I don't see why you wouldn't hang it.

If you do lean it, use a dab of museum or earthquake putty to keep it in place.

Hang away.

What's nice about leaning pictures is that you don't have to commit to it's position and have nail marks in the wall for specific pictures.

Museum putty is the answer! I even put a little bit on the backs of pictures that I have hanging on the wall to keep them from shifting.

Try hanging a picture on a lathe and plaster wall.

Try hanging a picture on a lathe and plaster wall.

Never used putty before, so thats an idea. Usually when I hang a picture it is there way too long, so I don't worry about changing anything,lol.

Design wise does leaning add something?

Our tenants find ways to hang as many as 30 pictures in one room on plaster walls! We now changed the lease to limit the holes.

In my mind leaning a picture on a shelf or mantel seems less formal than hanging the same picture on the wall. Since I change things often leaning works well for me as there are fewer holes in the wall. I've leaned pics on wall shelves, book shelves, buffets, and sideboards. Have also used plate holders for smaller paintings in vignettes. Haven't *yet* leaned pics on the floor altho have seen that done. Looks a bit as if one hasn't finished moving in to me.

There's no rule that says you shouldn't hang small artwork on a wall over a shelf instead of propping it up. I tend to prop most of mine because I like to move things around and don't want have to repair another nail hole in my walls. I also use small wooden easels to hold framed artwork. This way, when I want to add a new piece of pottery or a few new books to a shelf, moving my artwork is quick and easy.
Lynn

Leaning artwork is a trend. Someday, we'll go back to hanging everything.

It's also a look, somewhat more casual than hanging things up.

It's also great for the undecided, or for putting artwork over a large piece of furniture, where hanging it would mean moving the large, heavy, awkward piece of furniture and you just don't feel like doing that right now. (Hence the picture leaning on top of the living room bookcase as I type. Haven't felt like taking out all the books, moving the bookcase, getting out the ladder and putting up a hook, moving the bookcase back and reshelving all the books for about two years now.)

KellyKath--if you want to hang artwork on plaster walls, check out the Ook line of picture hangers. Many are specially designed to hang things on plaster. And they really work. My house was built in 1900 and has the original plaster walls, so I know from experience. (Not associated with the Ook company, just a satisfied customer.)

I do both ways, sometimes I like the look better leaning, other times hanging.

Camlan--do you use any Ook hook or just certain for plaster?

I do both, of course, but love the leaning look. It's a subtle, interesting juxtaposition of traditional and modern decorating. Takes the stuffiness out of those formal pictures and mirrors. The plus being no commitment to nail holes.

I don't think it's trendy. I like it when things loosen up.

Here is a picture of how I mounted a picture on my shelf

[Traditional Home Office design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-home-office-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_732~s_2107) by Chicago Kitchen And Bath Mackey's MPI Inc.

Here is a closeup of the same shelf with the picture mounted :)

[Traditional Home Office design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-home-office-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_732~s_2107) by Chicago Kitchen And Bath Mackey's MPI Inc.

I considered a similar application. I ended up getting a plate/picture stand. I think it bridges the gap between leaning and hanging. I would only lean what does not have the ability to hang. I have been given framed pictures with no back hanger--most frustrating!!

For Lizbeth-gardener:

The package of Ook hooks that I have says, "Ideal for sheet Rock & Plaster Wall" right on the front. From my experience, most of the smaller hooks, for lighter weights, are plaster-safe. But you should check the package to make sure. They have some sort of special, thin, nail that makes a very tiny hole in the plaster and doesn't crack it and make a big mess.

Some of the larger hooks, the ones for 50 pounds or more, don't say that they are plaster-safe. I have used them on plaster walls successfully, though. However, you should be prepared to have a tough time hammering the nails in--the nails are long enough that they go through the plaster and into the lathe and it can take a fair bit of strength to get the nail all the way into the wall.

I like the hooks so much that when I move, I take them with me to the new house. They are easy to remove without damaging the walls.

Thanks for the museum putty suggestion! I usually lean because I hate patching and painting holes and struggle to commit to art placement.