How to Hang Frameless Art

Hanging artwork in your home will liven up the decor. Hanging framed art is simple enough. However, some art extends to the fringes of the work and will lose some of its meaning if a frame is covering any of the work. Artwork such as stretched canvas paintings usually are not framed, but drawings, pastels and watercolors should be protected behind glass or Plexiglas. Lighter weight works may be framed using special clip systems, available from art supply stores or some galleries.

Clear plastic cleats or Swiss-clip system
Foam board or mat board
Craft knife (optional)
Glass or Plexiglas
Wire or ribbon
Nails or J-hooks
Hammer

Instructions

- 1
  Place a piece of mat board or foam board on a flat surface. This will serve as the back of your artwork. The board must be the same size as the art you want to hang. Cut to size if necessary using a craft knife.
- 2
  Lay the art on the foam board or mat board. Make sure that the artwork is perfectly centered before moving on. However, it can still be adjusted even after it is placed on the wall, because it is easy to disassemble a framework of this kind.
- 3
  Lay the glass or Plexiglas, cut to the size of the artwork, on top of the art and board. Make sure that all three layers are perfectly aligned with each other.
- 4
  Clip the three layers together with the clear plastic cleats or Swiss clips. If you use the clear plastic cleats, the art will protrude from the wall, making it appear to be floating. Swiss clips are similar to binder clips, but more decorative, and attach to the four corners of the assembly.
- 5
  Hang the art onto the wall by adding a mounting wire or ribbon on the back attached to the clips on two corners, and hanging over a nail or J-hook that you've hammered into the wall at the desired height.

Ideas for Framed Art

Hanging a Bed Quilt

Art & Home Accessories