HOW TO HANG WALL ART WITHOUT DAMAGE FOR RENTERS | APARTMENTS
8 Options for hanging wall art and prints without wall damage:
REMOVEABLE STRIPS
REMOVEABLE HOOKS
ALTERNATIVE HOOKS
SHELVES
LEAN ART AGAINST WALL
ONE FRAME = MULTIPLE OPTIONS
ART EASEL
CLIPS
HOW TO HANG ART
Without Wall Damage, Nails or Hassle
It can be difficult to feel "settled in" if you live in a rental. You can't make any big changes to the space—no matter how outdated the bathroom tiling is or how much you despise the bright light bulbs in the living room—and everything you do needs to be completely un-doable when you go.
One of the simplest ways to make your home feel more lived-in and cozy is to hang wall art, but there's one problem: spackling is a pain. While it isn't the most difficult task you'll face when you move out, it is time-consuming and something you'll dread when the time comes, so it's sometimes preferable to avoid it altogether.
COMMAND STRIPS
Easy, peasy option
This is arguably the most frequent way for hanging frames, paintings, and other artwork on the wall without leaving a trace. The velcro-like Command picture-hanging strips are meant for, well, picture hanging, while the plain adhesive Command strips are great for lighter objects like paper, poster board, and smaller frames. They come in various sizes to handle various weights, and you may use more than one on a frame to provide additional support. When you want your art to blend in with the wall, these are wonderful solutions. There will be no gap between the wall and your art, resulting in a smooth, flush finish.
Smaller, lighter artworks are perfect for hanging with strips or alternative / temporary hooks.
A little fancier option: HOOKS ON COMMAND
COMMAND HOOKS
You might want to use a Command hook instead if you have bigger items to display (we're looking at you, heavy vintage framed artwork). The Designer and Utility hooks come in sizes that can hold up to 7.5 pounds of weight (this hook is specifically for larger items). You can use more of them in a straight line for heavier works and hook the wire from your art onto it. Your work will feel more removed from the wall and almost gallery-like because the hooks protrude a few centimeters from the wall. There are also Command nails with an adhesive backing but a wire brad head, so you may get the same result as the hooks but without the mess.
ALTERNATIVE HOOKS
You might be trying to avoid putting any holes in your wall at all, but if you have to, make it these. Monkey Hooks, Super Hooks can support pieces of art up to 150 pounds, making these an ideal choice for mirrors and other extremely heavy decor. The best parts? You don't need to find a stud, they can be installed without any tools, and they only leave a hole in the wall the size of a pinhead. It sounds too good to be true, but if the infomercials are any indication, they definitely work.
ONE FRAME = MULTIPLE LOOKS - Use one frame and a book of prints to change up the look of the room anytime!
ONE FRAME - NUMEROUS ART OPTIONS
If you choose one frame and then buy prints the size of that frame, you can then re-design your room look with a quick swap of the print!
Purchase multiple prints or a book of prints (like this one) and then just change them up whenever you like. You only have to install one alternative hook or temporary strip to hand the frame, but you get ever-changing results! This method is also very cost-effective.
USE WHAT YOU HAVE: WALL MOLDING
Use your molding picture to hang art. Rail molding is becoming increasingly rare, but if you're lucky enough to live somewhere where it still exists, take use of it. All you have to do now is find hooks that are the same width as your molding, as well as some visually beautiful rope or string, and start designing your walls. This system is incredibly modular, allowing you to simply switch out your artwork. Because the thread is the unifying element (literally) bringing all the pieces together, it's also a terrific way to use a variety of frames and even different media of wall art.
Framed art print on a shelf
SHELVES
Bookshelves are fantastic for showcasing art. Your carefully selected artworks and frames can be placed on open shelves or in groupings. You can display both your favorite books and a beautiful painting or framed print or sculpture on your bookshelves, You can display then interspersed with each other.
Lean Your Art Against The Wall
This is the most basic (and popular for modern art) solution, but it is also the most effective. You may use all of the empty space on top of your massive dresser or media console to express yourself artistically. Play around with the pieces you have by overlapping them or grouping them all on one side for asymmetry—the possibilities are endless. This applies to larger objects that can be placed on the floor as well. When placed at the same level as your feet, mirrors and larger canvases can have a great impact.
USE AN EASEL
Bring out your inner artiste! Place the artwork on an easel.
Easels can take up a lot of floor space, so if you're working in a small location, this might not be the ideal option. Try putting your art on an easel or pedestal if you have the space, especially in larger common areas where a statement art piece might become the focal point of the room.
Because it won't feel as two-dimensional as if it were mounted on a wall, this type of display will add another layer of interaction with the piece.
USE CLIPS
Try this trick if you enjoy the concept of having defined spaces for your art but also want the flexibility of being able to switch up your pieces. Instead of using Command adhesives directly on the art, use clips (binder clips, clothespins, and office clips all work).
Plan out where each clip will go on the wall, then insert your art into the appropriate clips. When you want to rearrange things, simply unclip the art from its original location and replace it. The best part about this approach is that you don't have to change the clip configuration if you don't want to.
PEGBOARD - CORK BOARD
Attach your art to a cork board and then when you’re tired of it or re-designing your space, just remove it and hang something new!
Because you can swap the art out whenever you choose, this choice is ideal for commitment-phobes. It can be utilized as a headboard, an accent wall, or anything else you like. The only drawback is that you must use drywall anchors and screws to secure the pegboard to the wall, but after that, you can hang any art you like.