DIY : How To Hang A Mirror

Hanging a mirror can be a stressful situation.  Mirrors can be heavy, large, and expensive if damaged.  Here are some DIY decorating tips on hanging a mirror. 

When hanging a mirror there are a few tools you will need:

• Hammer 
• Nails
• Tape Measure
• Level
• Bath Towel
• And if it's a heavy mirror, 
• maybe an extra hand

Most heavy mirrors will have hooks on both sides of the frame.

1. Measure your mirror from hook center to other hook center.
2. Measure your mirror from base of mirror to top of hook.
3. Measure both sides - sometimes the hooks may be different heights. If hanging mirror above a surface (such as a console table) measure from the base of the floor to the top of your console.
4. Combine the height of the chest with the amount of space you want between the surface (a chest) and the mirror (as a rule of thumb* about 6 inchs - but you decide).
5. Combine the total from the floor to surface top to the length you got from the measurement from the mirror base to the top of the mirror hooks.
6. Find the center of the console - in the center, make a mark on the wall at your total height.
7. Split your width from the center mark - and make two outside marks at your hook height.
8. Measure from the floor to the two outside marks to double check the heights.
9. Hammer hooks into the marks (if using mirror hangers - hang bottom of the hook to top of mark or the measurement will be wrong.)
10. If you chest or buffet is too heavy to move out of the way. Use a bath towel or two to cover furniture surface so it does not get scuffed or scratched.
11. Crab a partner and hang mirror. Hang each side one at a time
12. Check with level. Done. 

* As a rule of thumb : give your mirror space to breath.  Allow about 6 inches above the surface you are hanging the mirror.  Notice in the photo, this mirror is about 8-10 inches above the chest.  As any rule goes, rules are made to be broken.  Use your eye to decide what looks best.