Hanging Xander’s gallery wall might appear to be a daunting task, but I have a little secret weapon that helped it go quickly and made it pretty fool proof. More often than you might think, readers and companies reach out and ask if they can send me their products. I don’t accept most of it because I just don’t need more stuff I’m constantly working to minimize, not add to the chaos but when I was collecting art for Xander’s room last year a man reached out about a tool he had created for hanging pictures called the TapHanger. Knowing it was something small not a lot of space lost here and a fit for this upcoming project I said sure, and the little screwdriver-like tool and nails showed up on our doorstep. I didn’t have much hope in the thing, but I have to say, once I started nailing away I couldn’t stop.
Hanging pictures isn’t my favorite thing. Figuring out just where the nail must go on the wall to line up with the frame holes, getting the nails level and even for frames that require more than one nail, big holes left in the wall when you make mistakes…there’s a lot of pressure to get it right the first time and getting it right the first time requires a lot of measuring and double-checking. Not with this little tool.
You simply place one end of the double-sided nail into the TapHanger and using a hammer tap the other end into the back of the frame. Repeat on the other side and then push the frame into the drywall. I like to place a level on the top of the picture as I push it into the wall so I make sure it’s going in straight the first time. It’s really that simple. There’s no guessing where nails should go and if you want to reposition the picture you’re only left with two very small punctures in the wall, hard to find unless you’re looking for them. Almost all of the frames on this wall were done using the TapHanger it doesn’t work with plastic or metal frames, including both of the really big ones.
Aside from the ease of hanging, I can’t believe how well the pictures stay. I did this gallery wall last summer in a rambunctious boys room that hosts playdates filled with flying objects and roughhousing. Not once has a picture fallen down and there is no need to constantly adjust the frames. I was dying to tell you all about this thing right after I gave it a go, but the product wasn’t for sale yet. It didn’t seem kind to share something I loved that you couldn’t get. I’m pleased to let you know it’s now available on Amazon, and of all the small tools I use renovating a space, this is definitely tied for my favorite with this paintbrush.
Pink Camellias says
That is an interesting tool. I wonder what the maximum weight frame you could hang would be. I don’t like hanging pictures either. I tell my husband where to put it and he does the work! He’s really good at getting it right.
Jessie C. says
Thanks for sharing, that’s such a neat little tool! Also, I agree with you on the paintbrush. I’ve been using ones very similar made by Purdy for YEARS and there is literally no other brush that I will bother cutting in with. I call them my “little stubby” brushes. And the soft flexible handle is so much nicer on your hands.
themakerista@gmail.com says
They are the best!
Christine says
Loving that tool. Thanks for sharing it!
claudia davis says
My walls are cement.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Oh, that makes things a little more tricky, doesn’t it!
Holly says
I’ve never heard of that before, sounds neat. Thanks for sharing!
angela says
Hi! For some reason your posts are no longer showing up for me on Feedly. I double-checked and make still subscribed. I just wanted to see if maybe anyone else has run into that issue and found a fix? Love your blog and don’t want to miss any posts!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hi Angela,
Unfortunately I’m getting daily emails and comments about this. Feedly has to change it on their end. If you wouldn’t mind taking the time to email care@feedly.com the more requests they get, the faster it might be fixed. For now you could subscribe to my email list so the blog comes right to your inbox. You can do that right under my picture in the sidebar. Thanks for reading, I appreciate you following along!
John Donovan says
There is an art to hanging great pictures. It can be difficult getting the pictures to stay put without ruining the wall. This method makes the whole process foolproof every time!
themakerista@gmail.com says
It really does!