No-stress picture hanging: How to hang and level picture frames easily with painter’s tape
Hanging a picture frame so it's perfectly level can be an exercise in trial and error. But it doesn't have to be.
Luckily, you can save yourself the frustration and achieve perfectly aligned and level frames by using one simple item - painter’s tape!
Whether you're a DIY enthusiast or a seasoned decorator, hanging and leveling those treasured mementos with painter's tape is not only easy to master, it ensures hassle-free installation without damaging your walls. What’s more, you can use this quick trick to perfectly place that one cherished piece of artwork or create stunning gallery walls with multiple pieces, all without breaking a sweat or marring your living space. Here’s how to hang and level your picture frames the easy way using painter’s tape.
How to hang picture frames with painter's tape
Trim a piece of painter's tape that’s long enough to cover the space where you plan to place the nails.
Mark or poke a hole in your painter’s tape where your nails need to go.
Place the painter's tape on the wall.
Ensure the tape is level using a bubble or laser level. If the tape isn’t perfectly level, make minor adjustments to the tape as needed. This is the most important step in ensuring your frame will be level when hung.
You can also utilize the tape to center your picture frame on the wall.
If you're hanging multiple frames or creating a gallery wall, use additional pieces of painter's tape to create a mockup on the wall. This helps you visualize the arrangement before making permanent installations.
For lightweight frames, you can hammer nails directly through the marked spots on the painter's tape and into the wall.
Once the frame is securely in place, gently tear the painter's tape away from the wall and nail(s).
Hang your frame.
Double-check the frame's alignment using a level to ensure it's perfectly straight.
The same painter’s tape method can be used with adhesive hanging strips. Instead of marking nail holes, level the painter’s tape on the wall and align the frame with the bottom of the tape. Attach the adhesive strips to the frame and then stick the frame to the wall, holding it firmly in place before releasing it. Remove the painter’s tape from the wall once the frame is hung.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to hang a picture: use painter's tape to decorate a space
