Have you ever bought pictures and then found it takes you a while to actually hang then on your wall? These tips should help give you that much needed boost to get them up. You can bring a blank wall to life if you follow our easy steps.

Experiment with various configurations before hanging your artwork. Trace, then cut out each frame's outline onto brown paper. Tape the papers to the wall, then arrange them until you are happy with the placement.

Next, hang your pictures. Place a sofa or another piece of furniture under your arrangement to anchor the artwork. You can hang several pictures within the confines of a square or rectangle. Or, for an orderly yet relaxed look, align them along one axis only, say, the central line, along the top or the bottom.

You'll need a tape measure, level, plus a hammer, screwdriver or drill to hang pictures. Visit a hardware store and you'll find a host of hooks suitable for both plasterboard and masonry walls. Opt for adhesive discs or spring hangers for plates.

Highlight your pictures with mat boards. They come in a multitude of colours, metallic finishes and even covered in fabric or wallpaper. Depending on your preference, your mats can grab attention or fade into the background.