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Growing up, our house always had a big wall map. As we traveled, we would stick pins into whichever cities across the many countries we visited. The map was also handy when looking up answers for crossword puzzles or talking about what was going on in the news. Needless to say, we are very good at geography! So when I moved into my apartment, I knew I needed a wall map as well. But I have almost no wall space!
I finally found a map, got it mounted at the frame store, and decided to put it over my bed. And now I will show you how to hang it.
You will need:
a drill
a drillbit the size of the wall anchor you use (our mom calls this a dubel)
a wall anchor (dubel)
a screw
a screwdriver
a tapemeasure
a pencil
Directions
1. Depending on what kind of wall you’re drilling into, you might need different drills or drillbits. My wall has the wooden beadboard covering foamboard, so I don’t need a particularly powerful drill. If you were to drill into brick, then you would need something stronger. It is also better to drill into the wooden studs in your wall instead of just the drywall for a stronger support. Also, be careful that you don’t drill into any electrical wires or plumbing.
2. Measure your wall and your picture. Think of where you would like your picture to hang: in the centre of the wall, off to the side, higher up on the wall? Depending on how many pictures you want to place, you might want to cut out paper templates the size and shape of your pictures and tape those on the wall to decide on placement. Mark the corners of your placement with a pencil.
3. Use the tape measure to find the centre of your wall, or wherever you want to hang your picture. I want mine to be in the centre of the wall, halfway between the ceiling and my bed. Mark with a pencil.
4. Put your picture face down on a flat surface. If your picture has a hanging wire, pull the wire taut towards the top of the picture. Measure the distance between the top of the picture to the hanging wire. If your picture has something instead of a wire (mine had a jagged metal ridge), just measure the distance between the top of the picture and the ridge.
5. Use the distance you just measured in step 4 to mark that far down from the top of your template on the wall. This is where you will drill your hole.
6. Use a drill bit the same size as the wall anchor, or dubel, that you have. Drill the wall at the place you marked in step 5. Make sure you keep the drill perfectly perpendicular to the wall, so the wall anchor will go in straight.
7. Press the wall anchor into the whole. It should fit snugly but without bending. Using a screwdriver, drive the screw into the wall anchor. It should stick out from the wall far enough for you to hook the hanging wire. The screw pries open the part of the wall anchor that’s inside the wall, making a snug fit.
8. Hang your picture! Use a level to check if the picture is hanging straight. This may be difficult in old houses: I’ve hung a picture level, but it doesn’t look straight because the ceiling is crooked!