Grouping framed art on a wall can be an exercise in patience that often results in the frames still hanging unevenly. (And then much cursing ensues.) The frames with wire across the back, like those pesky but oh-so-handy Ikea Ribba frames can be especially troublesome. Here's a tip to help hang them evenly — and it only requires a paint stir stick and a screw:
Kelly, over at View Along the Way, has this brilliant tip for grouping framed art evenly on a wall. She uses a paint stir stick with a screw placed in it as a guide. Simply loop the wire on the back of the frame to the screw/stir stick, and then hold your frame up to the wall. When your frame is at the correct height placement, hold the stick in place, remove the frame, and give the screw a push into the wall with your thumb. Now you've marked exactly where you need to place the nail or screw for hanging the frame!
Now, Kelly can't take full credit for this brilliance. There's an actual tool that you can order, the appropriately named Hang & Level. What I like about Kelly's makeshift tool, of course, is that it's free!
Take a look at Kelly's full post to read about it this handy tip — View Along the Way: How to Get Ikea Ribba Frames to Behave.
Images: View Along the Way
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I just bought several frames from West Elm and they all came with a template for hanging! Brilliant!
Ribba frames...what a nightmare to hang! And even Ikea's back-hanger frames want to come apart after you hang them, thereby making them saggy and crooked after they're already on the wall.
This is a good tip! And appears to be a good blog.
I used to have those prints bookmarked (on Etsy) but never got around to ordering and since lost track of them - does anyone know who's they are?
Also, yes, this is a good trick! I'm not very math-y about picture hanging, which sometimes results in a bunch of extra holes until I get the placement juuuust right. Drives my husband crazy.
I am a huge fan of hanging things with the 3M command adhesive velcro strips. You can adjust them so much easier than when you have committed to pounding a hole in the wall.
@tmoore, the photographer is Tricia McKellar. She sells as "eyeful" on Etsy. I've got several of her bird prints, in Ribba frames, hanging in my bedroom.
I use the 3M strips too. Instead of the velcro strips, I use the hooks for hanging frames. My frames are wood with real glass and they've held up for a year now.
Excellent smart idea!
Thanks @SherylP!
I just hang 6 Ribba last weekend and contrary to what is being said... I actually liked it and found it quite easy to adjust height or left/right even if your nail is in the wrong place... the reason being that the 2 clips at the back can be easily moved up or down... who said you can only relocate the nails!? With the 2 clips being movable, we are able to "correct" and "fine tune" the frame height and or left/right. no?!
Great idea. thanks
Smart
I have 6 Ribba frames I need to hang and have been scratching my head for the last month as to how on earth I would be able to get them all straight on the wall. Very very useful tip!!
Bookmarking this. Thanks!
I encountered a similar problem here: http://thefirstapartment.blogspot.com/2011/05/how-to-hang-set-of-frames.html but was able to use construction paper and some string to solve it!
that is effing genius.
also, for annoying frames with the two hooks on the back, I put a piece of painter's tape on the back of the frame, mark where the nails should go, then place the tape on the wall and level the tape. hasn't failed me yet!
very smart
Great tip! Definitely will be sharing on my blog's Facebook page. Will help all my artists & collectors, I'm sure!
Hi Jason, I really enjoyed Kelly’s Tutorial on using a stir stick to hang pictures. I've used that trick myself before I invented the Hang & Level tool you refer to in your post. As a designer I was terrified of putting extra holes in my client’s walls. So, out of pure frustration, I came up with the picture hanging tool idea. I’ve hung lots of Ribba frames in the past and can relate to everyone’s frustrations with them. I've learnt a few tricks over the years that might help ease the “pain” for anyone who’s thinking of hanging the Ribba frames. Here's the link http://www.utrdecorating.com/blog/?p=692 Thanks for sharing such great tips!