How to Hang Pictures Without Nails

Co-authored by Cindy Hofen

Last Updated: July 7, 2024 Fact Checked

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Hanging pictures is a great way to decorate and personalize a space. But there are many places where you may want to hang a picture but can’t use nails, perhaps because you don’t want to leave large holes in the wall, can’t drill or hammer through the wall, or will be changing your pictures or their arrangement frequently. This is when it comes in handy to know how to hang pictures without nails, which you can do with tacks, various adhesive products, and other ingenious solutions. There are several methods to choose from, and you can decide what will work best for you depending on your supplies and circumstances.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using Picture Hanging Strips

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1
Remove hanging hardware. Adhesive picture hanging strips need flat surfaces to work properly, so remove any protruding hanging hardware that has been installed on the back of the picture.^{[1]
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Research source} This includes nails, screws, wires, keyhole or sawtooth fasteners, or anything else that could make the back surface of the picture uneven.
- Picture-hanging strips are a great way to put up your pictures without damaging the wall, and they're super easy to use.^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Cindy Hofen
  Professional Organizer & Home Staging Specialist
  
  Expert Interview. 13 February 2020.} You can find them (as well as adhesive nails and hooks) at office supply stores, craft stores, hardware stores, and online.
2
Clean your surfaces. Adhesive picture hanging strips require a clean surface to stick properly, so wipe down your picture and the wall where you’re going to hang it with a clean cloth and isopropyl alcohol.^{[3]
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Research source}
- Allow the surfaces to dry before applying the strips.
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3
Apply the strips. For each set of strips, press the two different sides together. One set at a time, remove one liner and press the adhesive to the back of the picture. Continue pressing for 30 seconds. Repeat until the required strips have been applied.
- One set of strips will hold up to three pounds (1.36 kg), and most 8x10-inch (20x28 cm) pictures. If you only need a single set of strips, position it at the top center of the picture.
- Two sets of strips will hold up to six pounds (2.7 kg), and most 11x17-inch (28x44 cm) pictures. Position one set of strips at each top corner of the picture.
- Four sets of strips will hold up to twelve pounds (5.4 kg), and most 18x24-inch (46x61 cm) pictures. Position one set of strips at each top corner of the picture; position another set on each side of the picture, two-thirds of the way down from the top.^{[4]
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  Research source}
First, remove the liner on the outside of the strips to reveal the adhesive. Then, press the picture against the wall. Slowly separate the strips on the picture from those on the wall by gently pulling on the bottom corners of the picture and lifting. With your fingers, press the strips against the wall for 30 seconds.
This allows all the adhesive on the strips to set and dry. When the hour is up, replace the picture back onto the wall by lining up the strips.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Adhesive Hooks or Nails

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1
Clean your wall. Like picture hanging strips, adhesive hooks and nails require clean surfaces, so wipe down the wall with a clean cloth and isopropyl alcohol, then let it dry.
- Adhesive hooks or nails have adhesive backings that stick to walls, so that you can mount pictures using the hanging hardware attached to the picture. Depending on the hardware on your picture, make sure you purchase the appropriate adhesive hanging equipment.
2
Prepare the adhesive. Remove the liner from the adhesive strip and affix it to the hook or nail.
- Some adhesive hooks come with the adhesive already affixed to the back. Skip this step and move on to the next if that’s the case with the adhesive hook you have.
First, remove the liner from the back of the adhesive that’s attached to your hook or nail. In the place where you want your picture hung, firmly press the adhesive hook or nail against the wall for 30 seconds.^{[5]
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4
Wait an hour for the adhesive to dry. When the hour is up, hang your pictures normally based on the hanging hardware installed.
- Make sure you know the weight of your picture before you purchase adhesive nails, as they generally only hold between five and eight pounds (2.26 and 3.6 kg), while smaller hooks may only hold one or two pounds (0.45 or 0.9 kg).
- To hang a picture that’s heavier than what your adhesive nails or hooks are rated for, use more than one. Ensure the weight gets distributed evenly by using a level during installation.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using Press-in Hooks

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1
Choose your hooks. There are several brands that make hooks that are designed to be inserted into drywall without hammers, nails, or any other tools. These include Hercules Hooks, Super Hooks, Monkey Hooks, and Gorilla Hooks.^{[6]
X
Research source} They are made of different materials and rated to hold varying weights, but each one does require making a small hole in the wall. According to the manufacturers:
- A Hercules Hook can hold as much as 150 pounds (68 kg).
- A Super Hook can hold up to 80 pounds (36.28 kg).
- A Monkey Hook can hold up to 35 pounds (15.87 kg).
- A Gorilla Hook can hold as much as 50 pounds (22.67 kg).
Push the long, curved (not kinked), tapered end of the hook through your drywall. Once you’ve pushed it most of the way in, position it so the small hook on the outside will be facing upright (so that you can hang things from it). Set it in place by pushing it in the rest of the way.^{[7]
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Research source}
Most press-in hooks come in packs of four or more. To hang heavier pictures using two hooks, measure the width of the picture and divide it into thirds. Place one hook at the one-third mark, and a second hook at the two-thirds mark. For even heavier pictures that require three hooks, measure the picture and divide it into quarters. Place one hook at the one-quarter mark, one hook in the center (two-quarters), and one hook at the three-quarter mark.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Tape or Reusable Adhesive

