14 Ways to Hang or Stick Things on Walls Without Damage

Protect drywall and paint with these easy-to-use (and remove) tricks

Co-authored by Jason Phillip and Devin McSween

Last Updated: December 16, 2024 Fact Checked

One of the biggest deterrents to hanging up decorations is not wanting to damage your walls, especially if you’re a renter who’s worried about your security deposit. Luckily, there are plenty of easy ways to decorate your walls without leaving marks or damage. We spoke with expert handymen and decorators to learn the best ways to hang up artwork, photos, and posters with items like Command Strips, putty, and washi tape. Read on to find out more!

Best Ways to Hang Things Without Damaging Walls or Paint

Use Command Strips/Hooks or velcro tape for light items up to 20 pounds (9.1 kg).
Try S-hooks with wire or monkey hooks that only require tiny holes in the wall.
Cover your wall with corkboard, pegboard, a trellis, or magnetic paint.
Use mantels and other furniture to prop up heavy items.

1

Command Strips

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Hang heavy items up to 20 lb (9.1 kg) using Command Strips . To apply Command Strips , clean the wall with a damp sponge. Then, peel off the backing from 1 side of 1 Command Strip and press it sticky-side-down against 1 back top corner of the item. Repeat this for the other corner, then peel off the backing from the exposed side of each strip. Press the item against the wall and hold it firmly against the wall for 30 seconds. ^{[1]
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- Handyman Jason Phillip says to read the front of the Command Strip packaging to ensure it can support the weight of the item you want to hang. ^{[2]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jason Phillip
  Handyman
  
  Expert Interview. 2 July 2020.} The strips come in different sizes with different weight capacities up to 20 lb (9.1 kg).
- You can use Command Strips on pretty much any smooth wall surface without damaging the wall.
- Phillip does not recommend using Command Strips on stucco or cement or rooms that get humid, as the humidity can weaken the adhesive. ^{[3]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Jason Phillip
  Handyman
  
  Expert Interview. 2 July 2020.} Also, avoid using them on wallpapered walls because they can rip the wallpaper.
Tip : You can also get Command Hooks if you want to stick hooks on your walls for hanging up jackets, towels, or other such items.

2

Hook-and-loop tape

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Hook-and-loop tape is super easy to take down. Cut the hook-and-loop tape to fit in the top back corners or along the top and bottom edges of an item you want to hang. Peel off the backing from 1 side and stick the tape to the item. Then, peel off the backing from the other side and press it against the wall. ^{[4]
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- Hook-and-loop tape is more commonly known as Velcro tape, since that is the most well-known brand that makes it.
- You can hang items up to about 10 lb (4.5 kg) using this method.
- This is also a great option if you want to hang something flexible, such as a tapestry. You can even hang such items on a curved wall this way.
- When you want to remove the tape from your wall, carefully slide a sharp utility knife or razor blade between the adhesive and the wall to take it down without damaging the paint.

3

Putty or double-sided tape

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Putty and double-sided tape are great for light, unframed items. Cut some double-sided tape into small, fingernail-sized pieces or tear off some pieces of poster putty. Stick a piece of tape or putty in each corner of the item you want to put up and press it firmly against the wall to hang it. ^{[5]
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- Avoid using any industrial-strength tape, such as duct tape, to put things on your wall. It could damage the paint when you remove it.

4

Washi tape

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Use washi tape to stick light artwork to the wall with a decorative touch. Washi tape is decorative tape that comes in all kinds of colors and prints. Stick it along the top and bottom edges or across the corners of things like posters, photographs, or other unframed pieces of printed art to hang them on the wall with added flair. ^{[6]
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- Crafting expert Renee Day says washi tape is “easily removable without damaging most surfaces.” So, don’t worry about damaging your walls or your artwork by sticking it across the front. ^{[7]
  X
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  Renee Day
  Crafting Expert
  
  Expert Interview. 01 October 2024.}

5

Wall decals

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Decorate your walls with peel-and-stick decals . Wall decals work similarly to stickers, except they’re made from sticky vinyl that attaches to your wall without leaving behind residue or damage when you peel it off. To apply a decal , wipe down the wall with a damp sponge to remove dirt and dust. Then, remove the paper backing and smooth the decal onto the wall. ^{[8]
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- For instance, decorate your walls with polka dot decals , abstract shape decals , floral decals , or cartoon character decals .
- As another idea, cover your entire wall with peel-and-stick wallpaper .
- Wall decals stick best to smooth surfaces.
- Most wall decals are single-use, as they tend to lose their stickiness once they’re peeled off the wall. However, there are some reusable decals.

6

S-hooks and wire

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Hang framed items from molding using S-hooks and wire . Screw a small screw eye into the back of a framed item and wrap 1 end of craft wire around the loop. Then, wrap the other end of the wire around 1 side of a metal S-hook. Hook the other side of the S-hook over a strip of built-in wall molding. ^{[9]
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- A screw eye is a small screw with a metal loop at 1 end. You typically use it to attach wire across the back of a picture frame.
- An S-hook is a metal hook in the shape of an S. They come in different sizes, so choose a hook that is appropriately-sized for the molding you plan to hang it on.
- Craft wire is a flexible metal wire, like the kind you normally use to hang a picture.

7

Yarn and clothespins

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Hang up multiple light items with this method. Screw a pair of hooks or hammer a pair of nails into your wall at either end of the wall. Then, tie a piece of decorative string or yarn to each hook or nail so it stretches across your wall. Hang unframed prints and pictures along the string using clothespins . ^{[10]
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- Use colorful paper clips or binder clips as an alternative to clothespins.
- If you don't want to drill into your walls at all, try using Command Hooks to hold each end of the yarn instead.

