The Best Ways to Hang Up Heavy Paintings & Artwork

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Expert-backed ways to hang up pictures without mess or damage
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Heavy pictures and wall decor require a bit more than a hammer and nail to hang up in order to prevent them from falling and damaging your wall. Luckily, there are plenty of simple solutions to hang up paintings weighing over 20 lbs (9 kg), which are also easy to install! With the help of home improvement specialists and handymen, we’ll explain all the best ways to hang heavy pictures. We’ll also give you some expert-backed tips on how to hang your artwork at the proper height, too. Keep reading to learn more!

How do I hang a heavy picture?

DIY specialist David Julien recommends hanging heavy pictures on a wall stud. Simply use a stud finder to locate a stud and drill a picture hanger into the wall. Other effective solutions for hanging a heavy picture include using an anchor screw, a monkey hook, or a French cleat.

Section 1 of 2:

Ways to Hang a Heavy Picture

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  1. For heavier pictures, DIY specialist David Julien says it’s best to secure a screw or picture hanger into a stud. [1] Studs are the wooden support braces behind the wall, making them more supportive to hang things on than plain drywall. Most studs are placed about every 16 inches (40.6 cm) along the wall. Find a wall stud using a stud finder , or by gently tapping the wall until you hear a solid, rather than a hollow, sound, says handyman Jason Phillip. [2]
    • If your picture is narrower than 16 inches (40.6 cm) , hammer the picture hanger into the wall stud. Choose a hanger that uses several nails for added strength. Then, hang your picture on the hanger. [3] If hanging on a plaster wall, make sure you use a hanger that uses screws, not nails.
    • If your picture is wider than 16 inches (40.6 cm) , or the distance between 2 studs in your wall, use a level and 2 screws to screw a narrow piece of wood into the wall. Make sure the screws are in at least 2 studs for extra strength. Then, fasten picture hangers into the wood at your desired intervals using nails or screws, depending on what the fastener requires. Then, hang the picture across both picture hangers. [4]
    • Note : It can be difficult to find studs in plaster walls, so consider a different method if you have trouble.

    Meet the wikiHow Experts

    David Julien is a DIY specialist and principal owner of Nice DIY in Quebec, Canada.

    Jason Phillip is a handyman with over 8 years of experience in the industry.

    Peter Salerno is an installation expert with over 20 years of experience installing art and other decor items.

    Patrick Johns is a home improvement specialist with over 28 years of experience in the industry.

