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How to hang a picture

Lounge room with a couch with cushions on it, a picture hanging on the wall and a coffee table in it

Overview

Pictures, artwork and framed photos add sparkle, warmth and personality to any home. It’s worth the time and effort spent hanging them up, whether you’re in your own home or renting. We’re sharing this guide on the best way to hang a variety of artwork.

Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses and gloves for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment.

Steps

  1. 1

    Choose your spot

    The first thing to do is decide where you would like to hang your picture. Before you put anything into the wall, hold the picture up against the wall and decide where you’d like it to go. Generally, it’s best to keep artwork at eye level and out of direct sunlight to prevent it from fading.

    A Bunnings Team Member holding a picture against a wall
  2. 2

    Mark the corners of the picture frame

    Once you’re happy with the positioning, grab a pencil and mark the top corners of the picture frame.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: If you have a few pictures to hang or if you are creating a gallery wall, cut out pieces of paper the same size as the artworks, add reusable adhesive onto the paper and arrange into a layout you’re happy with.
    A Bunnings Team Member holding a pencil against a wall above a picture
  3. 3

    Measure the length of the string

    Measure the distance from the top of your frame to the anchor point of the string or wire when it is extended as far as it will stretch. (Mimic how it will stretch when hanging on the wall.)

    A Bunnings Team Member holding a piece of string on the back of a picture frame
  4. 4

    Find the centre point of the markings

    On the wall, measure the centre between the left and right corner marks you made earlier – this will help ensure the artwork is centred correctly when placed on the wall.

    A Bunnings Team Member holding a pencil and a tape measure against a wall
  5. 5

    Mark the length of string on the wall

    Using the distance between the top of your frame to the anchor point, measure this distance from the centre point on the wall and create a mark – this is where you will place the picture hook.

    A Bunnings Team Member holding a tape measure and a pencil against a wall
  6. 6

    Select the right picture hook – consider the weight and surface

    Once you have the position for your picture, weigh it (or estimate its weight), and look at the type of surface you’ll be hanging it on – plasterboard, masonry or timber, for example. Use this to determine the best type of hook for hanging.

    If you have a very heavy picture (more than 20kg), you’ll need to mount it directly into a stud (use a stud finder for this), rather than just the plasterboard. If the picture is less than 20kg, you’ll have more options available to you.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: If your wall is plasterboard and you have a heavy picture you want to hang in a place that doesn’t have a stud nearby, you can use claw picture hangers. The claw is pushed directly into the plasterboard, creates a very small hole, and can hold pictures up to 20kg.
    A Bunnings Team Member holding a packet of picture hooks and claw hooks
  7. 7

    Select the right picture hook – consider permanence

    If you’re happy to hang your photo or artwork in a more permanent position, then go ahead and make a hole in the wall’s surface – preferably into a stud. Use a stud finder to locate the stud before hammering a nail directly into it and securing the anchor to the wall.

    Green Bunnings hammer
    Tip: This method is ideal for pictures heavier than 20kg.
    A person holding a claw picture hanger against a wall
  8. 8

    Select the right picture hook – advice for renters

    If you’re renting or don’t want to make any holes in your walls, stick-on hooks can hang lighter items reliably and safely. This is a flexible option that allows you to move the picture any time you’d like to, without leaving any damage behind.

    To apply these hooks, clean the surface of the wall with some sugar soap or isopropyl alcohol, let it dry thoroughly and then peel the sticker and press the hook firmly onto the wall. Hold it there for a few minutes and then leave it for a few hours before hanging your picture.

    A Bunnings Team Member holding adhesive hook against a wall
  9. 9

    Ready to get started?

    Head in-store to get what you need for the perfect picture-hanging solution. First things first, though – make sure your walls are prepped and ready. Check out our guide on how to fix a hole in the wall.

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Health & Safety

Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.

When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.