Picture this!
You’re having a peaceful morning with your coffee in hand and a newspaper in the other. Suddenly, you hear a loud thud from your hallway. When you check, you see that your displayed artwork fell! Yikes… We've all been there – a picture-perfect moment turned upside down by a fallen frame.
That's where an emergency picture hanging kit comes to the rescue. This simple yet essential kit ensures you're always prepared to hang or rehang your precious art pieces and decorations without any hassle. Let's dive into how to create your own emergency picture hanging kit and the advantages it brings.
Advantages of an Emergency Picture Hanging Kit
Life is unpredictable, and accidents happen when we least expect them. Having an emergency picture hanging kit on hand means you're ready to address any fallen frames or wall décor promptly. No more scrambling for tools or running to the store in the midst of a busy day.
With a well-organized kit, you can bid farewell to the frustration of searching for the right tools and hardware to fix your artwork. A picture hanging kit provides you with everything you need, neatly packaged and ready to use.
What Makes a Good Picture Hanging Kit?
A picture hanging kit is compact.
Your emergency picture hanging kit shouldn't take up much space. It should be easily stored in a closet, cabinet, or drawer so you can access it whenever needed. We recommend you keep this in a drawer or a cabinet space that’s easily accessible.
A picture hanging kit helps you be organized.
A well-organized kit saves you time and frustration. Components should be neatly arranged so you can find what you need quickly. Dividers within the kit can help separate different types of hardware. It’s even better if the dividers are movable so you can customize each compartment to size.
A picture hanging kit is secure.
The kit itself should have a secure closure to prevent any of the components from spilling out and getting lost. This ensures that you have a reliable and intact kit whenever you need it.
With these qualities in mind, we’re one step closer to creating a handy dandy picture hanging kit that is always ready for use. You can now assemble one in three easy steps!
Creating Your Emergency Picture Hanging Kit
Step 1: Assess the Items That Are Hung
Take a tour around your house or office and identify common items that you usually hang on the wall. This might include picture frames, mirrors, plaques, signs, and more. Look at the back of each item and make a note of the hanging hardware currently used.
Step 2: Know the Hardware Needed
Based on your assessment, create a list of the hardware you'll need in your emergency kit. Consider both the items you currently have and any potential items you might want to hang in the future. It's a good idea to include a variety of picture hanging hardware and accessories to accommodate different types of wall décor.
For example, you have a mirror on the wall. The most commonly used mirror hangers are clear mirror mounting clips, steel utility hanging hooks, or traditional wall hooks. If the hardware currently used are mirror clips, make sure to keep a stash of it just in case.
Step 3: Find a Good and Secure Organizer
Select a container or organizer that can accommodate all the different types of hanging hardware you've listed. Ensure that the organizer has dividers to keep the hardware separate and prevent them from jumbling together. The lid of the organizer should fit securely without any gaps to prevent spillage. If the dividers are movable and removable, customize the spaces as needed to fit each picture hanging hardware.
Useful Picture Hangers to Keep in Your Kit
In addition to the current hanging hardware being used in your space right now, we have a few recommendations that you might find useful. Here are some essential types of picture hangers to consider including in your emergency picture and mirror hanging kit:
- Traditional Picture Hooks
These are versatile and work well for a wide range of wall decorations. Since we have 3 variations of brass hooks according to weight ratings, we recommend you keep 2-3 pairs of each variant – the 30 lb. hook, the 50 lb. hook, and the 100 lb. hook.
We also have tremor hooks, which are slightly similar to brass hooks, but with a safety feature in case of unexpected shaking. You may also opt for this if necessary.
- Sticky Hooks or Adhesive Strips and Hangers
They are perfect for lightweight items and situations where you don't want to put holes in the wall. Adhesive hooks are easy to work with which makes it a common product to reach for when you need to hang something light. With its hassle-free installation, we recommend having 5-10 of these adhesive hooks in your kit.
- Bear Claw Screws
This type of screws is ideal for heavier items like mirrors and larger frames. This is ideally used on drywalls only. Bear claw drywall screws can support 30 lbs without an anchor, and can support up to 100 lbs when installed on a wall stud.
- Wall Dog Screws
These products are great for items that require a strong hold on drywall. They can also be used on other types of walls including plaster, brick, and concrete walls. Because of their versatility, keeping a stash of wall dog screws in your kit can be handy.
- #4-#10 Screws
This refers to a selection of sheet metal screws in different sizes to accommodate various items. Having various screws on hand is useful for installing any decorations. Screws will be most useful when redecorating your space.
- Eye Screws
They are useful for hanging items with wires or cords. Eye screws are commonly used to attach a string or wire to the back of a painting to allow the painting to hang from a nail on the wall. This will be very useful in instances where a picture wire slipped off its hanger due to defects or wearing out.
- Wall Anchors
They are essential for securely attaching items to plaster or drywall. One thing to note about anchors is that different types and sizes are available.
The most common anchors in ready-made picture hanging kits are plastic anchors. We recommend keeping anchors that will fit the screws you decide to include in your kit.
Final Thoughts
By following these steps and including a variety of essential picture hanging hardware, you can create an efficient emergency picture hanging kit that ensures your artwork stays securely displayed and your walls remain beautifully adorned. Don't let unexpected falls disrupt your peaceful moments – be prepared with your personalized picture hanging kit!
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