Picture-hanging strips are a great way to put up your pictures without damaging the wall, and they’re super easy to use. [2] X Expert Source Cindy HofenProfessional Organizer & Home Staging Specialist Expert Interview. 13 February 2020. You can find them (as well as adhesive nails and hooks) at office supply stores, craft stores, hardware stores, and online.

Allow the surfaces to dry before applying the strips.

One set of strips will hold up to three pounds (1. 36 kg), and most 8x10-inch (20x28 cm) pictures. If you only need a single set of strips, position it at the top center of the picture. Two sets of strips will hold up to six pounds (2. 7 kg), and most 11x17-inch (28x44 cm) pictures. Position one set of strips at each top corner of the picture. Four sets of strips will hold up to twelve pounds (5. 4 kg), and most 18x24-inch (46x61 cm) pictures. Position one set of strips at each top corner of the picture; position another set on each side of the picture, two-thirds of the way down from the top. [4] X Research source

Adhesive hooks or nails have adhesive backings that stick to walls, so that you can mount pictures using the hanging hardware attached to the picture. Depending on the hardware on your picture, make sure you purchase the appropriate adhesive hanging equipment.

Some adhesive hooks come with the adhesive already affixed to the back. Skip this step and move on to the next if that’s the case with the adhesive hook you have.

Make sure you know the weight of your picture before you purchase adhesive nails, as they generally only hold between five and eight pounds (2. 26 and 3. 6 kg), while smaller hooks may only hold one or two pounds (0. 45 or 0. 9 kg). To hang a picture that’s heavier than what your adhesive nails or hooks are rated for, use more than one. Ensure the weight gets distributed evenly by using a level during installation.

A Hercules Hook can hold as much as 150 pounds (68 kg). A Super Hook can hold up to 80 pounds (36. 28 kg). A Monkey Hook can hold up to 35 pounds (15. 87 kg). A Gorilla Hook can hold as much as 50 pounds (22. 67 kg).

Reusable adhesives and tapes are strong enough to hold loose pictures or posters (not in a frame), but are not designed to hold much more than one pound (0. 45 kg). Single-sided tape can be converted into makeshift double-sided tape by taking a strip of tape, making it into a loop with the adhesive side out, and fastening the ends of the tape together to close the loop.

Wash your hands before handling reusable adhesive to prevent transferring dirt or oil onto it.

Look for wall features that are out of the way and that could have a string run between them without posing a strangulation risk.

A taut string will look more rigid and uniform, while a droopy string will look more relaxed and artistic. The choice between the two is a matter of aesthetic preference. Wire will be harder to tie than string or twine (it will be easier to wrap it tightly around your fixture than tie it), will provide an industrial look, and will allow pictures to slide around for quick re-positioning. Wire is thin and strong, but doesn’t lend itself to the droopy look. Twine and string will be easy to tie, can be left droopy or pulled taut, and will provide a more rustic look. Twine will be thicker than wire or string, but stronger than string. String will be thinner than twine, but not as strong.

To distribute weight and pictures evenly, place your first picture in the center of the string using your eye or a tape measure. Using the first picture as the center point that separates two halves, divide those halves in half again, and place one picture at each center point. Continue dividing your spaces in half and using the center points as picture locations until all your pictures are hung.