I am a grid-kind-of-girl. There is no denying that I prefer a perfectly aligned grid over any other arrangement of pictures, prints, and frames. Those of my readers who are familiar with my scrapbooking style and specifically my sketches over the years, know what I’m talking about. I think order is a beautiful, beautiful thing.
I don’t know how Martha does it, but I thought I’d share with you how we hang grids around here. “Oh Patient One” (a.k.a. David) has hung many, many frames with me over the years and I give him full credit for figuring this out during one of our grid-hanging projects. Maybe some of you have already implemented these tricks.
Here is our most recent grid collection. A little gathering of some family pictures (taken by the lovely Kara Layne last year). To help our 6 frames fill the wall more, we used leftover scraps from our kitchen wallpaper and John (our handy-dandy wood-workin’ magician) created the yellow frame, all of which are attached directly to the wall in our hallway. And because I know some will ask — the neutral grey paint on our walls is called Castle Path by Behr brand at Home Depot.
To talk about any kind of picture-hanging, I have to first share with you that these picture hanging strips are the only way we hang pictures. No hammer & nails. No holes in the wall. No crooked lines. And no, they haven’t pulled paint off our walls. We are believers. Seriously. Check them out here or your local hardware store or Target or WalMart or home store … and note they come in a variety of sizes.
At the beginning of the grid-hanging project, we adhere a velcro tab set to each side of each frame. No measuring or figuring out if they line up or whatever. Just wipe the surface clean and stick the tabs on. Leave the paper on the exposed sticky side until you’re ready to stick the frame to the wall.
Here’s the secret (these secrets are meant to share, of course): A level is good for more than just leveling. It’s also great for creating perfectly even and straight spaces between each picture instead of measuring how far apart each picture should be from the next.
So you start by figuring out your measurements for your specific space and figure out where that first picture (choose a corner) is going to be. Peel the backing off the sticky velcro backs and using level on top as your guide, firmly place that first frame on the wall.
Then — place the level flush against the edge of that first frame. If you have another level or something long enough & straight, put that across the tops of the frames. Now you know exactly where to place your second frame without having to measure. Get it? Bingo! You would do this for each picture across and up and down. The lines are perfect. The spaces are perfect. Yay!
And if you’re curious about this velcro concept, here’s what you’d see if you lean up against the wall next to a picture frame. You so can’t tell looking at it normally. Did I mention we’re velcro fans for hanging picture frames?
Added note: If you happen to be in Arizona and happen to need any woodwork done and happen to have missed when I shared his info before here, our friend John Broderick rocks. He has done several wood-based projects for us and we highly recommend him. bbfurn@juno.com | 623.566.2232.
Tags: picture frames, velcro
THANK YOU!!! I have been wanting to do a grid on a large wall but have been too scared to damage the wall and too intimidated by measuring the grid. Now I am ready to give this a try.
When it comes time to remove them (if you want to rearrange or if, like me, you are moving in a year) do they come off the same way as the great hooks do… by pulling the tabs? Any tricks for removal??
Thanks for the spacing ideas. I just “found” these velcro tabs a few months ago and my hubby thinks they’ll ruin the walls. Now I can’t wait to give it a try.
Jen
How did I not know this wondrous invention existed?! I have been dragging my feet about hanging a bunch of black and white photos in the stairway to our basement because I was worried about putting all the holes in the wall (it’s newly finished) These strips will be perfect and will also help prevent anyone from knocking the frames off (or crooked) when walking down the steps. I should be able to at least utilize the vertical level trick on this stairway project, but I will store the entire method in my memory for my next ‘horizontal’ grid. Thanks much!
Um, who is this John wood-working magician? I have been trying to find large frames like that, and don’t know anyone that does wood work. Is he interested in more business?
If you happen to be in Arizona and happen to need any woodwork done and happen to have missed when I shared his info before here, our friend John Broderick rocks. He has done several wood-based projects for us and we highly recommend him. bbfurn@juno.com | 623.566.2232.
I was so delighted to open your blog today and see a traditional scrapbook layout! For those of us who found inspiration and the “how to” from your years @ CK…thank you! Might there also be a sketch to go with that?
I love the way this looks and the close up photos are a huge help! I am also wondering about the damage if a Velcro strip is attached directly to the drywall. Does this method only work if you attach the frames to wallpaper or some other surface over top of the wall?
