OK, here’s the story. Two years ago all I wanted for Christmas were picture frames. Love ‘em. I had this grand idea of having candid photos to look at when I walked up the stairs. But I let those pictures sit for a long time (too long to admit!) because I didn’t know the best way to “arrange” them without putting a bunch of holes in the wall! Here’s a simple solution!
Pull out the left-over wrapping paper, scissors, and a little tape and make templates of your frame shape. Now you’ll know precisely where to put that nail and how it will look on the wall BEFORE hammering in a bunch of nails!
Step 1: Trace each frame onto wrapping paper, grocery sacks, etc. Cut shape.
Step 2: Draw an arrow showing the direction of the photo. This is especially helpful when you have multiple frames to hang.
Step 3: With a small bit of tape, attach your wrapping paper to the wall. See how doing this prevents you from just “guessing” if you got the frame in the right place? This helps you position your photo exactly where you want it.
Step 4: Hang your photos or other pieces of wall art. Simple, painless, and no extra holes to fill!
-Kim 
{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }
I like this idea. I think that I would take it one step farther and tape the paper (folded if necessary) to the back of the frame. That way when (no if’s here) I decide to rearrange my pictures I’ve got the template already!
Just a thought!
What a BRILLIANT idea! Why didn’t I think of this a long time ago when struggling with the dreaded picture-hanging experience! My husband would have been so much happier! LOL!
Such a great idea. I have been wanting to do something like this for my stairs but couldn’t quite figure out where to start. Now I know!
I knew this tip and STILL haven’t hung my frames! One other tip I would add is to figure out where your nail hole should go on your template.
Terrific Idea……..I’m going to go use it NOW!!!
Fabulous idea!
We just painted our foyer and stairway, and I have been dying to hang my family photos (already framed and ready to go) but dreading how I would go about it…..especially with a hubby who doesn’t have a whole lot of patience when it comes to helping me implement my ideas…LOL
Thanks so much for coming to my rescue!!
I just found you on Followers on MBC! What an AWESOME thing you have going here! I love it and you are making me want to go channel my inner “martha.”
Love - Donna
what a clever idea! will have to try that next time I do photos!
Awesome idea!!
Congrats on being Featured on SITS today! =D
Awesome tip! I’m going to have to do this one. I’m horrible at hanging pictures, so this will definately help. Thanks!
You ladies always make the most complex tasks simple to do. I would’ve been squinting and turning my head back and forth for hours, and it still would not have come out right! This is so clever!
Thank you!
Lorie
What a GREAT idea! I am also so intimidated hanging pictures and trying to get them just right. This would make it so much easier!
Thanks Kim!
What a wonderful idea. I love picture/frame collages on a wall. It always makes me smile
I’ll have to remember this - I second the mention of marking where the nail hole should go - we bought frames one time that were both 8×10, but the nail holes were NOT in the same spot on the back and therefore I ended up with two pictures side by side, but not at the same height - ugh! 2 nail holes later, it was fixed!
Also - use painter’s tape - the blue stuff - we use it for EVERYTHING around here w/the kiddos - but that’s a post in and of itself! No worries about the paint coming off even after just having the tape on the wall for a little while! Thanks for the post!
To figure out where to place the nail, just measure from the back of the frame and then measure on the paper. Have the “tip” of the arrow be the place to put the nail and just hammer it through the paper. I’m going to try this on my staircase.