Hang it Like a Pro! Your Easy Guide to Displaying Pet Portraits (and Any Art!)
You've Got the Art, Now Let's Get it Right!
Yay! Your beautiful new framed wall art from West Oak Pet Photography has arrived – maybe it's that gorgeous portrait of your furry best friend you've been so excited about! Now comes the part that sometimes feels a little daunting: getting it up on the wall perfectly. We've all been there – the measuring, the guessing, the extra nail holes, the slightly crooked frame that bugs you every time you walk by…
But what if hanging pictures could be easy, accurate, and maybe even... fun? Good news – it absolutely can be! Forget the frustration. I'm here to share a simple, step-by-step guide, plus info on the amazing hardware included with my art and a couple of other tools I find indispensable, that will have you hanging your treasured pet portraits (and any other artwork!) like a seasoned pro in no time. Let's get those walls looking amazing!
Step 1: Finding the Sweet Spot - Placement Perfection
Before you grab any tools, let's figure out where your masterpiece should live. Placement makes a huge difference in how your art looks and feels in the room. Here are the key guidelines the pros use:
The 57-Inch Rule (Eye Level is Key!): This is the golden rule used in galleries and museums. Aim to hang your artwork so that the center of the piece is 57 inches from the floor. Why? This height represents the average human eye level, making it the most comfortable viewing height for most people. It prevents viewers from having to crane their necks up or stoop down, creating a sense of balance.
Hanging Above Furniture: Got a sofa, console table, headboard, or fireplace mantle? The 57-inch rule often gets adjusted here. Generally, you'll want the bottom edge of your frame to be about 6 to 8 inches above the top of the furniture. This creates a visual connection, making the art and furniture feel like a cohesive unit rather than separate floating elements.
Creating a Gallery Wall: Hanging multiple pieces? Think of the entire grouping as one single unit. Center the whole arrangement around that 57-inch eye-level line. Crucially, keep the spacing between frames consistent – usually 2 to 3 inches apart works well visually. Pro Tip: Before committing to nail holes, lay out your frames on the floor to play with the arrangement, or trace each frame onto craft paper and tape the templates to the wall to visualize the layout.
Step 2: Gearing Up - Your Picture Hanging Toolkit
Having the right tools makes any job easier. Here's what you'll need, including the fantastic hardware that comes standard with my framed art, plus two optional tools for extra precision:
The Basics (Often Included or Simplified!):
Hanging Hardware: My framed wall art comes standard with Beehive Picture Hangers already attached! These revolutionary hangers make measuring almost obsolete! (More on how to use them below). For very heavy pieces, traditional wire or D-rings might be used instead.
Level: Essential for ensuring your art is straight. A small bubble level or a level app on your phone works.
Pencil: For marking the wall lightly, if needed.
(Optional) Tape Measure: While Beehive Hangers minimize measuring, a tape measure is still useful for initial placement planning (like the 57-inch rule or spacing above furniture).
Optional Pro-Recommended Tools (For Extra Precision or Complex Layouts):
Go Hang It! Pro: This gadget is fantastic if you're hanging art with traditional sawtooth or wire hangers (not the Beehive ones) and find marking tricky.
What it is: An all-in-one tool designed to help you position and mark nail holes accurately for traditional hardware, often without needing a tape measure.
Why I Love It: Its MagnetKeys mark sawtooth spots perfectly, it holds wires securely for marking, has a built-in level, and even includes basic hardware. It eliminates guesswork for traditional hangers.
How to Use (Quick Guide for Traditional Hardware):
Sawtooth/D-Ring: Insert MagneKeys into frame hardware. Place frame on wall with level attached. Level it, then push frame corners to mark wall.
Wire: Extend tool if needed. Hang wire on tool's hooks. Position frame on wall with level. Remove frame (keeping tool on wall). Mark nail spot(s) using push pin through hook guides.
Self-Leveling Cross Line Laser Level: For ultimate precision, especially with gallery walls or aligning multiple pieces perfectly.
What it is: Projects perfectly straight, bright laser lines (horizontal and vertical) onto your wall and it automatically levels itself.
