One of the biggest deterrents to hanging up decorations, especially if you’re a renter and worried about your security deposit, is not wanting to damage your walls. However, there are ways to get around this with a little creativity. From using adhesive hangers or cork boards to taking advantage of architectural features like mantels and molding, you can easily hang any item without leaving a mark on your wall. Don’t wait any longer to decorate with that stuff that’s been sitting on your floor or in a closet waiting to find a home on your walls!

1

Command strips

  1. Hang heavy items up to 16 lb (7.3 kg) using Command Strips. 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]
    • Read the front of the Command Strip packaging to ensure it can support the weight of the item you want to hang.[2] The strips come in different sizes with different weight capacities up to 16 lb (7.3 kg).
    • You can use Command Strips on pretty much any smooth wall surface without damaging the wall. However, avoid using them on wallpapered walls because they can rip the wallpaper.

    Tip: You can also get a type of Command Strips that come with hooks if you want to stick hooks on your walls for hanging up jackets, towels, or other such items.

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2

Hook-and-loop tape

  1. 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.[3]
    • 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.
5

S hooks and wire

  1. 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. 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.[6]
    • A screw eye is a small screw with a metal loop at 1 end, typically used 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 you can choose a hook that is appropriately-sized for the molding you plan to hang it on.
    • Craft wire is flexible metal wire, like the kind you would normally use to hang a picture.
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10

Monkey Hooks

  1. 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 and can support up to 50 lb (23 kg), for when no other solution works. Drill a tiny hole in the drywall, then insert the long end of the Monkey Hook through it and 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]
    • When you remove the hooks, you can easily fill in the tiny holes left behind with a tiny bit of wall putty. There’s no need to repaint or do any major repairs to the wall.

Expert Q&A
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  • Question
    How can I hang something without using nails?
    Jason Phillip
    Jason Phillip
    Installation Specialist
    Jason Phillip is a handyman specializing in mounting and hanging objects onto walls. With over five years of experience professionally mounting and installing objects through his company, Jason's Handyman Services, Jason's work includes working with 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

    Support wikiHow by unlocking this 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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About This Article

Jason Phillip
Co-authored by:
Installation Specialist
This article was co-authored by Jason Phillip. Jason Phillip is a handyman specializing in mounting and hanging objects onto walls. With over five years of experience professionally mounting and installing objects through his company, Jason's Handyman Services, Jason's work includes working with 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. This article has been viewed 109,892 times.
17 votes - 61%
Co-authors: 9
Updated: October 5, 2021
Views: 109,892
Categories: Hanging Things
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