Hang pictures without damaging walls

Albermarle

Buy an older house with picture rails !

FreeBear

Albermarle said:

Buy an older house with picture rails !

Or put picture rails up in a newer house if it hasn't got any.

ashe

We've used command strips before but had a few where pictures fell off and shattered everywhere due to wood floors. Also when taking them off after a few years it is not unheard of that it pulls the paint off with it even when following the correct instructions! 

Now I prefer proper hanging, and just fill/paint if removing. 

TELLIT01

I agree that Command strips are good, but I've had marks left when they have been removed in accordance with instruction, mainly when they've been in place for a couple of years.  I wouldn't trust them with anything heavy, but maybe I'm just over cautious.

Albermarle

TELLIT01 said:

I agree that Command strips are good, but I've had marks left when they have been removed in accordance with instruction, mainly when they've been in place for a couple of years.  I wouldn't trust them with anything heavy, but maybe I'm just over cautious.

That is our experience as well. They are great for smaller/medium sized hangings, but I would not hang anything too heavy with them, especially in an area where they could fall on somebody.

chris_n

Standard picture hooks with nails leave tiny holes that would probably fill with paint alone when you next paint the walls!

Bookworm105

chris_n said:

Standard picture hooks with nails leave tiny holes that would probably fill with paint alone when you next paint the walls!

I appreciate OP has emphasised that the pictures are light, but nails in dot and dab plasterboard walls ("hollow") are not always the best option given that construction method is now very common 

chris_n

Bookworm105 said:

chris_n said:

Standard picture hooks with nails leave tiny holes that would probably fill with paint alone when you next paint the walls!

I appreciate OP has emphasised that the pictures are light, but nails in dot and dab plasterboard walls ("hollow") are not always the best option given that construction method is now very common 

Picture hooks work fine with dot and dab or normal plasterboard stud walls unless pictures are exceptionally heavy. The fixed slight downward position of the 'nails' (Pins) takes care of that. A standard nail driven in without the support of the picture hook is a different matter.

Bookworm105

chris_n said:

Bookworm105 said:

chris_n said:

Standard picture hooks with nails leave tiny holes that would probably fill with paint alone when you next paint the walls!

I appreciate OP has emphasised that the pictures are light, but nails in dot and dab plasterboard walls ("hollow") are not always the best option given that construction method is now very common 

Picture hooks work fine with dot and dab or normal plasterboard stud walls unless pictures are exceptionally heavy. The fixed slight downward position of the 'nails' (Pins) takes care of that. A standard nail driven in without the support of the picture hook is a different matter.

be that as it may, I had to replace several within 24 hours as they sank and created effectively a slot in the wall.

tealady

Wow! I always knew the MSE community have loads of collective experience but never expected all this info!.
Will have a look into command strips for the lighter pics and hooks for the heavier ones,  as hopefully the hooks will only leave small holes. Also might look into using 2 hooks per picture to spread the load. Now need to borrow a spirit level to make sure the pictures are even.