How to Hang Art Without Damaging Your Walls

The Right Way to Hang Art (Without Destroying Your Walls)

You have found the perfect piece of equestrian art. It has arrived, it is beautiful, and it is currently leaning against the wall while you stare at it wondering how to get it up there without turning the plaster into Swiss cheese. We have all been there.

The good news is that hanging art is far simpler than most people think — and there are plenty of ways to do it without leaving a single permanent mark. Here is everything you need to know.

Know What You Are Hanging

The method you choose depends almost entirely on weight. Before you reach for a hammer, consider what you are working with:

• Unframed canvas prints — The lightest option. A stretched canvas on a wooden frame typically weighs between 0.5kg and 2kg, depending on size. These are the easiest to hang.
• Framed prints (no glass) — Slightly heavier than canvas, but still manageable. A 70cm framed print without glass might weigh 2-3kg.
• Framed prints with glass — The heaviest option. Glass adds significant weight, especially at larger sizes. A 90cm framed print with glass can weigh 4-6kg or more.

If you are choosing between canvas and print and wall damage is a concern, canvas is your friend — it is lighter and often needs nothing more than a single small hook.

Method 1: Picture Hooks (Best for Most Situations)

The humble picture hook is still the best option for most artwork. A hardened steel pin driven into the wall at an angle holds far more weight than a screw, and leaves only a tiny pinhole that is invisible once filled.

• Single pin hooks — Hold up to 5kg. Perfect for canvas prints and small-to-medium framed pieces.
• Double pin hooks — Hold up to 10kg. Use these for larger framed prints with glass.
• Brass picture hooks — The same principle, slightly more refined. Choose these for visible hooks on picture rails.

Picture hooks are cheap, reliable, and leave minimal damage. If you own your home, this is the method to use for anything heavier than a couple of kilograms.

Method 2: Adhesive Strips (Best for Renters)

Command strips and similar adhesive hangers have transformed life for renters. They stick to the wall, hold a surprising amount of weight, and peel off cleanly when you move out.

• Small strips — Hold up to 1.5kg per pair. Fine for a 40cm canvas.
• Medium strips — Hold up to 5kg per pair. Suitable for a 70cm canvas or a light framed print.
• Large strips — Hold up to 7kg per pair. Use multiple pairs for heavier pieces.

Tips for success with adhesive strips: Clean the wall with rubbing alcohol first. Press firmly for 30 seconds. Wait at least one hour before hanging the art. Avoid textured or freshly painted walls — the adhesive needs a smooth surface to grip properly.

Method 3: Picture Rail Systems (Best for Galleries and Collections)

If you are building a collection or want to change your display regularly, a picture rail system is worth the investment. A single rail runs along the top of the wall (often at picture rail or ceiling height), and adjustable cables or rods hang down to support each piece.

• One-time installation — no new holes each time you rearrange.
• Adjustable height — slide the hooks up and down the cable.
• Professional look — galleries and museums use exactly this system.

This is particularly good if you enjoy creating a curated display of multiple pieces, or if you like to rotate your art with the seasons.

Getting the Height Right

The single most common mistake when hanging art is putting it too high. Here is the rule that galleries use:

The centre of the artwork should be at 150cm from the floor.

That is roughly eye level for most people and creates a comfortable, natural viewing position. Resist the temptation to hang art higher — it almost always looks better lower than you think.

Exceptions to the rule:

• Above a sofa or headboard — Hang the bottom edge 15-20cm above the furniture. The art should feel connected to the piece below it, not floating away towards the ceiling.
• Above a mantelpiece — The bottom edge should sit 10-15cm above the mantel shelf.
• In a hallway — The 150cm rule works perfectly here, as people are usually standing.
• In a dining area — Drop the centre to around 140cm, since people will mostly be seated.

Hanging Two or Three Pieces Together

If you are hanging a pair or trio, spacing is everything:

• Between two pieces — Leave 5-8cm between frames. Closer feels intentional; further apart and they start to look unrelated.
• Three in a row — Same 5-8cm gap, and make sure the centres are aligned horizontally. Use a spirit level or a strip of masking tape as a guide.
• Gallery wall — Lay your pieces out on the floor first to find an arrangement you like. Photograph it on your phone so you have a reference when you start hammering.

Tools You Actually Need

You do not need a workshop. Here is the complete kit:

• A tape measure
• A pencil
• A spirit level (or a free spirit level app on your phone)
• Picture hooks or adhesive strips
• A small hammer (for hooks)

That is it. No drill, no wall plugs, no anchor bolts — unless you are hanging something exceptionally heavy on a plasterboard wall, in which case a single plasterboard anchor will do the job.

A Note for Renters

Most tenancy agreements allow small picture hooks, and the tiny pinholes they leave can be filled with a dab of white filler in seconds. If your agreement is stricter, adhesive strips are your best friend. And leaning art on a shelf, mantelpiece, or sideboard is always an option — it looks intentional and relaxed, especially with a statement piece.

Now that you know how, the only question left is what to hang. Browse our equestrian art collections and find something worth putting on the wall.