How to Wall Mount a Digital Picture Frame (Step-by-Step)

Hanging a digital frame on the wall makes it look like a piece of art. But it takes a little more work than putting one on a desk. You need to think about the mount, the power cord, and the frame's weight. Here is how to do it right.

Which Frames Support Wall Mounting?

Not every digital frame is built to hang on a wall. Some have a desk stand only. Here is a quick breakdown:

• Meural Canvas II: Comes with a wall mount kit. Built for the wall. Best choice for wall mounting.
• Aura Walden: Has a built-in wall mount slot on the back. Hangs in landscape or portrait.
• Nixplay 15.6: Wall-mountable with a standard VESA mount or keyhole slot.
• Skylight 15: Wall-mountable with included hardware.
• Pix-Star 15: Has a keyhole slot for wall mounting.

Most 10-inch frames are designed for desks and do not include wall mounting hardware. If wall mounting is your goal, go with a 15-inch or larger frame. See our best wall-mount frames page for top picks.

What You Need

• Your digital frame
• A drill or screwdriver
• Wall anchors (if not drilling into a stud)
• Screws (often included with the frame)
• A level to make sure the frame hangs straight
• A cable cover channel or cord hider for a clean look
• A measuring tape

Step 1: Choose the Location

Pick a spot near a power outlet. Digital frames need to be plugged in at all times, so the closer to an outlet, the easier cord management will be. Avoid spots with direct sunlight, which causes glare on the screen.

Hang the frame at eye level. In a hallway, that is about 57 to 60 inches from the floor to the center of the frame. In a living room where people are seated, lower it to about 48 inches.

Step 2: Mount the Bracket or Screw

Check the back of your frame. Most frames have either a keyhole slot or a bracket mount. For a keyhole slot, drive one screw into the wall and hang the frame on it. For a bracket mount, screw the bracket into the wall first, then click the frame onto the bracket.

Use a level to make sure your screw or bracket is straight before hanging the frame. Nothing looks worse than a crooked frame on the wall.

If you are not drilling into a wall stud, use drywall anchors. Most digital frames weigh 2 to 5 pounds, so standard plastic anchors are fine.

Step 3: Manage the Power Cord

This is the hardest part. A frame on the wall with a cord dangling down looks messy. Here are three ways to fix it:

• Cable cover channel. Stick a flat cable channel to the wall from the frame down to the outlet. Paint it the same color as your wall. This is the easiest and cheapest option, usually under $10.
• In-wall cable pass-through. Cut two holes in the drywall, one behind the frame and one near the outlet. Run the cord inside the wall. This gives a perfectly clean look but requires some DIY skill.
• Place near an outlet. If the outlet is right below where the frame hangs, the short cord run is barely noticeable. Tuck the cord against the baseboard with adhesive cord clips.

Step 4: Hang and Level

Place the frame on the screw or bracket. Step back and check that it looks level. Adjust if needed. Plug in the power cord and route it using your chosen cord management method.

DIY vs Kit

Some frames come with all the mounting hardware you need. The Meural Canvas II includes a wall mount kit with detailed instructions. For other frames, you may need to buy a small picture hanging kit from a hardware store.

For a professional look with hidden cables, consider hiring a handyperson. They can run the cord through the wall in about 30 minutes.

Tips for a Clean Look

• Match the cable cover color to your wall paint.
• Use a power strip behind a piece of furniture so you do not see the plug.
• Set the frame to portrait or landscape depending on the wall space.
• Group the frame with other wall art for a gallery look.