8

Monkey Hooks

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Use Monkey Hooks to hang heavy framed items from drywall. Monkey Hooks are metal hooks that only require you to make a tiny puncture in the wall. They can also support heavier items up to 50 lb (23 kg). Simply drill a tiny hole in the drywall and insert the long end of the Monkey Hook through it. Then, rotate it until the hook is facing up at the ceiling. Hang a heavy framed piece of artwork on the hook using picture frame wire attached to the back. ^{[11]
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- When you remove the hooks, fill in the tiny holes left behind with a bit of wall putty . There’s no need to repaint or do any major repairs to the wall.

9

Cork board

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Turn your wall into a cork board to pin stuff up without leaving marks. Cover your wall in cork board , using double-sided tape or adhesive strips to stick it to the wall. Use thumbtacks to pin things like posters, photographs, and prints to the corkboard without damaging your wall. ^{[12]
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- This is also a good idea for a home office or a wall by a desk. For instance, pin up work-related notes or other temporary items so they’re easy to see when you need to refer to them. Then, take them down when you don’t need them anymore.

10

Wall trellis

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Place a trellis behind a piece of furniture to hang things from. Put a large wooden or metal trellis, which looks like a grid, on the floor behind a heavy piece of furniture, such as a bed or couch. Push the piece of furniture up tightly against the trellis to hold it in place. Hang light stuff, like small framed art, from the trellis using hooks and wire. Or, pin paper prints and photographs to the trellis using clips. ^{[13]
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- You can get wooden and metal trellises at a home improvement or garden center.

11

Pegboard

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Put up a pegboard to hang up lots of stuff without making tons of holes. Pegboard is a type of hardboard with predrilled holes, typically used for organizing tools. Mount a large piece of pegboard on your wall using furring strips so it covers your whole wall or a section of wall. Then, hang things up on the pegboard with hooks or pegs . ^{[14]
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- You’ll create a few holes in your wall to install the pegboard. However, you can easily fill them in with wall putty when you take the board down. Plus, you can hang up many things on the pegboard without the need for any more holes.

12

Fireplace mantel

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Prop items up on a mantel rather than hanging them on the wall. Take advantage of architectural features like a fireplace mantel to put decorations up on your wall. Set framed items or other heavy decorations on the mantel and lean them against the wall for support. ^{[15]
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- Mix in decorations like vases and candle holders when you prop framed artwork up on a mantel to add variety to your decor and make it look more purposeful.

13

Furniture

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Use shelves, bookcases, and other furniture to prop up items. Instead of hanging picture frames and other decorations on the wall, use furniture around your home to lean your decor against the wall. For example, place artwork and photos on bookshelves, dressers, TV stands, and desks.
- If you have large pieces of decor, like mirrors or artwork, simply lean them against the wall on the floor.

14

Magnetic paint

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Paint your walls with magnetic paint to hang light items with magnets . Magnetic paint contains small iron particles that make the wall you apply it on magnetic. Simply choose a paint color you like and clean the wall. Then, use a foam paint roller to apply 2 to 4 thin coats—this ensures the paint has a strong magnetic pull. Simply hang up unframed artwork, photos, and posters with strong, rare earth magnets. ^{[16]
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- Magnetic paint is not as strong as a regular magnetic surface. So, most magnets can only hold up 1 item.
- Follow the painting instructions on your can of magnetic paint for information on how many coats you may need and how long each coat needs to dry.
- Magnetic paint works best on drywall, as opposed to other surfaces.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How can I hang something without using nails?

Jason Phillip
Installation Specialist
Jason Phillip is a handyman and owner of Iconic Interior Installations based in New York City, New York. With over five years of experience professionally mounting and installing objects through his company, Jason's work includes mounting window AC units, designing art gallery walls, installing kitchen cabinets, and replacing light fixtures on drywall, brick, and plaster. He has been rated a "Top Pro" every year since 2016 by Thumbtack for being one of the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.

Jason Phillip

Installation Specialist

Expert Answer

You can always try using adhesive-backed hooks, but it may not work well if you live in a hot or humid climate.

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When you want to remove Command Strips, press down on the strip with one hand while you grip the sticky tab with the other. Then, slowly pull the tab straight down to separate the adhesive from the wall. Phillip says it’s important to remove Command Strips according to the instructions, because if you simply “pull it off the wall,” it might “pull the paint off as well.” ^{[17]
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Expert Interview. 2 July 2020.}

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If you’re staging a house, home stager, realtor, and interior designer Angelica Savard recommends hanging up items with nails. She says, “It's better to just use a nail and hang it properly when you're doing staging” because “the buyer realizes this is a brand new house [and] it's gonna have a couple of little blemishes.” ^{[18]
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Angelica Savard
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Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.}

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To ensure your wall decorations are hung up straight, Phillip recommends that you use a level . ^{[19]
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Expert Interview. 2 July 2020.}

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Handyman

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Crafting Expert

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14 Ways to Hang or Stick Things on Walls Without Damage

Best Ways to Hang Things Without Damaging Walls or Paint

Steps

Command Strips

Hook-and-loop tape

Putty or double-sided tape

Washi tape

Wall decals

S-hooks and wire

Yarn and clothespins

Monkey Hooks

Cork board

Wall trellis

Pegboard

Fireplace mantel

Furniture

Magnetic paint

Expert Q&A

Video

Tips

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References

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