Please tell us about the removal of those strips. If I remember correctly, you have to pull them straight down to remove. How do you do that when the tab to pull is behind the picture? Other than that, Amazing idea and I will be using it!
I love where your creative mind wanders! Your use of color is inspirational. To see your family photos in bright matching colors without matching is a great reminder that we don’t all have to where the same color! I am for sure using this grid idea! Thx
I have never seen those velcro strips but am totally going to buy some. What an awesome idea! And thanks for the tips on hanging a grid. I’m a linear girl also and love it!!
I have never heard of these strips but they sound MARVELOUS! Wonder if they are in Canada!
Rhonda, we have bought them in Winnipeg, not sure what store DH found them.
Love this idea, I’m going to do this at my front doorway!
I am inspired by so many things you do and share, but you seriously just changed my life! (not to mention sparing my marriage the strain of having to hang pictures together!!) I have a pile of things that i can’t wait to hang!!
Awesome, cannot wait to try these! I have been planning a photo display for the hallway but I always seem to get the nail in the wrong place. I saw the commercial for these but didn’t believe they’d work till you shared. Thanks! Your display is beautiful! : )
Thank you Thank you for sharing your secrets of the grid! I have picture ledges all over my house because I couldn’t quite get the grid to work out correctly. I’m so excited to give this a try!!!
I may have to fill in the holes and redo the uneven 4 square grid of cute pics in my laundry room! Good tips…thanks! Loving the velcro idea to avoid all the holes!
I don’t usually post comments – but I had to say THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for this one! I can’t wait to try out the velcro taps and the tricks/tips for grids!!! WOOHOOO!!!!
Hi Becky,
Do you think those velcro strips would stick to a textured wall ? It would be great if it would, we don’t have a smooth wall at my home. Thanks for the picture hanging tip. I love the colors on your walls.
Hi Maia,
I thought I might offer my experience with these velcro strips and plastered/slightly textured walls. I was SO excited to find them and put them to use. I haven’t been completely satisfied with them, however. And, I’ve followed the directions to a T for prepping the wall/frame surface before hanging. I’ve had success with using the largest size only on small mirrors that weigh between 1-2 lbs (the large size is meant to hold much more weight). Those have stuck to my wall for 3+years (knock on wood!). I’ve not had the same luck hanging a 2-3 pound painted canvas, however. After about a year, it falls off the wall. I’ve given up I think, and plan to use a gallery hook/nail instead. They are much gentler to walls than I expected – over just pounding in a regular nail.
Thought I should offer another opinion. It’s great to know these work successfully for many people. I think it’s the type of walls I have that make it more of a challenge.
you always inspire me to put more color in my house. I even tried my hand at a small floral arragement!! Yellow & turquise. Thank you so much for all that you share. Kim D.
Becky, thanks for being proactive and sharing your wall paint color. However, I want to know where to find the yellow frame color! Love your house, want to move in with you.
Love the design behind the frame, how do you do that? Is it a vinyl stick on?
I realize that this post was meant to discuss hanging pictures in grids, but seeing the scrapbook layout made me realize just how much I miss your sketches!!!! I can’t scrapbook without them and every time I see a new one, it makes me want to run to my scrapbooking room and create a layout. If doing another sketch book is not in the cards, perhaps adding some to your blog once in a while would work….: – )
Brilliant idea! Love the yellow frame! The whole thing is spectacular! Thanks for sharing!!
I love this!!! Thanks for sharing!
Becky I love this idea!! Especially getting perfect space between frames. I usually have to lay it all out on the floor and then take lots of measurements. We are moving in a few weeks, and I will be using YOUR method!! So much easier!!
As for the 3M Command Strips – we first discovered those 5 years ago, when our oldest started college. They gave each student a sample pack in their dorm room. They actually require that those be used, in place of nails. We have also used them in their apts, too. Never thought to use them at HOME. duh
Hope you don’t mind if I answer the question for you about removing them – They come off so easy. You just want to stretch the little tab at least 12 inches, while keeping it close to the wall. At that point, they just come right off. If you pull away from the wall, you can damage the wall. But if you follow the directions, and pull the 12″, you will not have any problems. You will just need a fresh piece for the wall in the new location – the velcro should still be attached to the frame, so you won’t have to replace that piece.
I love this picture display. Thanks for the ideas and tips. For a while now I have been loving that wallpaper you have in your kitchen, as I have noticed it in the background of other pictures. Any chance you would share either what brand/name it is or where you got it? I would love to know! Thanks.
