re all different, they share a common theme – time. You could set the largest clock with your local time, and all the others with different times. Or, they could all show the same time. With that many clocks around, you’ll never have an excuse to be late again.
Time zone clocks
Perfect for home or the office, hang 3 or more clocks, each displaying a different time zone where family, friends or coworkers live. Create a label for each clock that identifies the name or city each clock is dedicated to. Your time zone wall will make it much easier to figure out the best time to call without worrying about waking anyone up.
Tips & Tricks
Hanging your clock(s)
Most clocks are fitted with a single keyhole or with a D-ring hook which can be quite a pain to hang. Make the job easier by using the single hook on Hang & Level. It fits perfectly in tricky openings and will allow you to easily hang one or several clocks.
Spacing clocks
Use Painter’s Tape or SpacerTape to space your clocks evenly. Simply peel off the tape when you’re done.
Have you ever seen a beautiful wall arrangement like this one in your favorite décor magazine and wanted to recreate it in your home? Of course you have, but if you’re like most people, you’d never think of recreating the same look in your house because you’re afraid that you’d mess up your walls. Right? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!
Here are a few easy steps to help you recreate this beautiful look for your home:
Once you’ve confirmed the final layout, measure the total vertical length of your display to decide on the correct height to hang it.
Start by hanging the middle frame in the bottom row. Then hang the one on the left or right.
As for the spacing between frames, keep it consistent to achieve the same look. Cut pieces of desired (identical) length of low adhesive tape or SpacerTape and simply peel the tape off when you’re done.
Use Hang & Level to perfectly line up your frames on the wall. It will mark the exact location for your hardware, eliminating the chance of making extra holes in your walls.
Next, hang the center row, aligning the frames with the bottom row.
Finish the look with the top row, lining up the frames with the row below.
Tip: Once you’ve done all this work, you’ll want to make sure your arrangement stays straight. By placing small Anchor Points on the bottom corners of your frames, they will stay straight forever, keeping your look magazine perfect.
Hammering nails into a plaster wall can be a nerve wracking experience. After all, the plaster might crack, crumble or even chip off, damaging your wall. Don’t be afraid! It is possible to hang artwork on plaster walls without causing damage, here are a few options to consider:
Drill and Hang:
Once you know where to hang your piece (see Hang & Level below) cover the mark with painters’ tape or masking tape to prevent the plaster from cracking or crumbling around the nail hole.
With a pen, mark the hanging spot over the tape.
At slow speed, drill a pilot hole using a drill bit just big enough for the size of the hardware you’ll be using.
Remove the tape and put your nail, screw or toggle bolt in the hole and hang your picture.
Watch how home improvement expert Ron Hazelton drills into a plaster wall without cracking it. Although the segment is only 1:41, fast forward to 45 sec to skip the intro. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IuNkiiqhO4
Finding the right spot on the wall for your pictures:
Hang & Level works extremely well on drywall and on other wall surfaces, including plaster. The only difference is, that over time the steel pins on the back of the tool might become dull when used repeatedly on a hard surface.
If hammering into the plaster is not an option:
Use double sided tape or hooks such as 3M Command products. Make sure to buy the recommended strength to hold the weight of your piece and for safety reasons, refrain from hanging anything with glass.
If you live in an older house, you might already have a picture rail to hang your art from. If not, you can easily install one. Choose picture rail hooks to fit your décor, find the right height for your art and use decorative chains or wire to hang your pieces with.
This has to be the most popular question homeowners ask us, so we were so pleased when The Ottawa Citizen shared the attached information with their readers in their March 10th weekend paper.
As mentioned in the article, when it comes to hanging pictures that will be viewed from a standing position, a rule that never fails is to “place the artwork so the middle of the piece hangs at 152 cm to 167 cm from the floor.”
For more great picture hanging tips and wall décor inspiration to help you hang your artwork with confidence, please visit our Déco blog.
If you just moved into a new home, re-decorated or recently painted your walls, there’s a good chance you’ll have to hang some pictures. But before you start hammering, be sure to check out these tips, they’ll save you time and potential mistake holes too.
Sounds simple, but if you’re hanging a piece above your couch, for example, you want to make sure it’s placed exactly where you want it before you start hammering nails in your walls.
