X

How to properly hang art, every single time

Tired of stressing over where or how to hang your wall art? Don't fret.

Taylor Martin CNET Contributor
Taylor Martin has covered technology online for over six years. He has reviewed smartphones for Pocketnow and Android Authority and loves building stuff on his YouTube channel, MOD. He has a dangerous obsession with coffee and is afraid of free time.
Taylor Martin
2 min read
James Martin/CNET

Hanging art on your walls can be a nerve-wracking process, especially if you're even the tiniest bit of a perfectionist. You don't want to litter the wall with holes trying to get it right.

Chances are, you've been doing it wrong all along. Let us help you hang wall art properly the first time... every time.

Watch this: Build a gallery wall perfectly every time

The tools and supplies you'll need:

screen-shot-2018-08-07-at-12-09-10-pm
Chris Parker/CNET

How to hang art perfectly

Step 1: Place the frame you want to hang on a piece of craft paper. Using a pencil or pen, trace around the frame and cut out the template.

screen-shot-2018-08-07-at-12-11-05-pm
Chris Parker/CNET

Step 2: Mark on the paper where the frame's hanging hardware is. Then measure the distance between the top of the frame and the hanging point.

screen-shot-2018-08-07-at-12-12-42-pm
Chris Parker/CNET

Step 3: Transfer that measurement to the paper.

screen-shot-2018-08-07-at-12-13-10-pm
Chris Parker/CNET

Step 4: Use painter's tape to temporarily adhere the template to the wall.

screen-shot-2018-08-07-at-12-04-21-pm
Chris Parker/CNET

Step 5: Take a step back and examine the template to make sure that spot is where you want to hang the art before you nail.

If that spot looks and feels right, nail into the center of the mark you made on the template.

nail-photo
Chris Parker/CNET

Step 6: Tear away the template and tape. Hang up your art and check that it is level.

screen-shot-2018-08-07-at-12-31-03-pm
Chris Parker/CNET

And you're done! If you've done this correctly, you will have avoided multiple attempts at hanging the art and littering your wall with holes.

Now that the stress of hanging art is gone, it's time to look for new, affordable art for your walls.

Or consider giving your home a makeover without spending a fortune.