Stylist Secrets: Ways to Display Art Without Putting Holes in the Walls

Nothing makes a space quite like the right artwork. And nothing is quite as much of a bummer as finding the perfect apartment and realizing that you can’t put any holes in the walls — or that the walls are made of plaster or concrete or some other nail-unfriendly substance. That’s when you’ve got to get creative. We’ve rounded up 12 ways to transform your space with artwork — all while leaving your walls untouched.

Above: you could lean an oversized piece on top of a dresser or credenza — no hanging required.

If a piece is big enough, you could even lean it on the floor, as in this dining space from BHG.

Or lean multiple smaller pieces next to each other in groups.

Or try this — a low shelf just above the floor, propped on some old magazines. I really like the way this turned out: it gives the art a little bit of presence and makes it look intentional.

A ladder makes a nice impromptu bookshelf — and a great place to hang art.

I love the idea of using pant hangers to display art. Use tiny command hooks to hang yours and you won’t need nails at all.

And of course, there’s always the old standby, washi tape.

Why not display art on the mantel of — and even inside — a non-working fireplace?

Lean art behind shelves on a bookcase.

Or on top of the bookcase…

Or, if you’re feeling really bold, on the front of the bookcase itself.

Have an occasional chair that you really like the look of but don’t sit in often? Prop some art there instead.