SERIOUSLY! EYE OPENING! REVOLUTIONARY! I think you just changed the way we hang pictures! If I wasn’t about to deliver a baby I’d start hanging something NOW! THANK YOU! I am SO excited to try this!
As always, thanks for the great ideas! I too would like to know about your wallpaper (in your kitchen, I think?) that said you used in the frame. Would you share the name or brand it is? I would also love to know. Thanks for sharing!
thank you so much for sharing your fabulous ideas. how about one day you post a tour of your house so we can see all of its fabulousness.
Ok … THANK YOU! how wonderful
… I am thinking this would be wonderful as a head board. Care to share the wallpaper source? and I so miss seeing your scrap pages.
what a wonderful idea
So if I’m understanding these velcro strips correctly, you can take the frames off, switch out photos and just velcro them back on? I understand that they are removable when you don’t want them there anymore, but if you just want to switch out photos, can you do that too? Sooooooo cool.
Cute idea! Please share info about your wallpaper. I love it and have been invisioning something just like it for my living room, but don’t know where to get it.
Your post today changed.my.life! Seriously!!
That is AWESOME!!!!! Now I can’t wait to hang the pictures in my upstairs hallway – that I’ve been putting off for 2 years or so now.
THANK YOU! I was so excited to open your blog today and see a traditional scrapbook layout. I love your style. Eye candy!
In our old house, we had a grid of 25 Panorama-framed photos from our world travels hung in the dining room. We used a laser level to do the grid but it took HOURS! Next time we hang them (it’s been 3 years since they were on the wall), I’m tring this method! I just hope I can find these velcro strips here in Australia!
You can swap things around quite easily.
Using Becky’s example – let’s replace middle white frames for orange ones.
~ You need new velcro pieces that match the frame pieces.
~ Separate the white frame’s velcro from the wallpaper’s velcro.
~ Firmly hook/loop the new velcro pieces to the wallpaper’s velcro.
~ Peel off the paper, and pressed the orange frame to the exposed adhesive.
(This way you don’t have to measure and fiddle and figure out where to put the velcro on the frame!)
You can use any width straight-edged thing to get the spacing you want. Use the level to draw one vertical line and one horizontal line and go from there. Caution – 2″ x 4″ can be warped and don’t measure 2″ x 4″.
Pulling the strips off the wall/wallpaper — don’t let the big-fingered person do it! My husband picked up the edge, with his index finger between strip and wall. umm, he couldn’t pull straight down – there went a chunk of paint and drywall!
The strips work on our walls’ paint roller texture.
love the photos Becky espceially the one all you all walking away very cool, love the big frame that they are in too, might try something like that but on a smaller scale
LOVE THIS!!!! What book is your wallpaper from??? I have 2 perfect spots in my house to do this!! Thank you for posting!!
Did you find the name of the wallpaper?
Thanks for the suggestion of using the strips. I hate putting holes in may walls. I’m gonna pick some up on my next trip to walmart.
Seriously, what motivation! I’ve been using 3m products for years and have never come across those – and all those faces in frames waiting to go up thank you too!
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE! the fact that you posted a layout i haven’t seen before. THANK YOU
Also thinking of trying this, but on a smaller scale. Seriously, love how much of your home you share here…completely inspiring – it honestly must be over 5,000 square feet – I have a fun little bet going on with a few friends who follow your blog. You have such amazing spaces for the beautiful arrangements, be it floral, photo, not to mention the great decor pieces as well. I live in a small 2,000 square foot home that just doesn’t seem to have enough space to put all the things I might make, inspired by all the wonderful things you have shown me!
Your eye is truly amazing! Love the neat things you are doing to your home and love seeing the pops of happiness you have managed to sprinkle everywhere. I love it! You could add interior designer to your list of talents. Truly, you have a gift for it – I am so thankful you are kind enough to share your ideas!
One question: I love the antique finished white wall cabinet that appears to be in perhaps your kitchen or dining room. As a long-time blog follower, I don’t seem to remember this being white…did you really paint your kitchen cabinetry? I love it! I can’t imagine what my husband would say to me if I painted our kitchen cabinets…how did you decide to make this extremely brave move, if that is what you did? It looks amazing!
Thanks again Becky for sharing your amazing talents!
LOVE, love it Becky. The bright colors are so awesome and add so much to your house.