Why I Love It: Provides a hands-free, constant level reference line across the wall, saving time and ensuring professional-looking alignment, especially for complex layouts.
How to Use (Quick Guide): Place the laser on a stable surface (tripod recommended). Turn it on and let it self-level. Align the horizontal laser line with your desired hanging height (e.g., the 57" center line, or where the tops/bottoms of frames should align). Use the projected line as your guide for marking.
Understanding Your Hardware (Beehive Hangers - The Standard!):
The Beehive Picture Hangers included with my art are designed to make hanging incredibly simple and adjustable.
How they work: These metal honeycomb-shaped plates attach to the top corners of your frame. They have small points on the front. You simply position your frame on the wall, press firmly on the top corners, and these points leave tiny marks exactly where the support pins need to go. You then insert the special support pins into the wall at those marks. The frame then hangs securely on these pins.
The Magic: The honeycomb design offers dozens of holes (68 on the Original, 143 on the Max). If your frame isn't perfectly level or positioned after hanging, you just lift it slightly and shift it to a different hole on the hanger – up, down, left, or right – until it's perfect, all without moving the pins in the wall!
Weight & Wall Type: Beehive support pins are designed for standard drywall and can typically hold up to 20-30 lbs per set, which covers most framed art. No need to find studs for most pieces!
Step 3: Hang Time! - Putting it All Together
Alright, you've planned your placement and gathered your tools. Let's hang that art!
Prepare the Frame:
Check the back of your framed art from West Oak Pet Photography. You should see the Beehive Hangers attached to the top corners (unless it's a very heavy piece with wire/D-rings).
Position and Mark (Beehive Method):
Hold the frame against the wall exactly where you want it. Use your level on top of the frame to get it straight.
Once positioned and level, firmly press the top corners of the frame against the wall. Apply enough pressure so the small points on the front of the Beehive Hangers leave small indentations/marks on the drywall. Gently wiggling the corners while pressing can help make the marks more visible.
Install Support Pins (Beehive Method):
Take the provided Support Pins. You might receive a small "Stinger" tool to help insert them.
Insert the short end of a support pin into the Stinger (if using) or hold the pin directly. Press the pin firmly into the wall mark you made, ensuring you insert it at a slight downward angle so the rectangular plate sits parallel to the wall.
Repeat for the second mark/pin.
Hang & Adjust (Beehive Method):
Carefully lift your frame and align the Beehive Hangers over the support pins in the wall. Lower the frame so it rests securely on the pins.
Step back and check the level and position. If it needs adjustment, simply lift the frame slightly off the pins and shift it to different holes in the honeycomb hangers until it's perfect. No re-nailing needed!
(Alternative) Mark & Install (Traditional/Laser Level Method): If using traditional hardware or a laser level for precise alignment:
Find Hanging Point: Measure the distance from the top of the wire/sawtooth/D-ring down to the top edge of the frame.
Mark Wall: Use your laser level line or manual measurements to determine the exact spot for your nail/hook based on your desired frame height and the hanging point measurement. Mark lightly with a pencil.
Install Hardware: Hammer in your nail (at a slight downward angle) or install your hook/anchor securely.
Hang & Level: Place the frame on the hardware. Use your level to check and adjust. Add felt pads/sticky tack to bottom corners to prevent shifting if needed.
Stand Back and Admire Your Handiwork!
You did it! See? Hanging pictures, especially with helpful hardware like Beehive Hangers, doesn't have to be a stressful ordeal. With a little planning and the right approach, you can confidently display your artwork and achieve that polished, professional look in your own home.
Now, stand back and enjoy the view! Seeing those cherished pet portraits finally up on the wall, perfectly placed and level, brings such warmth and personality to your space. It truly celebrates your furry family member and the joy they bring.
Still feeling intimidated? Don't worry! As part of the full-service experience I offer at West Oak Pet Photography, if you're local and feeling unsure about hanging your beautiful new artwork, I'm happy to come over and help you get it perfectly placed on your wall. Just let me know!
Happy hanging!