  2. Use anchor screws . If you can’t hang your picture on a stud, Phillip says anchors are the next best thing. [5] Simply choose an anchor rated for the weight of your picture. Then, screw or drill the anchor into the wall , which may require a pilot hole to start. Once the anchor is flush with the wall, slip your picture hanger onto the screw and then twist or drill the screw through the anchor. This causes the sides of the anchor to split in 2 behind the wall, which helps distribute the weight of the painting better. Then, hang the painting. [6]
    • Alternatively, insert the screw into the anchor without a picture hanger and simply hang your painting on the screw.
    • Use metal anchor screws for paintings over 20 lbs (9 kg), as the metal material is stronger and adds more security. Plastic anchor screws may work for paintings under 20 lbs (9 kg), as the material is less sturdy and better for lighter weights.
    • For drywall, choose anchors with wings that expand out behind the wall. For plaster walls, choose anchors without wings, as they grip the plaster well.
    • Always follow the directions that come with your anchor screws , as different brands and styles may have different directions.
    • Always use anchor screws on plaster walls to prevent damage. Picture hangers and nails aren’t usually enough to support the painting.
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  3. Traditional picture hangers are easy to use and, as a plus, cause minimal damage to your wall. Heavy-duty hangers can hold pictures from 20 to 100 lbs (9-45 kg) and are usually attached with 2 to 3 nails for extra security. Simply hammer or screw the picture hanger into the wall using the hardware that comes with the kit. Then, hang your picture on the hanger. [7]
    • Do not push the limits of the hangers, as pictures that are too heavy for the hanger may fall off the wall and cause damage. Only use hangers that can withstand the weight of your picture.
    • To be on the safe side, installation expert Peter Salerno recommends cutting the weight rating on the hardware in half. For instance, if the picture hanger says it can safely hang up to 100 lbs (45 kg), he would only hang paintings up to 50 lbs (22 kg) on it. [8]
    • If you’re installing picture hangers on a plaster wall, attach them with anchor screws.
  4. 4
    Use a monkey hook. Like picture hangers, monkey hooks are super easy to install and only make a small hole in the wall. Just make sure to get a hook that supports the weight of your painting—many hooks can support 35 to 50 lbs (15-22 kg). To install, push and twist the long end of the hardware into the wall. Keep pushing until only the hook is left on the outside of the wall. Then, hang your painting. [9]
  5. Toggle bolts and molly bolts work similarly to anchor screws, except they’re considered a bit more heavy-duty. Home improvement specialist Patrick Johns says just be warned that these bolts create large holes in your wall. If you ever decide to take the bolt out, you’ll have a large hole to fill . [10]
    • To install a toggle bolt : Drill a hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the toggle bolt. Then, slide your picture hanger onto the screw. Fold down the spring-loaded wings and insert the bolt into the hole. Let go, and the wings will spread out behind the drywall. Then, tighten the screw into the wall with a screwdriver. [11]
    • To install a molly bolt : Drill a hole slightly smaller than the diameter of the molly bolt. Slide your picture hanger onto the bolt and hammer it into the hole. Then, use a screwdriver to tighten the screw. The metal support behind the bolt will flare out on the other side of the drywall as you tighten the screw. [12]
    • Toggle bolts and molly bolts are typically the best choice for plaster walls.
  6. 6
    Hang the painting with a French cleat. A French cleat is a set of 2 wooden or metal pieces that are cut at a 45° angle so they lock together. And according to Salerno, they’re a handy way to mount heavy objects. [13] Attach the piece that’s angled upwards to the wall with anchor screws. Then, center the piece that’s angled downward along the top edge of the back of your painting. Screw or glue the piece in place and simply hook it over the wall piece to hang up your painting. [14]
    • According to home improvement specialist Ryaan Tuttle, you can either buy a pre-made French cleat at any hardware store or make your own out of a 2x4 piece of wood that you cut in half at a 45° angle. [15]
    • Use a level to ensure both cleat pieces are put on straight so the system works properly.
    • Make sure you use anchor screws that are rated to support the weight of your painting.
  7. 7
    Install a picture rail hanging system. Many galleries use a picture rail hanging system to display their artwork. The system consists of a track that you attach along the top of the wall and cable pieces that hook onto the track. Simply attach hooks to the ends of the cables to hang up your paintings. While this is a more involved system to install, it’s a great option if you plan to hang up a lot of artwork in your home. You can easily move and adjust the height of your paintings, and switch out artwork without placing holes in the wall. [16]
    • Follow the directions that come with your hanging system to install it properly. This typically involves using anchor screws to attach the rail a few inches below your ceiling. Then, clip on the cables, attach the hooks, and hang your painting.
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Section 2 of 2:

Positioning Your Heavy Picture

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  1. Screws, anchors, hangers, and hooks are all rated to support a certain weight limit. So, it’s important to weigh your painting to make sure you get the appropriate hanging tools. Simply place your painting on a bathroom scale to find out its exact weight.
    • Pictures up to 10 lbs (4.5 kg) are considered light loads, 10 to 25 lbs (4.5-11 kg) are considered medium loads, and 25+ lbs (11+ kg) are considered heavy loads.
    • Always check the packaging on your wall fastener before using it, as it gives a weight range for intended use.
  2. Most modern homes are made out of drywall. If your home is from the 1940s or earlier, it may have plaster walls instead. [17] Many homes also have brick, concrete, stone, and ceramic walls, but you can still hang paintings from these walls.
    • Anchor screws are your best bet when hanging pictures on brick, concrete, or ceramic tile. Just use a masonry drill bit to create the pilot hole for the screw, then install it like normal. [18]
    • When drilling into ceramic tile, make sure to place a piece of painter's tape over the desired spot for the hole so the drill does not slide around.
  3. Find a spot where you want to hang your picture (or mirror or other piece of decor) and hold it against the wall. Consider hanging the center of the picture at eye-level height, or around 57 to 60 in (1.4-1.5 m) from the floor, which is the general rule of thumb. [19] Then, mark the top of the frame with a pencil or a piece of painter's tape.
  4. Use a measuring tape to determine where on the wall you need to attach the screw, hanger, or hook to hang the picture at your desired height. How you measure this point depends on the type of hanger attached to the back of your painting:
    • If the frame has a sawtooth hanger , D-ring, or other metal loop on the back , simply measure from the top of the frame to the top of the hardware. Then, measure this distance down from the previous mark you made on the wall. Mark this new spot in pencil with an “X.” This is where you’ll drill or nail a fastener into the wall. [20]
    • If the frame has a wire across the back , Julien says to pull up on the center of the wire with the tape measure so the wire is taut. Measure from this point to the top of the frame. Then, measure this distance down from the original mark you made on the wall. Mark this new spot in pencil with an “X.” This is where you will drill or nail a fastener into the wall. [21]
  5. Hanging a picture from 2 points on the wall is especially recommended for heavy pieces of artwork. Simply attach 2 hangers on either side of your painting and install 2 fasteners on the wall that match their placement. Or, if the frame hangs from a wire, use 2 fingers to hold the wire at the desired hanging points. The farther apart they are, the more stable the painting will hang. Then, measure from these 2 points to the top of the frame with a tape measure. Simply transfer the measurement to the wall using a pencil.
    • As another option, hold a scrap piece of wood about half the width of the frame under the hanging wire to determine the 2 hanging points. The 2 corners of the wood will be where you will hang the fasteners. Measure the distance between the wood and the top of the frame using a tape measure, and place the wood on the wall underneath your original mark using that measure. Then, Phillip says to use a level to make sure it is even and draw a line across the top of the wood. [22] The two endpoints of the line will be where you hang your 2 fasteners.
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  • Question
    My picture is 13.5 lbs. What should I use to hang it? Is an eyelet and picture wire strong enough?
    Community Answer
    Yes. I have that holding up a 15 lb mirror in my room. It is definitely strong enough.
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  • Question
    How do I hang heavy mirrors on reinforced concrete walls?
    Community Answer
    Both the mirror and the installation need to be protected by proper mounting technique. There are mirror mounting brackets, which you can obtain from a home store or form local glass suppliers, which grab the edges of the glass once they are installed. There is a framework behind which is bolted or screwed to the wall. You will need a masonry bit and some luck to avoid hitting any reinforcing in the wall.
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  • Question
    How can I position the wire?
    Community Answer
    If you are using a nail, put a fork on that nail then put the picture on and remove the fork.
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      • If your picture keeps slipping and tilting on the wall, remove it from the wall and apply plastic bumpers to each of the four corners of the frame. This grips it to the wall, which helps prevent it from going askew. [23]
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      References

