Easy hack to hang art perfectly straight

May 12, 2020

Well hello! I shared this quick tip on my Instagram stories this week but it was such a good one I thought it deserved it's own post. :) I've seen this tip a few times over the years but haven't tried it -- I just wasn't sure how well it would work. 

But it worked like a charm and I'll be using it again! I bought two of these IKEA mirrors at least a year ago for the bathroom renovation: 
Stockholm mirror IKEA round
They are the Stockholm mirrors and are so pretty! I wasn't sure how long it would be before I started the room, but it's a long trip to our closest IKEA (before we had one open up here) so I grabbed them up. 


This week I was finally to the point where it was time to hang them and it was very exciting. :) They are quite large so the holes on the back were far apart. You can use a level (I have a couple long ones), but I found this trick to be much more precise than measuring and trying to transfer that measurement onto the wall. 

Because I was drilling into tile I wanted this to be as exact as possible. This little hack is pretty easy. You'll need to grab some painter's tape and put it across the holes on the back of your art or mirror:
Art or mirror hanging trick with painter's tape

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Make sure the tape is placed at the same spot on each side. (Meaning the same distance from the top of the tape.) Then I poked a hole through the tape. You can also mark it with a pen for a really precise measurement: 
Easy hack for hanging art straight

Then you take your tape and place it where you want on the wall. You'll still need a level for this part -- I forgot to take a photo of using it, but you need to hold it against the tape to check: 
Hanging mirror using painter's tape

Then you just drill, using your marks as a guide! 

Side note -- you can find that beautiful cement looking tile here

When you drill into tile you need to use a bit specifically for tile -- this is the set I have and I like that they include four different sizes:
How to drill into tile

It takes awhile to get through the tile -- you'll need some patience and a fully charged drill. ;)
How to drill into tile

Then you can insert your anchors or screws and hang your item! 

Again, I've always measured with tape or a level but I found this to be much more precise. I wasn't going to mess around with this tile!:
Easy trick for hanging mirror with painter's tape

Sorry for the messy mirror -- the major cleaning will happen after the room is done. 😆

Now this part of the room is fully functional again and it only took maybe two months? Ha! I'm pretty sure I remember saying something about it only taking two weeks. I should know better. 

So much left to do -- today I plan to get that door trim up! Slow but sure, this room is coming together and is turning into one of my favorites in our house! 

Have you used this hanging trick? I'm a fan for sure!

**You can see this full bathroom reveal here. It's one of my favorite room makeovers ever!


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Comments

  1. That's a fantastic trick. However, when we buy art from HomeGoods or Target, very often the pre-installed hooks are not even (the last one I purchased they were off by about 3/4 of an inch). Any ideas for making this work on those situations?

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    Replies
    1. Use picture wire through each loop and then you only have to use one nail/screw. Not sure if I would do that for heavy items, however.

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    2. Make a paper template for each frame, tape the templates on the wall using a level, and then transfer the hook locations with a push pin or small nail. The Ook ReadyNails work really well for this method.

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  2. Thanks for the tip--I will have to remember that for sure! And I'm so excited to get a sneak peek at that tile, I can't wait for the reveal :)

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  3. That's awesome, I absolutely love that tip!! Looking good, can't wait for the reveal!

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  4. SO simple, yet brilliant! I can't tell you how many times I've messed up hanging a picture..
    -Kristen
    www.pugsandpearls.com

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  5. Great idea! I'll definitely be using this when hanging some shelves in the near future!

    xx Bry Jaimea || bryjaimea.com

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  6. That is such a genius trick!! Thank you for sharing that, hanging pictures well anything really is a challenge for me so this is great. AND OMY I can't wait to see that reveal, its looking amazing and that tile *all the heart eyes*

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  7. Looooove your new mirror with that tile! I saw this trick on your Insta stories and tried it out yesterday when hanging shelves. They came out *perfectly* level! This trick is BOSS! My husband was super impressed! :)

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  8. That's brilliant! I'll be using this next time I have to hang something for sure!

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  9. Thank you for sharing this trick with us.

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  10. What a champion idea,especially for heavy items.I have to have hubs help hanging most anything anymore since my shoulder replacement as can't extend right arm or raise it high enuf, dbl darn but it is as it is. This is such a great trick and so much more accurate, thanks so much for sharing. Enjoy your week

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  11. Love those mirrors, didn't see them when we were at San Diego IKEA last June but we only had one hour there. We don't have an IKEA in Grand Junction, closest one I know of is Denver and am not driving over those mountains just to go to IKEA. Will have to rely on ordering online. We live on western side of Rockies.
    Sounds like you will be enjoying IKEA when it's finally where you live.
    those mirrors are incredible, love idea of having them in a bathroom, will look wonderful in your bathroom.

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  12. Thank you for sharing! I tried this yesterday with scotch tape, as I didn't have painters tape, and it worked! My mirror looks perfect on the wall!!!

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  13. Dude this is very very clever. Cheers.

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  14. I am confused . Do you put tape on upside down across frame ?

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    Replies
    1. No, stick it to the item first. As long as your holes on the back are equal distance from the top, it will hang perfectly.

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