A Guide to Mounting Artwork on Concrete Surfaces

Use a hammer drill when making holes in concrete walls.

First, figure out whether the concrete wall you are dealing with is solid or hollow, because that determines which anchor to use. For solid concrete, a one-piece expansion anchor is appropriate, while hollow concrete calls for a metal sleeve anchor. Next, determine the weight of the piece you plan to hang and select anchors capable of holding that load. As a general guideline, choose concrete wall anchors rated to support about 50 percent more weight than necessary, which gives you confidence that the piece will stay put.

Step 1

Position the artwork against the concrete wall and make a mark at the spot where you want its center to be. Aim to keep the middle of the piece near eye level, roughly between 5 feet 8 inches and 5 feet 10 inches. When the artwork will mainly be viewed by people who are seated, position it so that it sits at eye level for someone in a seated position.

Step 2

Take a measurement from the top edge of the artwork down to the point where the wire sits when it is held up, meaning the wire's highest point.

Step 3

Using that measurement, calculate how far below the mark on the wall the picture hook should be placed on the concrete.

Step 4

Put on safety goggles. Wearing them matters when you are drilling into hard wall surfaces.

Step 5

At the mark for the picture hook, drill a hole. Be sure the drill bit size corresponds to the size of the plastic plug intended for that hole. For a standard-sized painting, use a 6 mm drill bit together with a 6 mm plastic plug. If the painting is large and heavy, drill two holes and use two 6 mm plastic plugs placed with a wide gap between them.

Step 6

Push the plastic plug into the drilled hole. Drive the picture hook into the plug with a screw, then place your artwork on the hook.