hang a photo collage--the EASY WAY!

How long have you put off hanging those framed photos on the wall or staircase? 

Ugh!  I know, you’re probably thinking, “how many extra holes will I have to make in the wall before I get it right?”.  Patching all of those holes seems like A LOT of work, so... you just keep putting it off.  

BUT...

You would REALLY love it if the job was finished and you had a beautiful family picture collage on the wall or staircase--wouldn’t you?!  

There is an easy way!  And, you won’t make ANY extra unnecessary holes in the wall!  I did this collage going UP my staircase, all by myself!  It wasn’t hard at all!

This is what you will need to do!

Be sure you have pictures in all of the frames that you are going to use!  No sense in hanging empty frames!  (I get all of my prints from Shutterfly in a Matte finish!)      

You will need: a roll of craft paper, a pencil, painter’s tape, a measuring tape, and a small level.  And, of course, you’ll need nails and a hammer later.  

Trace each frame on the craft paper (be exact!).

Measure the exact spot of the hanger on the back of the frame, and mark on the paper with an “X” where the nail would go.  (the nail will be hammered into the center of the X) 

Cut out all of traced frames and begin arranging them (using painter’s tape) on the wall where they will be hung.  Step back multiple times and re-arrange the shapes until you like the placement.

  
When you like the layout you have created, make sure all of the papers are level.  This is especially important when putting a collage up or down a staircase.  Also, be sure the spaces between the papers are the same (or pretty close)! 

When all of your papers are perfect, you can hammer a nail right through the center of each “X”’ on all of the papers.  One at a time, remove a paper and hang the frame that matches until all of your frames are hung on the wall.  (Unless you have a VERY good memory, or have taken a photo of your paper collage--DO NOT remove ALL of the papers at the same time.)  

Check to be sure all of the frames are level.   Clean off the fingerprints and YOU’RE DONE!!!  How easy was that?!!