How to Hang a Painting Without Damaging the Wall

Are you intimidated by the thought of hanging art on your wall? Afraid you might damage the paint or drywall? Not sure what to use on non-traditional walls?

We’ve all been there. Hanging artwork can be frustrating, with extra nail holes, torn drywall from a heavy piece of artwork, or a dent in the wall from missing the nail with a hammer. Sometimes the worry of what might happen is enough to keep people from hanging their favorite artwork. But with a few tips and tricks to help you along the way, you can learn how to hang a painting without damaging the wall.

Plan Ahead for Hanging Artwork

When it comes to hanging artwork, any plan is better than no plan at all. Here are some factors to consider when hanging artwork:

  • Wall Space
    Before hanging any artwork, it is important to look at the amount of wall space available. Cut pieces of paper the size and shape of each painting and tape them to the wall to plan where each piece will go. This will also give you a handy blueprint for where to put a nail or adhesive hook.
  • Artwork Weight
    The heavier a painting is, the more careful you need to be when hanging it. Lightweight pieces can often be hung using tacks or small nails. Large, heavy pieces will require screw anchors or heavy-duty eyelets to prevent wall damage.
  • Use a Stud Finder
    Locating the studs in the walls is especially helpful if you are hanging heavy pieces of art. The last thing you want is to have your cherished oil painting come crashing down onto the floor.
  • Wall Construction
    Your wall construction will factor heavily into your art hanging method. The next section will explain how to hang artwork on different types of walls.

Hanging Artwork on Different Types of Walls

Different types of walls require different kinds of hardware and materials to properly hang artwork. Depending on the type of wall the art will be hung on, different types of materials may need to be used for the best result.

  • Brick Clamp: Brick walls can be intimating. Rather than drilling into a brick wall, brick clamps are a great alternative! Brick clamps are found at your local hardware or home improvement store. The size of the clip you will need depends on the height of the brick. These clamps have teeth that wedge into the mortar along the top of a brick and a bottom prong that stabilized the hook against the bottom of the brick. Once they have been installed, you call hang your artwork using the hook on the clamp. An important thing to keep in mind is that brick clamps are designed to hold a couple of pounds, so save them for the lightest pieces of artwork in your collection
  • Adhesive Hooks: Adhesive hooks are a dream when it comes to hanging artwork. These hooks can be used on drywall, painted walls, plaster and even smooth brick walls! They come in many different shapes and sizes, making them compatible with a wide range of artwork. They are also reusable, so if you aren’t happy with where a piece of art has been hung, you can simply remove the adhesive and remount the hook.
  • Mounting Kits: Mounting kits are ideal for hanging larger pieces of artwork. These kits can be also be found at your local hardware, department or craft store. These kits have everything you need to hang the most common frames on your wall. Keep in mind, if you are hanging anything over 20 pounds, you will need to use a wall anchor for drywall or a mounting bracket for a wall stud. If these items are not included in the mounting kit, you can purchase them at any hardware store.

Other Tips and Tricks for Hanging Artwork

  • Try nontraditional methods of displaying pictures or small pieces of artwork. For example, hang a string across the wall with a small nail at each end, and fasten small photos to the string with laundry clips.
  • Put pieces of masking tape or felt pads on the back corners of any frames that are resting against the wall. This will keep the frames from rubbing directly against the wall and scratching the paint. We also suggest using bumpers to provide a gap between the wall and artwork to allow natural airflow.
  • Hanging paintings at eye level will ensure you will always see your artwork without having to look up or down at the wall.

If a piece of artwork crashes to the ground, remember that Prism Specialties restores all kinds of artwork. Our restoration experts repair everything from oil paintings to sculptures, following any kind of damaging event. Give us a call at 888-826-9429 or complete our online Service Request form today!

When disaster strikes, our colleagues at Prism Specialties will be there to save your electronics and appliances from the landfill.