An important thing to know about hanging shelves and pictures safely is to take the time to do the job correctly. Properly installed shelves can last for years, however, a hastily done job might make your shelves both ugly and dangerous. Before you start, you will need to know where you want to place the shelves or pictures. Second, gather the proper tools and materials.
Check if your home is one of those that have drywall for their interior walls since this material is not strong enough to hold heavy objects. To hang shelves and large pictures, you will need to anchor them to the wooden studs in your walls. To find them, you might need a stud finder. So as not to potentially damage walls and floors or risk causing injury, you must place shelf supports and picture hangers on wooden studs to keep the shelves and pictures from falling.
This time, you may plan out the placement of your shelves and pictures. To ensure that your installation will result in proper placement, use a measuring tape, pencil, and a level. It is very important to use proper safety precautions when hanging shelves at a height that would require a ladder. Ladders alone injure more people than any other household accident.
For pictures, the height at which you hang your pictures is critical. The result may look out of balance or unprofessional if not done properly. As a general rule, the center of a framed picture should be located approximately 57 inches above the floor (this is eye level for the average person). Measuring and marking the placement of each picture must be done before going to the next step.
Now you have to determine what kind of screws, anchors, and brackets you will need to support the item’s weight. For shelves, be sure to include the weight of the objects that will be stored there. It is all right to overestimate the weight, just to be safe. You will likely need a drill driver or other power tool to place screws, anchors, and brackets in the studs and walls.
Make sure to educate yourself on the proper use of your drill driver before attempting to use it for the first time. When hanging shelves or pictures on a brick or concrete wall, remember that it may require a masonry bit and plastic anchors to install the screws required to hold the shelf or picture in place. Ask for help when you’re about to install the shelf or picture. Ask someone to help lift and steady things while you work. Asking for a second opinion on your placement and measurements never hurts, either.
If screws, drills, and power tools intimidate you and you prefer not using them, you still have other options. Your pictures can also be secured to the walls by other methods such as double-sided adhesives. Choose the right adhesive for your needs. Remember, some adhesives may be permanent or removable.
By taking a few precautions and choosing the right tools, you can start hanging shelves and pictures on the walls of your Pinecrest rental home in no time.
Need a new rental home to hang your art? Review our current selection of rental listings and give Real Property Management Dade a call at 305-501-1511 to talk to one of our Pinecrest property managers today.