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1
Select your adhesive. Double-sided tape will work to affix lightweight pictures to walls, though it’s not necessarily designed for that job and may strip paint when it comes off. Reusable adhesive, also known as sticky tack or poster tack, is designed to affix lightweight pictures to walls, but it can get gummy over time and be difficult to remove.
- Reusable adhesives and tapes are strong enough to hold loose pictures or posters (not in a frame), but are not designed to hold much more than one pound (0.45 kg).
- Single-sided tape can be converted into makeshift double-sided tape by taking a strip of tape, making it into a loop with the adhesive side out, and fastening the ends of the tape together to close the loop.
2
Prepare the wall. Adhesives will work best with clean surfaces, so wipe down your wall with a clean cloth and isopropyl alcohol. While waiting for that to dry, wipe down the back of your poster or picture with a clean, dry cloth.
- Wash your hands before handling reusable adhesive to prevent transferring dirt or oil onto it.
Lay your picture face down on a flat surface. Press small balls of reusable adhesive or small squares of double-sided tape to the corners of your picture (on the back of the picture). If you’re hanging a larger picture, frame the back outside edge with adhesive or tape.
Once you’ve got your tape or adhesive in place, pick up the picture, line it up on the wall, and press it against the wall to affix the adhesive or tape to the wall.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Hanging a Picture String

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1
Find existing wall fixtures. Look for hooks, screws, vents, or knobs that are already in place and that could bear a few extra pounds. Note that this method will be most appropriate for lightweight pictures that aren’t in frames.
- Look for wall features that are out of the way and that could have a string run between them without posing a strangulation risk.
2
Tie on your string. Cut a length of string, twine, or wire that’s long enough to span the distance between the two wall fixtures, plus some extra for tying knots. Tie each end of the string to a separate wall fixture. You can either pull the string taut or leave it slightly loose and droopy.
- A taut string will look more rigid and uniform, while a droopy string will look more relaxed and artistic. The choice between the two is a matter of aesthetic preference.
- Wire will be harder to tie than string or twine (it will be easier to wrap it tightly around your fixture than tie it), will provide an industrial look, and will allow pictures to slide around for quick re-positioning. Wire is thin and strong, but doesn't lend itself to the droopy look.
- Twine and string will be easy to tie, can be left droopy or pulled taut, and will provide a more rustic look.Twine will be thicker than wire or string, but stronger than string. String will be thinner than twine, but not as strong.
3
Hang your pictures. Use clothespins or clips to affix your pictures to the string.^{[8]
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Research source} If your string begins to sag more than it's supposed to or the knots won't stay tied, you may have too much weight. Either use stronger twine or wire, or tie a second string to different fixtures for a second row of pictures.
- To distribute weight and pictures evenly, place your first picture in the center of the string using your eye or a tape measure. Using the first picture as the center point that separates two halves, divide those halves in half again, and place one picture at each center point. Continue dividing your spaces in half and using the center points as picture locations until all your pictures are hung.

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Question

Will any of these techniques work on textured walls?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

Press-in hooks are probably your best bet. Adhesive picture hanging strips aren’t designed for textured walls—they probably won’t hold long and are likely to strip off the paint.

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What’s the best way to hang something heavy without nails?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

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There are picture hanging strips designed specifically for heavy pictures and mirrors that you can use. Just check the packaging to make sure your object doesn’t exceed the maximum recommended load. You can also try heavy-duty push-in picture hangers, but be aware that these will leave a small hole in your wall.

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We are in a very old building with walls made of gypsum tile. Is there a way to hang art on walls without resorting to suspending it on wire from pix molding?

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Depending on how heavy the pictures are, you may be able to use the 3M Command strips. You might want to double them, hanging two side by side for added support.

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Tips

A corkboard that’s already in place or propped up against a wall or furniture can be used to display pictures.

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Framed or loose pictures can be displayed by being propped up against mantles, bookshelves, furniture, or other objects, or placed in standing frames.

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Thumbtacks can be used to hang loose pictures, posters, or very lightweight framed pictures with wire hangers, as long as you can put small holes in the wall.

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