How to arrange frames artfully

Make the most of your artworks and mirrors by placing them beautifully on the wall, in the best way possible, so that your home looks neat and stylish. 

Get the right hooks

Choose the hook that’s right for the weight of your frame. Heavier frames will require sturdier hooks, so be sure to have a clear idea of what weight frames you’re dealing with when you buy your hooks.

Level up

Secure frames properly on the wall by using picture triangles instead of wire. Opt for two picture triangles set on either side of a frame so that it stays level. Always use a spirit level and lightly mark the right spots on the wall to ensure you set a frame correctly the first time.

Spacing counts

Avoid placing your artwork too high on the wall. This is a common mistake that’s likely borne of the assumption that the higher it goes, the more visible it will be. On the contrary, artwork needn’t be high at all. Consider the balance in a room first before setting your artwork on the wall.

Always set your frames about five centimetres apart, especially larger ones. For smaller frames, you might go slightly closer, but make sure you keep that spacing quite uniform.

Our Master Craftsman Sibley McAdam is also a respected painter (artwork featured above). Read his remarkable story at ArtTimes. 

3 Steps to easy frame layout

Follow these easy steps to create a feature wall filled with frames: 

1. Test out your frame layout by first placing them out on the floor. This way, you will be able to mix them up to get a good idea of what frames work well beside one another, and how they balance as a whole.

2. Next, create templates by tracing your frames on old newspaper sheets which you can then cut out and stick on the wall. Move until you are happy with the balance.

3. Once you are satisfied, use a spirit level to get that template level before adding the nails through each frame template. This will ensure your frame layout is exactly the way you plan it.

Image credit

See more tips on hanging pictures on our Pinterest board.