What is the best way to hang a large mirror...

[askyourgran]

I'm thinking of buying a large mirror to go over my mantelshelf, but (apart from holding it up to measure) how can I ensure it wlll be straight. I'm hopeless hanging pictures so I need to get this right.

[craft1948]

I have a very large mantel mirror......the bottom actually sits on the mantel.

[boxtops]

You can buy a gizmo at B&Q which has a laser line to show if a picture or hanging item is straight - or use my idiotproof method, measure straight up from the mantelshelf and make two marks at the same distance up, to put the fixings in.

I have a huge heavy Indian wood mirror over my fireplace downstairs, I was so worried about it falling that it stands with its base on the mantelpiece, with coach bolts cemented into the wall holding up the rest of it!

[askyourgran]

I thought of doing that craft but it's marking the spot x on the wall to put the nail, doh I'm such an idiot at this.

[boxtops]

Two nails, gran, two nails. It's going to be heavy.

[craft1948]

lol gran so am I......the builder did mine for me :-)

[askyourgran]

Two nails, that means I've got to get the nails level as well! I'll look for the gizmo in B&Q, thanks boxy.

[anneasquith]

spirit level,!

[welshlibranr]

I have a large, heavy mantel mirror gran, do what I did!.......Get a man in!...........Best option!...........lol.................

[boxtops]

...and measure up from the mantel shelf too gran, to give you a straight nail line. Assuming of course that your mantel is level!

[askyourgran]

Thanks anne and Welsh, I do have a nice man of my own but he's not quite up to this, I think I know of one who has a spirit level now you mention it.

[welshlibranr]

Oh gran, do you really want the trouble of hanging it yourself!....you must know a chap who is good at DIY!..........it'll take him minutes!...........

[NazNomad]

Check your mantleshelf is level first ...
You don't need the mirror to be 'level', but you do need it to be parallel with your mantleshelf (if you see my meaning?) or it'll look 'fissed as a part'.
Easily attained by measuring from the shelf to the mirror, or standing the mirron on 2 equally sized blocks of wood to get your 'level'.

[craft1948]

Why don't you just get one of those mirrors that stand on your mantelpiece......

[karenmac60]

Craft, I thought you said the butler did yours - I thought 'blimey, she's posh!' :)

[society]

Borrow Crafty builder, Gran. But... that's if she'll lend him... :-)

[askyourgran]

Do you mean one of those swivelly shaving mirrors crafty lol. Thanks naz that is good advice, I get what you mean esp the fissed part. It's a bit annoying when it could be done perfectly, in minutes by someone who knows what they are doing. It will probably be like WWII by the time we've finished.

[carmalee]

ayg - the best way to hang a large mirror is directly over the bed with the assistance of a well endowed handyman.