How to Keep Picture Frames Straight

Written by Mark Rogers

A crooked picture frame on the wall is one of life’s greatest annoyances, especially if you’re a bit of a perfectionist. You’ve selected the best picture frame for your art and made sure that you’ve hung the frame in the right spot; you don’t want to be constantly nudging one corner to make sure it’s level. Instead of adjusting and readjusting your picture frames, put a stop to those slants and tilts with a few tips from the pros.

How to Keep a Picture Frame from Moving on a Wall

To keep picture frames from moving on a wall, consider using wall anchors or specialized hanging hardware that can securely lock the frame in place. Another option is to apply small adhesive rubber bumpers or Velcro strips to the bottom corners of the frame, which can help stabilize it and prevent shifting due to vibrations or minor bumps.

Use a hanging kit
Use two hooks not one
Don't leave too much slack
Use wall bumpers

Use the Right Hanging Kit

Start off on the right picture framing foot with the right hanging kit. Sawtooth hanging kits are easy to use, but when used improperly, these hangers often lead to crooked picture frames — or even broken ones, once they’ve failed and fallen on the floor. Only use sawtooth hangers on picture frames that are light and relatively small — less than 12 inches at its longest side — to ensure that the picture frames stay straight and on the wall.

Frame Destination includes free picture frame hanging kits, which include all the correct materials for wood and metal picture frames, with every complete frame order (i.e. you’ve ordered mat board, glazing or backing board for the frame). With our complete kits, you don’t have to figure out which hangers work best with which frames. For other framed art you may have, find out how to hang your picture and which fixture might be the best to hang it.

Use Two Hooks, Not One

When hanging picture frames, many people will use just one nail or hook to hang the wire on — but this is where the problem starts. Using only one nail or hanging hook makes it far easier for the picture frame to slide around. In order to keep picture frames from moving on the walls, use two nails or hooks to which you attach the hanging wire; if you’re using a sawtooth hanger, opt to use two instead of one to ensure that the frame is straight. Our hanging kits always come with enough hardware and hanging wire to use two nails or hooks to hang your picture frames, though if you prefer sawtooth hangers, they can be purchased separately in both metal and wood versions.

Don’t Leave Too Much Slack

Too much wire gives your picture frame that much more opportunity to move around. The hanging wire should be just the right length for your picture frame and two hooks — too long and it will start to tilt (either to the side or forward), while too short a wire can damage the frame and its contents due to the tension. With the wire, you should create a nearly straight line across the frame but not so tight there is tension on the edges of the frame. Frame Destination will always cut the right length of hanging wire when we send you a complete frame package, though you can always adjust it yourself. For illustrations and exact steps on this process, read our blog post on "How to Position and Attach a Hanging Kit to Your Metal Picture Frame."

Use the Wall Bumpers

Included in every hanging kit are items that are perhaps the most important part of the package when looking to keep picture frames level: wall bumpers. These bumpers, which are small, clear circular rubber buttons with an adhesive back, stick to the back of the frame’s corners to protect the wall from damage. But the bumpers do more than that; they also help keep the frame steady, preventing it from sliding around.

Anything from bumping into the wall to slamming a door can cause a picture frame to slip and start tilting to one side — but it doesn’t have to, provided you’ve taken a few simple steps to ensure your picture frames stay straight.

Written by Mark Rogers

Mark Rogers is the President and Co-Founder of Frame Destination. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Mark has become a leading authority on framing techniques and best practices, and has earned a reputation for his innovative approaches to custom framing and frame services for photographers and artists.

Last Updated August 15, 2023