How to Add Hooks to Standing Picture Frames

hanging framed family photo
  • 1 hours
  • Beginner
  • 0-20
What You'll Need
Tape measure
Pen or pencil
Eye hooks or saw-tooth hangers
Small nails or screws
Hammer or screwdriver and drill
What You'll Need
Tape measure
Pen or pencil
Eye hooks or saw-tooth hangers
Small nails or screws
Hammer or screwdriver and drill

Using frames to display photos or artwork is one of the best ways to fill your home or office with memories. Hanging a photo frame with a hook already installed is easy. But, sometimes when you find the perfect picture frame, it doesn’t always have the proper hanging hardware attached. Read on below to find out which hook will be best for your photo frame and how to install it.

Choosing the Best Hook

There are many different types of picture-frame hooks. Two of the most popular ones are eye-hooks and saw-tooth hooks. You can use either one, but saw-tooth hangers are best for lightweight frames that are less than 11x14 inches, while eye hooks are best for heavier frames that are larger than 11x14 inches. Hook packaging also usually comes with directions for using them with different weights.

To determine which hook to use, measure the photo frame and then determine its weight. You can determine the weight by hand, using an approximation.

Determining Hook Placement

Once you have determined what type of hook is best for your frame, it is time to attach the hooks to the back of the frame. To attach the hook properly, you should measure the back of the frame to find its center. Then, mark the center with your pen or pencil.

Removing the Glass

Next, remove the glass that protects your photo or picture. Do not skip this step, as you could break the glass in the following steps.

Attaching the Hooks

If you are using saw-tooth hooks, place the hook on the back of the frame on your center mark. Carefully use the small nails to attach the hook into place with your hammer.

If you are using eye hooks for a heavier frame, make sure to place two hooks into the back of the frame in equal distances from the center of the frame. You can do this by eye, or you can use your tape measure again to determine the proper distance.

For example, if the frame is 12-inches wide, your center mark will be at 6 inches, and you should place your eye hooks 3 inches from the center, which is also 3 inches from the top of the frame.

Connect these hooks with the drill and screws, not the nails. With extremely heavy picture frames, or possibly mirrors, you should use four eye hooks on the back of the frame instead of two. Use the same technique for horizontal and vertical attachments.

Whether you make your own picture frame or find the perfect one, you can add a hook to hang it for all to see.