That also goes for armoires, hutches, pianos, bookcases, desks etc…
Match your art with your furniture by hanging small pictures over small pieces, and big ones over large pieces. An oversized frame hanging over a delicate piece of furniture will completely overwhelm it instead of enhancing it.
Consider the shape of your walls too; for example, a tall vertical piece will fit perfectly in a tall wall space.
If you’re hanging artwork in a hallway, front entrance or any other place where it’ll be viewed from a standing position, hang your artwork so the center hangs approximately 60″ to 66” from the floor. This rule never fails.
In rooms where you spend most of your time sitting, your art should be hanging lower so you can enjoy it without having to look up.
Always take a second look before hanging a mirror. Make sure the reflection you get isn’t of a messy kitchen, doorway or a blank wall.
Mirrors also reflect daylight, they’ll help make a small space appear larger and brighter than it actually is.
Anything light, including picture frames, canvases, shadow boxes, clocks, plates etc. can be hung with a nail, hook or screw.
For heavier items, use 2 nails or hooks for each piece, which will help equally distribute the weight. In some cases, it’s best to use wall anchors. They make big holes but you need to think about safety first.
The fireplace is the natural focal point of any room which means, when it comes to decorating the space above the mantel, don’t be afraid to go big in order to turn it into a conversation piece.
What to hang above the mantel
Hanging a large mirror is always a great way to accentuate a fireplace as the focal point of a room. Paintings, photos, framed maps, children’s artwork, prints and canvas are all excellent choices. Plasma TVs are also popular, but just remember that when it’s off, you’ll end up staring at a big black screen.
Choose the right size of artwork
Keep items in balance by ensuring artwork is at least 2/3 of the fireplace’s width. If you don’t own a big piece of art you can combine a few pieces to achieve the scale needed.
A little higher, a little lower
Hang the bottom of your piece(s) 4” to 6” from the mantel to keep your artwork and mantel visually connected to each other. This gap may vary slightly depending on the type of accessories you choose to display.
Lastly, if you don’t want to commit to putting holes in your wall, simply rest your artwork against the wall and switch it as you please.
Image via Traditional Home
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
Many people think that in order to safely hang a picture it must be on a wall stud, but the reality is, wall studs are rarely located where you need them to be. Architects and homebuilders don’t strategically place them where you’ll want to hang your artwork.
Remember, hanging pictures is all about common sense.
For lightweight items:
Anything light, including picture frames, canvases, shadow boxes, clocks, plates etc. can be hung with a nail, hook or screw. If you’re using a nail, hammer it at a 45º angle to get the maximum holding power. As for picture hooks, be sure to choose one according to the weight of your piece.
For heavier items:
Large frames with a glass, mirrors, anything that feels heavy when you’re holding it against the wall will need extra hanging power.
Consider using 2 nails or hooks for each piece, which will help equally distribute the weight.
In some cases, especially when dealing with large heavy mirrors, it’s best to use wall anchors. They make big holes in walls, but you need to think about safety first.
For more detailed information about what picture hanging hardware to use on what surface, read this article by Danny Lipford’s, host of Today’s Homeowner. He covers pretty much everything there is to know about what hanging hardware to use.
Here’s a quick and easy wall décor project you can do with the kids, just in time for Valentine’s Day. It makes a unique gift for any of the special Valentine’s on your child’s list. Be as creative as you want, anything goes. The most important part of this project is to have fun and not to eat all the candies before getting started!
What you’ll need:
Valentine candies of any kind
Shadow box picture frame
Glue gun
White card stock or foamcore
Step 1: Take the frame apart 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. A simple “I love you” spelled out with candies would be quite cute too. Don’t forget to have the kids sign their masterpiece before framing, it’ll make a great keepsake. Let the glue dry before inserting into the frame.
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. And you’re done!
About the frames:
We used white frames and mats but any color would work. A red background would be a sweet variation for Valentine’s Day.
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
Okay, in most cases you don’t need a laser level to hang only one picture. But what if you want to hang two or more pieces, all perfectly leveled, just like the ones you see in your favorite decorating magazines?
That’s when you’ll need the right tools to do the job. We used Black & Decker’s new SureGrip laser level along with Hang & Level and hung these 3 frames perfectly leveled in less than 10 minutes without making any extra holes in the walls. Don’t be intimidated by the laser, it’s super easy to use!
