apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Good idea...but how about using a damp sponge to leave a damp mark on your wall (not great for some wallpapers, but most walls should tolerate a damp few moments), save your $2.99, and not worry about what to do when the corners of the arrow wear away?

Wow! This is a really fantastic idea.

This is completely a "duh, why didn't I think of this?!" kind of idea. I'm probably going to simulate it with a piece of colored chalk and some tape.

brilliant! it's so hard to do that guestimating with a post-it. so hard.

Great idea!

So simple yet so ingenious! I like it. And for only $2.99, there's no need to even contemplate a DIY. ...some of the posters above must literally get paid in peanuts.

This doesn't solve my problem though - I have a few frames that are hung with wire, or even string, which have give to them, and have to be measured while holding the string tell you how much the picture will sag. It's a tough job!

orangejuce, it's not b/c I get paid in peanuts. I have colored chalk, and I have tape. Why should I buy colored chalk that has tape pre-attached? I think that it's more environmentally responsible to use things that I already have than to add to carbon emissions to get an item shipped to me that will clutter my drawers.

Admittedly, I'm more immediately impacted by the clutter than the emissions, but you get the idea.

Really? Honestly, save the 3 bucks and buy yourself a snack instead! This is a total waste. With over 15 years if experience in picture installations the easiest trick when it come to hanging artworks with a "saw tooth hanger"...notice directly about the blue arrow in the picture, there is a small convexed circle on the bracket, that's your marker. Simply put the frame on the wall and give it a slight push at the top and Voila! you have a mark on the wall right where you need it! If you don't have the strength to make a slight dent into the wall, take a lead pencil and color the circle. Place the bracket against the wall and presto! You have yet another mark. Try it!

Just remember that almost all hangers will leave some type of mark on the wall. All you need to do is put a leveler on top of the frame ( a piece of tape will hold it in place) Put the art work to the wall, move it slightly back and fourth and you should leave a mark. This works perfect with any type of "d-ring" hangers.

So save your coins, kiddos, with a bit of practice, you will hang like a pro!

Nice trick with the sawtooth tip above, but why are there the other teeth? I've never thought about that until I read the post above....

Koikub:
Do you have any suggestions for picture frames with wire instead of saw tooth hangers?

Kambykitten, not sure if this idea will work, but it popped in my head as a possibility. You could try holding the picture by a loop of sturdy twine or string wrapped around the picture wire. Mark the string with chalk at the bottom of the loop (where it meets the picture wire) and then hold it up against the wall and rub the picture so the chalk mark goes onto the wall. Might be a two person job with a heavy picture.

a tape measure, basic math, a pencil...

Kambykitten,

If you are working with pictures that are wired on the back and if the wire is attached to a "D"shaped ring. You can do what is called "double hanging". You don't use the wire at all. This will allow the weight of the picture to rest on these rings and not a wire. Which, the picture or mirror, over time can bow or warp especially with today's framing. First, tape a level to the top of the picture. This will free up your hand and help to keep it straight. Grab the picture with both hand ( one on each side) at the same level of the "D" ring. Make sure that the "D" ring falls between your index and middle finger. Place the artwork against the wall. At this point make sure that only the "D" rings are touching the wall, not the frame of the picture. Press into the wall. Check to see when you are level. With the "D" ring touching the wall move the whole picture slightly to the left and slightly to the right. Just enough to make your mark. If you have walls with flat paint, the mark is very easy to see. If you have any other type of paint, it will create a"shiny" mark. Use theses marks for your nail. Hang the picture. Check to make sure it is level. If one side is slightly higher than the other, simply and gently pull on one side of the picture to make it perfect. Now, in the case if the picture is really wide and you can't handle it on your own. Try masking tape. On the back of the picture run the tape from hanger to hanger. Mark on the tape where the nail will come in contact. Decided where on the wall you want the picture to be then place the tape on the wall. Make sure that you use a level to get the tape straight. Then simply hammer in your nails. Ta-da! The first method may sound more involved, but really is the easiest and fastest way to hang a picture. Best of all.....No math required! Sometimes that works. But if you are dealing with walls that are not straight, moldings that were installed at 5pm on a Friday before the big holiday....well it can all go wrong. And your picture can be very lop-sided. The goal is to have it "visually" straight in the space.

kaanswfm

The reason for the other teeth is for balance. If the hanger is not centered in the middle of the picture, when you go to hang it, it will be lop-sided. So you move it over to the next tooth to correct it.