Hanging pictures checklist
A single picture hung badly is forgivable. A row of them hung at slightly different heights is what actually bothers people, so measure before drilling.
17 items
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
The items
- Picture hooks×10Rated for the weight — a hook meant for a postcard will not hold a framed print.
- Spirit level
- Tape measure and a pencil
- Wall type checked before choosing a fixingPlasterboard needs a proper cavity fixing for anything heavier than a light frame — a plug alone pulls straight back out.
- Stud or cable/pipe detector, for anything heavy going straight into the wall
- Hammer
- Height planned before drillingCentre of the picture at roughly eye level, around 145–155cm from the floor, is the standard gallery guide.
- Paper template of the frame, cut to size and taped up firstConfirms the exact spot and height before a single hole is drilled — much easier to move tape than to fill a wrong hole.
- Multiple pictures marked out together
- Hanging points marked on a strip of paper or with a laser level
- Spacing checked between frames before any hook goes in
- Picture wire or D-rings on the back of the frame, checked and tightened
- Two hooks for anything wideStops a wide frame tilting to one side over time, which a single central hook doesn't prevent.
- Filler, for any test hole that ends up in the wrong place
- Frame hung and checked level with the spirit level, not by eye
- Anti-tip putty or corner pads for a frame that sits slightly off the wallKeeps a frame from swinging or knocking against the wall in a draught.
- Step back and check from across the roomA frame that looks straight up close can read as crooked from the sofa — check from where it'll actually be seen.
Makes your own editable copy. No account needed.
Questions people ask
- What height should a picture be hung at?
- Centre of the picture at roughly eye level, around 145–155cm from the floor, is the standard gallery guide — adjust it if it's hanging over furniture people usually sit near.
- What fixing do I need for a heavy picture in plasterboard?
- A picture hook alone is fine for something light. Anything heavier needs a proper plasterboard cavity fixing, or better, a fixing straight into the stud behind it.
- How do I hang several pictures level with each other?
- Mark all the hanging points on a strip of paper or with a spirit level and a laser line before drilling any of them, rather than eyeballing each one against the last.