Tools required: 

Pencil, tape measure, 
For hanging multiple frames in a grid/ montage: measure, brown paper (or any spare rolls of paper, such as wallpaper or wrapping paper), scissors, compass or tough needle point, blue or white tack.

Step 1

Choose where you want to hang your picture(s)

Tips: 

• Avoid hanging in direct sunlight: the UV rays will damage the artwork. 
• Avoid hanging above radiators or fireplaces: the heat may cause the materials to expand and contract, damaging the frame. 
• Avoid damp rooms like bathrooms: moisture will damage the materials and the artwork. 

Step 2

The standard height galleries hang pictures is 156cm from the floor to the centre of the image, but you may need to adapt if your walls are out of the ordinary. 

Choose a wall that suits the size of your picture if you’re hanging one by itself. A small picture will look insignificant if hung solo on a large wall. A large picture hung on a small wall will look cramped and awkward.

Hanging multiple pictures looks great in a grid format, but make sure the gaps between are equal. A good way to test out before knocking holes in your wall is to place your pictures on brown or any large/ rolled paper, carefully outline the frames in pencil (avoid marking the frame with the pencil lead), and then cut the outline out, and blue-tack to your wall. Do this for each frame in the multiple picture hang, adjusting the layout until you are happy. 
Depending on which hanging method you choose (see later in this article), finish the process off by measuring on the frame where the hanging points will be (method 1 will require one fixing point that string will hang from, so make sure the string is taut as you find the point where the frame will hang from. Transfer the measurement to the paper plan for each frame, and you can use a point to pierce through the paper and into the wall to mark where each fixing will go. (You can try tapping nail-based fixings right through the paper and then pull the paper off, but this can snag the paper and leave annoying shreds stuck on the fixing. The frame will hide it, but it’s potentially a bother to get rid of if you change your mind about where you want to hang.)

Step 3

Apply fixings to your wall. Which fixing to use depends on what type of wall you have. Read the next section for guidance on fixings and hanging methods.