Assembling a gallery of framed artwork is an excellent way of adding style and personality to your home. However, if your paintings or photos are not hung correctly, they can end up looking crooked or tilted, spoiling the effect you’re trying to create. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips on how to hang frames the right way so that they don’t tilt and spoil the appearance of your pictures.
Why Do Frames Tilt?
If you’ve got a problem with frames tilting, it can be very frustrating, and it’s not always obvious as to why it’s happening. There are a few different reasons that frames can tilt, even when you’ve taken the time to hang them correctly. One reason might be the frame itself. Quite possibly, the weight of the frame may be unevenly distributed, causing it to tilt to one side. This can happen with frames made of materials like glass or metal, which can on rare occasions be heavier on one side than the other.
If the wall you’re hanging the frame on isn’t level, and even though your frame may be straight, your picture will appear tilting as well because of how human eyes perceive objects. Or maybe the wire or cord you’re using to hang the frame is too long or too short. If there’s too much slack in the cord, it can cause the frame to tilt down at the top. On the other hand, if the cord is too tight, it can make the frame tilt up at the top. Additionally, if the wire or cord that you’re using to hang the frame is too thin, it can sag over time and cause the frame to tilt. Another possibility is that there isn’t enough space between the wall and the back of the frame, and this can cause the frame to tilt forward, away from the wall.
Picture frames usually tilt because they’re not hung correctly or the weight distribution is off. Even if you’ve measured and marked where you want to place the nail or hook to hang your frame, it’s possible to make a mistake and put it in the wrong place. If the nail or hook isn’t placed in the centre of the frame, this can cause it to tilt when hung. It’s also possible to put the nail or hook into the wall at an angle, which will have a similar effect and result in tilting also.
The good news is, that regardless of why your frames are tilting, there are a few different things strategies you can try to address the issue, though it often comes down to trial and error to see what works best for you.
Use Two Cords Instead of One
If you think that the weight distribution of your frame might be off, try hanging it using two cords instead of one. By offering the frame this additional support, you can be sure that it will stay level and not lean to one side.
Remove Any Excess Hanging Wire
If you’re using wire to hang your frame, make sure that there isn’t any excess wire sticking out. The extra length of wire can add unnecessary weight to one side of the frame and cause it to tilt. Simply snip off any excess wire with a pair of pliers or scissors so that it’s flush with the back of the frame.
Using a Spirit Level
Although it may seem a little extra effort, using a spirit level when hanging your frames is a good way of ensuring that they’re perfectly level. Place the spirit level on top of the frame before you start to hang it, and then once you’ve hung the artwork, check that the bubble in the liquid is centred in the middle. This will help you to make small adjustments so that your frame is perfectly level.
Plan and Take Your Time
When hanging pictures, it’s important to take your time and plan ahead. This way you can avoid making any mistakes that might cause your frames to tilt. Make sure you measure the frame and the wall space before you start, and use a pencil or chalk to mark where you want to place the nail or hook. Once you’ve marked the spot, take a step back and double-check that everything looks level before proceeding.
Invest in a Picture-Hanging System
If you’re finding that your frames are tilting even after you’ve tried the other simpler methods mentioned above, then it might be worth considering using a picture hanging system. These systems usually consist of two parts: an anchor which is screwed into the wall, and a screw which is used to secure the frame in place. This method is very effective at preventing frames from tilting as it gives them a much more secure hold on the wall. Choosing the right picture hanging system might take a bit of research, but it will be worth it in the end when your pictures are finally hanging perfectly straight and you’ve levelled up your display game.
Conclusion
Whether the issue is with the frame itself or the way things have been hung, hopefully one of the solutions above will stop your artwork from tilting. Try out the different methods and see which works best for you, so that you can finally achieve the perfect and straight display of all of your favorite artwork. And of course, we’re always here to help with artwork hanging advice, a great range of picture hanging systems and products, and more. So if you need any assistance, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’ll be more than happy to help.