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
Over the years, we’ve tried many different laser levels but never found one that worked well for hanging pictures. That is, until now. Recently, we used Black & Decker’s new SureGrip™, along with Hang & Level™ to hang these three pictures. It took us less than ten minutes to hang them all perfectly leveled and we didn’t make any extra holes in the walls.
The SureGrip laser level projects a straight line on the wall while the suction cup keeps your hands free. Hang & Level helps you line up the top of the frame with the laser line, and marks exactly where the nail goes. Using both tools together makes the perfect picture hanging combination that will save you time and frustration.
Find the right height for your display: Use a measuring tape or our HeightGuide™ to find the right height for your display. Ours hangs at 60″ from the floor to the center of the image, which is the perfect standing eye height.
Using Hang & Level, hang the first frame, level it and secure it in place withAnchor Points™.
Spacing your frames: Cut 2 pieces of low adhesive tape (painter’s tape or SpacerTape™) identical in size. Place one directly against the right and left edge of the frame already on the wall.
Position the laser level: Turn on the laser and while holding it against the wall, move it up and down until you get a straight line running right across the top of the frame already on the wall. Once you have the right spot, push the SureGrip button to secure it on the wall. Adjust the position of the laser, the light will turn green when it’s leveled.
Hang your next frame: Using Hang & Level, line up the second frame with the end of the tape and the top with the laser line. Remove the frame from the tool, mark the spot, hammer the nail in and hang your picture.
Completing your display: Repeat the steps above to hang the last frame. Once you are done, remove the laser level and the spacing tape from the wall.
About the frames
We used identical frames in this example, but you can use the same steps to hang items of different sizes, just line up the tops or bottoms of the frames using the laser line as a guide.
If you’ve shopped for framed art or picture frames lately you’ve probably noticed that many of them come fitted with two D-rings which can be quite challenging to hang. But don’t let that discourage you from buying the artwork you want. Simply wrap picture wire around the D-rings and you’ll have the option of hanging your piece with 1 nail instead of 2.
To keep your frame from moving, she recommends placing rubber bumpers on the bottom corners, anchor points work as well.
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
Looking for a quick way to decorate your walls that won’t cost a fortune? Here’s one that cost less than $70 and took only minutes to put together.
We bought 3 frames and wrapping paper at Walmart. Yes, gift wraping paper. We picked the bright daisies to add a fun and energetic touch to the walls and to the space. You can frame anything that appeals to you. Try pages of your favorite calendar, kids art, wallpaper, maps, or magazine covers; the possibilities are endless. Stay away from anything with linear or geometric patterns that requires precise lining up. It will be too fussy and time consuming to frame.
Have fun! And if this project inspires you to try your own, send us a picture – we’d love to see it.
Cut the gift-wrap the same size as the back of the frame. It will sit nicely between the backing and the glass without needing to be glued.
Cut a thin piece of cardboard the same size as the backing, to make sure the metal tabs on the back fit tightly under the frame. This prevents the backing from sliding when the frame is hanging.
The frames we bought were fitted with 2 small D-rings. We installed a picture wire through the rings, which made them easier to hang.
Voilà! Done!
With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, customize this look further by framing pictures of hearts for a fun and romantic look.
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
When it comes to hanging pictures, the standard rule of ‘hang at eye level’ can be pretty confusing. Especially if you’re 5’6″ and your partner is 6’4″.
Whose Eye Level is the right choice? His or Hers?
If she hung all the pictures at her eye level – that’s what it would look like.
On the other hand, can you imagine if he was to hang all the artwork in the house at his eye level? She’d get a sore neck trying to see them.
So who is right? Him or Her?.
For the sake of domestic bliss, and beautifully decorated walls, it’s not about winning. Instead, it’s about finding the perfect height that everyone will be happy with – so meet in the middle.
Here’s How
For pictures that will be viewed from a standing position such as in hallways or an entryway, the best rule of thumb is to position your artwork so the center hangs at 60″ to 66″ from the floor. This never fail rule works for everyone.
Okay, admit it – when you go to someone’s house and there’s a mirror by the front door, you sneak a peek at yourself, don’t you? It’s all right, most of us do.
From a decorating perspective, mirrors reflect daylight which means your entrance space will appear larger and brighter than it actually is. Mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, so you can have fun picking one that will match your wall space the best. For an alternative to putting holes in your walls, consider decorating with a floor mirror, just lean it against the wall.
