Most people have a stack of prints or photographs sitting in a drawer because they’re not sure how to hang them properly. Maybe you’re renting and can’t drill into the walls. Maybe you’ve already patched one too many holes from picture hooks that didn’t hold.
Either way, the art stays hidden and the walls stay bare. Let’s take a closer look at some easy ways to get your artwork up without leaving a mark.
Adhesive Strips and Command Hooks for Most Frames
For most framed prints and photographs, adhesive strips will do the job without a single hole in the wall. Command’s Large Picture Hanging Strips hold up to 7.2kg, and their X-Large strips go up to 9kg, which covers most A2 and A1 frames as long as you’re not using thick glass. The trick is to stick them to a clean, dry surface and give them at least an hour before hanging anything.
One mistake people make is using a single pair for a frame that really needs two or three. Check the weight of your frame (most will have this on the packaging) and match it to the strip rating. If a pair says it holds 7.2kg, don’t push it to 8kg. You’ll come home to a frame on the floor and a dented corner.
For small prints, postcards and photographs, washi tape works well too. It’s low-tack, comes in dozens of colours and peels off without taking paint with it. It won’t work for anything with real weight behind it, but for a gallery wall of unframed prints, it does the job nicely.
Swap Heavy Glass for Lighter Acrylic in Your Frames
This is where a lot of people run into trouble without realising it. A standard A2 frame with glass in it can weigh around 2kg or more, and most of that weight is the glass itself. Push that up to A1 with a chunky moulding and you’re firmly back in drill-and-rawlplug territory.
One easy fix will be to swap the glass out. Perspex clear acrylic sheets weigh roughly half what glass does at the same thickness, and they won’t shatter if the frame takes a knock. You can order them cut to exact dimensions, so they’ll slot straight into your existing frame. If you’ve got children or pets around, that shatter-resistant quality alone will make it worth the swap.
Standard clear acrylic will block roughly 60% of UV rays, which is a modest step up from plain float glass at around 45%. If fade protection is a real priority, look for UV-filtering acrylic (sometimes labelled OP3 or conservation grade), which blocks up to 99%. The upgrade costs a bit more but it will make a real difference over the years.
Museum Putty and Quake Hold for Shelved Art
Not everything needs to go on a wall. Picture ledges, mantelpieces and bookshelves all make great spots for framed art. The problem is that frames slide, tip and fall, especially if someone knocks the shelf or you live somewhere with heavy passing traffic.
Museum putty (sometimes sold as Quake Hold) is a reusable adhesive that sticks to the bottom of a frame and holds it in place on a flat surface. It peels off without leaving residue on either the frame or the shelf. Galleries and museums use it to secure objects during transport, so it’s more than strong enough for a photo frame on a bookcase.
Picture Ledges: A Renter’s Best Option
If you want a gallery wall effect without committing to dozens of nail holes, picture ledges are a solid choice. A single ledge needs just two or three fixings, and you can lean multiple frames along it. When you want to change the layout, you’ll just rearrange the frames instead of making new holes.
Floating shelves work the same way. IKEA’s MOSSLANDA range is popular for exactly this reason. The shelf is narrow enough that frames lean against the wall at a slight angle, which actually makes them easier to see from across the room.
For renters who can’t make any fixings at all, some ledge systems come with adhesive mounting. They won’t hold as much weight, but for small to medium frames with acrylic glazing instead of glass, they’ll cope fine.
How to Prevent UV Fading Without Specialist Glass
Even if you’ve sorted the hanging method, sunlight will fade your prints over time. Direct sunlight is the worst culprit, but even indirect light will cause gradual colour loss over months and years. Bear in mind that standard picture glass only blocks around 45% of UV rays, so even framed prints will fade in a sunny room over time.
The easiest step is placement. Don’t hang your most valued prints on a south-facing wall that gets direct sun for half the day. If that’s your only wall space, keep the curtains or blinds partially drawn during peak hours.
Beyond placement, UV-filtering acrylic glazing (as mentioned above) will cut out most of the harmful rays. If you’re framing something with real sentimental or monetary value, it’s a small upgrade that will make a big difference over the years.
Your Art Deserves More Than a Drawer
Displaying artwork doesn’t need to involve power tools or expensive framing services. A combination of the right hanging method, lighter materials and smart placement will keep your walls clean and your prints safe. Start with one or two pieces, see what works in your space, and build from there. The best gallery wall is the one you actually put up.
