How to hang prints and paintings without drilling

In rented flats or on tricky walls, drilling isn’t always an option. These are the most common alternatives, from the lightest to the sturdiest.

1. Picture-hanging strips

Adhesive hook-and-loop strips that come off by pulling a tab hold light frames without damaging paint. Check the manufacturer’s maximum weight per pair and use more strips than you need. A light A3 frame usually weighs less than 1 kg; an A1 behind glass can exceed 3 kg, and then another method is better.

2. Picture ledges

A narrow shelf with a lip lets you lean several frames and swap them whenever you like, without a single extra hole. It works very well for groups of A4 and A3 prints of different sizes.

3. Tape or putty for unframed posters

For unframed prints, adhesive putty or decorative masking tape at the corners is quickest. Avoid very strong tapes, which can pull off paint or tear the paper when removed.

4. Poster hangers

Wooden poster rails with magnets or clips at the top and bottom turn a print into a hanging poster with a classroom feel. They need just one fixing point, which can be an adhesive strip or a hook.

5. Lightweight canvases

A canvas on a slim 1.9 cm (0.75 in) frame weighs very little and can be hung with adhesive hooks rated for its weight. With no glass, it won’t break if it falls.

Tips so it stays up

Clean the wall with rubbing alcohol before sticking, don’t stick onto paint less than a week old or onto wallpaper, press the strips for 30 seconds and wait an hour before hanging the picture. In bathrooms and kitchens humidity greatly reduces the hold.

Frequently asked questions

Can you hang a framed picture with glass without drilling?

Yes, if it is light and you use adhesive strips rated well above its weight. For large frames with glass, a picture ledge is safer.

Do adhesive strips damage the wall?

Strips that release by stretching a tab usually don’t damage paint if removed slowly and parallel to the wall.

Updated 21 October 2026.