That being said, you don’t need to be afraid of hanging a large mirror or making those holes. It’s easy when you know how. Here’s how we did it:
Have your helper hold the mirror while you step back and determine the right placement on the wall.
Once you have the right spot, mark the position of one corner of the mirror with a couple of pieces of low adhesive tape.
2. Find the spot for the first screw
Start with the side opposite the tape, place the D-ring onto the single hook of the Hang & Level tool. (Note: if the tool’s handle doesn’t clear the top of the frame, move the D-Rings up).
With your helper, place the frame and tool against the wall. Line up the corner of the mirror with the tape on the wall to make sure it’s in the right spot.
Use a small level on top of the mirror to make sure it’s straight.
3. Install the first screw
Once the frame is in the right spot, keep the tool on the wall while your helper takes the mirror down.
Press the single button to mark where the screw goes.
Tip: To make sure the drill bit goes in the right spot, you can enlarge the hole by tapping the screw into the hole with a hammer.
Drill a hole directly into the mark and insert a plastic anchor.
Install the first screw, but only ½ way in. This will make it easier to hang on the D-ring when you’re ready to find the spot for the second screw.
4. Find the spot for the second screw
With your helper, place the mirror back on the wall, and hang it on the first screw. Place the other D-Ring onto the single hook of the Hang & Level.
Place a level on top of the frame, and move the Hang & Level vertically until the bubble is in the middle, to ensure it’s straight.
Have your partner remove the frame while you keep the tool in place, and press the single button to mark the spot.
5. Install the second screw & hang your mirror
Repeat the steps above to install the second anchor and screw.
Tighten both screws, leaving enough exposed to catch on the D-rings.
With your helper, hang the mirror onto the two screws and remove the tape from the wall.
Enjoy!
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
Let’s face it, you don’t always have someone around to help you hang pictures. Hang & Level makes it easy for you to take care of the job all by yourself, even when you have big, heavy or awkward pieces. Here’s how:
Find the right spot on the wall for your piece.
Holding the tool and the frame on the wall, use a pencil to trace the V-shape notch at the top of the tool.
Remove both the tool and the frame from the wall and take the frame off the tool. Return just the tool on the wall, and line up the bottom of the V-notch with the mark you made.
Once it’s back in the same spot, press the button to mark exactly where the nail goes.
Hammer in the nail in the mark made by Hang & Level.
Hang your frame and level it using the tool. You’re done! Click here to view a video How-To…
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
An often neglected area for decorating are those tall skinny walls most of us have in our homes. Found between windows in the living room, next to the entrance or powder room, or at the end of a hallway, these spaces don’t need to go undecorated. A tall skinny wall makes the perfect background to hang artwork or even mirrors to reflect the daylight. The best thing about this look is that there are no rules, and there’s one easy way to hang your display – from the bottom up.
About the look
The ceiling height, size of pieces and the amount of spacing between pieces will determine how many items you’ll need. We took the arrangement all the way to the ceiling, you don’t have to. Hang 3 or 4 pieces, it’s your choice.
In this image, the bright yellow chair sets the tone. Center it on the wall, and determine how much space to leave between your chair and art. 2 inches was perfect for our display.
An easy way to perfect a multiple frame display is to lay them out on the floor to determine the best possible arrangement before hanging. Imagine a vertical line running through the middle of your display. Check that items on either side of that line are visually equal in weight. Balance colored items, light and dark pieces and different shapes for both sides. Move the pieces around until you find the right combination. This will also help you determine the right spacing between each piece.
When you think you have it, take a snapshot – yes, of all the frames on the floor. Hop on a chair and take the picture looking straight down. You’ll be amazed how this will help you notice things that you didn’t see the first time. A simple tip that will save you time and potential mistakes holes too.
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
If your piece is heavy, and fitted with a picture wire, use 2 hooks or nails to equally distribute the weight when you hang it. Not only will the frame be more secure on the wall, it will also hang straighter than if you used only one nail.
Additionally, if you’re hanging a series of pictures horizontally, the 2 nails will allow you to easily adjust the spacing between pictures by sliding the art back and forth on the nails without having to reposition them.
When you’re happy with the placement, simply stick Anchor Points on the bottom of your frames to keep them nice and straight – you’ll never have to waste time leveling them again.
At Under The Roof Decorating, we make picture hanging easy. Our innovative products as well as helpful tips and tricks make it simple to hang pictures where you want them – the first time!
About the look