I can not tell you just how much I L.O.V.E. this idea!! I had to read a couple of times to “get it”, but I got it! What a time (and sanity saver!!) :0 Thank you once again my friend (at least it feels like you’re my friend
I have to send a hint your way because i am a HUGEEE fan of the picture hanging strips and use them ALL over my house. I weigh everything i hang and use the right amount of strips, but have still had many accidents. And when i say many i mean many i have about 20 pictures all over my house of various shapes and sizes all up with picture hanging strips. You MUST read the instructions and use as many strips as they say and more if you feel it necessary. We have since had the large ones withdrawn from the market in Australia and I can testify as to why I have had three pictures smash to the ground using the large strips i think they just couldn’t cope with the weight they were supposed to. I have two places in my house where the skirting has big chunks taken out of it when a picture has fallen. I just put a grid of pictures above my bed and had strict instructions form my hubby NOT to use the hanging strips as he has witnessed too many casualties and didn’t want to be the next one as he slept, LOL
ANyway moral of the story is not to be stingy with the strips even if you think that maybe you don’t need as many as they say – because believe me you need four on EVERY picture don’t use the recommended 2 on lighter pictures.
Where did you get the wall paper from that you used. We are moving into a new house in two weeks and I have a wall that I have been trying to decide what to do and something like this would work. Love your ideas, I have a bag of spray paint just waiting to update my kitchen stuff once we get it all out of storage.
Terra from Canada
I love this project……I especially love the wall behind it. Does anyone know if that is wallpaper or a stencil? Becky is so talented
Love love love this frame idea….and the strips well they are something I’m going to go and check out shortly at the hardware store. I’m over putting pictures up to come back past and notice they are all wonky due to earthquakes we are having all the time in NZ. I got some big old frames from my parents recently…i’m going to attack them with a paintbrush and find some space on my wall. Another awesome idea from this very lovely talented lady
[...] who did some custom wood-based projects in our home? (See some of his brilliant work that he did here and here and here.) Anyway, he is an expert with wood and we trust him. John recommended this [...]
this is so beautiful that i am copying it in my house right now!! i even ordered the wallpaper in the mail. a sample is 25×25 for $5, and i just got it- super fast shipping! i was wondering if you knew about the yellow paint on the frame..is it wood stain? also, are your pics 5x7s or 4×6? thanks so much for sharing your great ideas
would you mind sharing where you got the wallpaper and where it’s from? thank you!
Oh I love this I pinterest it! I would love to know the wallpaper name and what the yellow paint is I’m still searching for the perfect yellow…….
Would you be kind enough to share where the wallpaper is from? It is so beautiful!
Thank you so much! I know that this is an old post, but you’ve just saved my family room. My husband are so annoyed by some frames that just won’t hang straight and now we have a solution. Thank you, thank you.
-Jess Winter (at) OlyMomma (dot) blogspot
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TWO levels—ingenious!
Love this post, starting on my own grid today!
Love this–saw you on Pinterest. For those wondering, the wallpaper is fairly close to this one: http://www.seabrookwallpaper.com/products/default.aspx?t=2&styleID=5&subjectID=230&patternID=15250&search=
(not sure if links are stripped out…if so go to www dot seabrookwallpaper dot com and search for product SBK15250.
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Anyone have a guess to the size of the yellow frame? And size of the smaller ones? Tx
Loved this idea but it was hard to pull off. I first found a 2×4 framed picture for $8 at the thrift store. No one had wallpaper in stock so I opted for fabric instead. Took the canvas off the frame (painted frame black) then had Hobby Lobby cut a piece of foam to fit my frame and wrapped fabric around board foam and stapled it on. Then stapled the foam to the frame. Found 8 5×7 black frames at Big Lots for $3 each and printed black and white pictures to go inside. Because the command strips don’t work on the fabric I am nailing through the foam to the wall. Lots of holes but I don’t care. Happy with the final result but it costed much more than I thought it would and took weeks to complete because of the road blocks I encountered.
Thank YOU so much Becky! I am a recently graduated college student and still live at home with my mom. Our walls are really tricky and trying to hammer anything into them is a nightmare and produces huge holes which means I am not allowed to hang anything without her supervision or our handyman’s help. I’ve tried using the 3m sticky picture hanging tabs but never the velcro tabs. This may be my saving grace. I have so much wall space that is blank with all my pictures in frames and posters either behind doors or under my bed. I can’t wait to get started!
P.S. The Captcha code is the worst! I must have tried more than 20 codes before it took one.
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