Whether you're renting and want to keep your deposit, or you just don't fancy getting the drill out, hanging art without putting holes in the wall is completely doable. The methods have genuinely improved over the last few years and the best options now hold real weight reliably.
This guide covers everything that actually works, what to avoid, and how to get your art looking properly hung rather than like an afterthought.
Why most people get this wrong
The main mistake is reaching for the cheapest adhesive strips from a supermarket and overloading them. They work fine for light items but give way under heavier framed prints, usually at the worst possible moment. The second mistake is not preparing the wall surface properly before applying anything, which means even good products fail faster than they should.
Get both of those right and damage-free hanging is straightforward.
The best methods for hanging art without drilling
1. Adhesive picture-hanging strips
This is the most popular damage-free option and for good reason. Brands like Command make strips specifically rated for picture hanging, and they come in different weight capacities so you can match the product to what you're hanging.
How they work: Two interlocking strips — one on the wall, one on the back of the frame. They bond together and hold the frame flush against the wall. To remove, you pull a tab straight down slowly and the strip stretches off without damaging paintwork.
Weight limits to know:
- Small strips hold up to around 1.3 kg
- Medium strips hold up to around 2.7 kg
- Large strips hold up to around 3.6 kg
- For heavier pieces, use multiple pairs
Tips for getting them right:
- Clean the wall with isopropyl alcohol before applying and let it dry fully
- Press firmly for 30 seconds and then wait the full hour (or ideally 24 hours) before hanging
- Don't use on fresh paint, wallpaper, or textured walls — the bond won't hold properly
- Check the weight of your frame before choosing which size strips to use
Most of our framed art prints come with pre-mounted hooks on the back, so you'll want to use the hook-and-strip version rather than the flat frame version.
2. Adhesive hooks
Similar technology to the strips but in a hook format, which suits frames with a hanging wire or sawtooth bracket on the back. Again, Command is the best-known brand but other options work just as well.
Adhesive hooks are particularly useful for lighter art prints and posters in frames with a wire across the back. A single hook can hold a surprising amount if the wall surface is clean and the hook is the right size.
3. Picture hanging strips with a rail system
If you're hanging multiple pieces or planning a gallery wall and don't want to commit every print to a fixed position, a picture rail system is worth considering. These use a long adhesive strip along the top of the wall from which you hang adjustable cords or rods. You can slide prints along the rail and adjust heights without touching the wall again.
They're more of an investment upfront but genuinely useful if your taste changes or you want to rotate prints regularly.
4. Washi tape and decorative tape
This only works for unframed prints and lightweight paper posters, but it's worth including because it's so simple. Good quality washi tape holds paper prints flat against the wall and peels off cleanly without taking paint with it.
The look is intentionally casual and a bit lo-fi, which suits certain styles really well. If you're going for a maximalist or eclectic feel with lots of overlapping prints and postcards, washi tape is actually a design choice in itself rather than a compromise.
It is not suitable for framed prints of any weight.
5. Leaning
Genuinely underrated. Leaning a large framed print or canvas against the wall, either on the floor or on a shelf, is a completely legitimate way to display art and it has become a very popular look in interior design. It works particularly well for larger pieces and gives a relaxed, lived-in feel.
If you're leaning something on the floor, make sure the surface behind the frame won't scratch and consider a small piece of non-slip mat underneath to stop it sliding.
What to think about before you choose a method
How heavy is the piece? Weigh it if you're unsure. A lightweight A3 poster in a thin frame might be 400g. A large framed canvas can be 3 to 4 kg. The hanging method has to match the weight.
What is your wall surface? Smooth painted plaster is the ideal surface for adhesive products. Textured walls, porous surfaces, wallpaper and fresh paint all reduce adhesion significantly. If your walls are textured, leaning or a rail system are safer options.
Is the location permanent? If you know exactly where you want the piece and won't be moving it, strips are fine. If you like to rearrange things or rotate your art regularly, a rail system or leaning gives you much more flexibility.
How are our frames set up to hang? All Fy! framed prints come with pre-mounted hooks on the back, so the hook-style adhesive strips or hooks are the right option rather than flat-surface strips.
Room-specific tips
Bedroom: Adhesive strips work well here as bedrooms tend to have smooth walls and relatively stable temperatures. For art above the bed, make sure you're using enough strips for the weight — this is not somewhere you want a frame falling at 3am.
Browse bedroom art prints on Fy!
Bathroom: Adhesive products struggle in bathrooms with high humidity as moisture weakens the bond over time. In a steamy bathroom, leaning a print on a shelf or window ledge is a more reliable option than sticking anything to the wall. If you do use strips, apply them when the room is fully dry and ventilated.
Browse bathroom art prints on Fy!
Hallway: Hallways often have textured or patterned wallpaper, which is tricky for adhesive products. A picture rail along the top of the wall is a good long-term solution for hallways, and it fits the period feel of many UK hallways naturally.
Browse hallway art prints on Fy!
Living room: For larger pieces, leaning is worth considering here. A big canvas or XL art print leaned against the wall on a sideboard or directly on the floor can look intentional and considered rather than lazy.
What actually damages walls
A few things are worth avoiding if you're trying to keep your deposit.
Regular tape — sellotape, masking tape, parcel tape — will pull paint off when you remove it. Don't use any of these on painted walls. Double-sided foam tape is similarly risky. The only tape-style products worth using are those specifically designed for wall hanging, like Command strips, which are engineered to release cleanly.
Nails and picture hooks made of hardened steel can be removed and the small holes filled before you move out, but that's more work and still a risk. If you're renting, it's worth checking your tenancy agreement as some specifically prohibit any holes at all.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Do Command strips actually work for heavy frames?
Yes, if you use the right size and prepare the wall properly. Large Command strips hold up to 3.6 kg each, and you can use multiple pairs to increase the capacity. The most common reason they fail is applying them to a wall that hasn't been cleaned first, or not waiting long enough before hanging.
Q: Can I use adhesive strips on wallpaper?
Command and similar brands advise against using their strips on wallpaper because the adhesive can pull the paper away from the wall when you remove it. If your walls are papered, leaning or a rail system are safer choices.
Q: Will adhesive strips damage my paint when I remove them?
Not if you remove them correctly. Pull the tab slowly straight down parallel to the wall — don't pull it outward. If you pull too fast or at an angle, there's a higher risk of paint coming with it. Leaving the strip on for a very long time also increases the risk, so if you're moving things around, remove and replace rather than leaving old strips in place.
Q: How do I hang a gallery wall without making holes?
Plan your layout on the floor first before you commit to any positions on the wall. Use paper templates cut to the size of each frame and arrange them on the floor until you're happy with the layout. Then use masking tape to mock the arrangement up on the wall temporarily before applying any strips. This saves a lot of repositioning once the adhesive is on the wall.
Q: Can I hang canvas prints without drilling?
Yes. Canvas prints are usually lighter than framed prints of the same size because they don't have glazing, which makes them well suited to adhesive hooks and strips. Check the weight first and choose strips rated for that weight plus a small margin.
Quick answer: how do you hang art without making holes?
For most framed prints, Command picture-hanging strips or adhesive hooks are the most reliable damage-free option. Clean the wall first, use strips rated for the weight of the piece, and wait the full drying time before hanging. For larger pieces or rented homes with textured walls, leaning the art on a shelf or the floor is a genuinely good-looking alternative.
Read next: How to display wall art in a rented home · How to create a gallery wall to match your style
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