      1. ↑ David Julien. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ Jason Phillip. Handyman. Expert Interview
      3. ↑ https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/hang-pictures-on-a-wall
      4. ↑ https://www.nytimes.com/1983/03/20/nyregion/home-clinic-hang-heavy-pictures-and-mirrors-with-an-eye-to-safety.html
      5. ↑ Jason Phillip. Handyman. Expert Interview
      6. ↑ https://youtu.be/dAUOWspbPUo?si=LaWemKN5ZeaOXTGM&t=67
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/OR-Yb6ro_hg?si=PKGAv10oDk9r_JNw&t=93
      8. ↑ Peter Salerno. Installation Expert. Expert Interview
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/STiJxtkNckI?si=Z9lxHNygpYbljebw&t=47
      1. ↑ Patrick Johns. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
      2. ↑ https://youtu.be/USAtZb61zN0?si=eTcQB69Q5PNJ2jIZ&t=331
      3. ↑ https://youtu.be/6CO2-4rTOs0?si=_rQnVMUeIwDbgeKz&t=39
      4. ↑ Peter Salerno. Installation Expert. Expert Interview
      5. ↑ https://youtu.be/eCJmaCRpiFM?si=Kr5q_tIJ_4zVqNTY&t=20
      6. ↑ Ryaan Tuttle. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/3GvGRIq_7ZY?si=LD-0ltiguTw9l0oq&t=2
      8. ↑ https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/07/an-exciting-history-of-drywall/493502/
      9. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-hang-a-heavy-mirror/#.VgYl7u1Viko
      10. ↑ https://www.homesandgardens.com/interior-design/how-high-to-hang-pictures
      11. ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-hang-a-picture
      12. ↑ David Julien. DIY Specialist. Expert Interview
      13. ↑ Jason Phillip. Handyman. Expert Interview
      14. ↑ https://www.popularmechanics.com/home/interior-projects/how-to/a3122/the-proper-way-to-hang-a-picture-10792209/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to hang a heavy picture on drywall and plaster, try your best to find a stud in the wall near where you want the picture to hang. Anchoring your picture to a stud will give it the best possible support, since it’s a lot stronger than just drywall. Studs are spaced about every 16 inches behind a wall, so gently tap on the wall until you hear a solid sound, rather than a hollow one. In the case where your studs aren’t where you want your picture to be, screw a traditional picture hanger into the drywall to hang pictures that weigh 25 pounds or less. For pictures that weigh up to 50 pounds, you can use 2 hangers spaced evenly along the back of the picture. To hang really heavy pictures on plaster walls, use a toggle bolt by drilling a hole in the wall, pushing the bolt’s wings into the hole, and tightening the screw. For more help, including how to install molly bolts, read on.

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