How To Hang a Picture Frame Without Leaving a Mark

After taking a big hit to the security deposit at our last apartment because of all of the holes we left in the wall (and knowing we would only be in our current apartment for a year), we set out to find a solution that would allow us to hang some artwork and make the place feel like home without causing much (or any) wall damage.

We were skeptical of these Command Picture Hanging Strips by 3M at first, having experienced the horror of trying to remove double-sided foam tape from a wall before, but they far exceeded our expectations. At first we were only brave enough to try them with this cheap entryway mirror in case the strips weren’t strong enough — we prefer seven years of bad luck to losing a prized piece of artwork — but one year later it hasn’t fallen down once. Using the strips is truly a cinch and the removal … well, let’s just say our security deposit is giving us a big bear hug right now.

To install the strips, attach them to the frame and to the wall, let them rest for at least 30 minutes, and stick them together.

To remove, slowly pull the tab down the wall until the entire strip comes loose. After being stuck to the wall for a year there wasn’t even a hint of gooey residue!

We’re not sure how trustworthy the strips would be in a more earthquake-prone region than ours, but we’ll definitely keep using them even now that we’re moving into a home of our own where we have the freedom to drill as many holes as we darn well please.

Visit 3M’s website to read more about their Command products.

MORE HANGING ARTWORK
• How To: Hang Your Artwork and Not Screw it Up
• Cheap and Easy Hanging Hardware Idea