Photo by Karolina Grabowskafrom PexelsIf you're beginning to amass an art collection, you probably want to show off your purchases. Alternatively, you could just display your favorite family photographs. Wall hangings, whether pictures or paintings, have the extraordinary capacity to bring a room together in an instant. But what if you're renting and need to preserve the drywall intact, or if you have delicate millwork that you don't want to ruin with nail holes? You are not confined to a world of dreary white walls. There are several methods for hanging artwork without drilling a single hole on the wall.
Command Strips ($12.17 for 14 on Amazon.com) are the most often used method for hanging artwork without nails. Simply decide out how you want your image to be hung, then attach one side of the hook and latch strip to the wall and the other to the frame. Then you adhere them to the wall to secure the image or painting. When you try to remove them, they don't harm the paint or the drywall.
We asked the pros—artists, DIY gurus, and interior designers—for alternative inventive ideas to go beyond this typical technique for hanging artwork. Here's what they had to say about it.
Paint with Magnets
According to Audrey Van de Castle, manager of Stanley Black & Decker's Maker Initiatives, to create a gallery wall that can be changed on the go, apply Rust-Oleum Magnetic Paint ($21.58, amazon.com) and adhesive-backed magnets to the back of lightweight prints or picture frames. You might also try painting colorful accent shapes with magnetic paint around the artwork.
Easel for Display
Corey Paige, an artist, suggests displaying bigger works on a display easel. "Regardless of what you're showing, it instantly gives a distinctive touch to your area," she says. "You don't expect to go into someone's house and find paintings exhibited on an easel—usually it's a conversation starter because it emphasizes the work."
Clothespins and String
Another possibility? Van de Castle recommends stringing a length of rope across your wall using tape or mounting putty ($1.89, target.com), then displaying prints along the line with ornamental clips or clothespins.
Suspended from the Roof
Lindsay Pumpa, the proprietor of L Pumpa Designs, recommends driving hooks into the ceiling instead of wainscot or tiled walls. The framed artwork may then be suspended using rope, leather, or chains.
Grid of Wires
A wire grid ($45, crateandbarrel.com) is another option for occupying more vertical space, according to Paige, and is ideal for your work area. Attach your favorite posters or images using clothespins.
Shelves on Ladders
According to Paige, framed prints look wonderful exhibited on a ladder shelf since leaning art is a terrific way to give depth to a space. Simply frame your painting and place it on a shelf. If your ladder shelf is leaning against a wall, you may use the top shelf to showcase a bigger framed artwork.
Room Separator
Another creative approach to creating a gallery wall out of modest pieces of art? Pumpa suggests using a folding screen or room divider. This is a great idea to separate a studio apartment into several "rooms" while also providing a nice focal point.
