If you every wondered how to hang odd shaped items, pictures on a wall, heavy objects or even without nails this guide is for you! I’m sharing the wide variety of products out there to help you hang your home decor and even a few made up hacks that have worked for me over the years. This is a peek into my decorating tool chest so you can see what I keep on hand when decorating inspiration strikes! Just scroll through the list and you are going to find a solution to your wall hanging questions! Throughout the list I have linked to the products I use so you can order the exact ones for yourself.
- Sawtooth Picture Hangers – I ordered these in bulk a few years back and it’s been one of the best purchases ever. You can transform any wooden picture frame, sign or decor to hang on your wall in minutes. If you love to DIY wall art this is a must for your tool kit. The thing I love about this set of picture hangers is they come with screws instead of nails to attach the hanger to your decor piece. Much sturdier! Order the ones I got here, you can also order larger ones for larger scale items.
- Sawtooth Hangers, Second use – The second way I use these hangers is a little hack I came up with that works like a charm for odd shape items like metal trays that you want to hang seamlessly. I simply take the sawtooth hanger and glue it to the back of the object. You want to make sure you glue it in the center of gravity, which may not be the center of the object by measurement. I use the original clear Gorilla Glue because it expands a bit and really holds the hanger in place. Let dry completely before trying to hang your decor. I have also used regular super glue before as well.
- Sheetrock Anchors and Screws – Once again, I buy bulk and always have these on hand. I feel like these are another necessity for your decor toolbox. If you aren’t anchoring a large object into wood or a stud you need to make sure it is secure in your sheetrock walls. These work by drilling the white sheetrock screw into place and then adding the accompanying screw to hang your decor from. They come in a variety of sizes and weight bearing capabilities, be sure to size accordingly. Here is a double size pack to get you started.
- Ring Picture Hangers – Similar to the sawtooth hangers these come with screws and allow you to attach a ring to an object for a secure hanging mechanism. You will find that different or odd shaped items can either accept the sawtooth hanger or a ring hanger better. It just depends on the object! These also come in a wide variety of sizes and weight bearing solutions, be sure to use the proper weight bearing ring for your home decor items! Get a set here.
- Command Hooks – If you have a need to hang without nails then Command Strips are a great idea. You will only be able to hang lighter type items, but these are perfect for hanging on tile, glass, brick and especially seasonal decor that is temporary. I used them on my Christmas mantel and they worked like a charm for Christmas decor and garland. There are a large variety available, but I like the repositionable ones!
- French Cleat – If you have a large, heavy frame, mirror or other home decor piece a French cleat is a great way to hang without fear of a crash. It works by helping to distribute the weight over a broader area versus a nail or two. There are some cleats you can buy and attach to your item or you can build your own. Here is one you can buy and I will have to do a tutorial for how to make your own French Cleat! These are amazing for hanging heavy objects on a wall.
- Plate Hangers – Not just for plates! If you want to show off your silver trays, cute melamine or other light to mid weight pieces, use a plate hanger. They come in a variety of sizes and are super easy to use. Stretch them over your plate or tray and hang on a picture hook with ease. Re-usable if your style changes. Typically found in 8, 10, 12 and up to 16 inch lengths. Grab some here.
- Invisible plate hangers – These are great if you don’t want the little feet of a wrap around plate hanger to show. These discs peel and stick to the back of a plate or tray and hang a circular hanging ring built into them. You can remove them from most plates and surfaces without harm, but check your surface type first. Get a set here.
- Wire – When hanging an odd shaped item sometimes it is best to use wire. If you have metal gates or architectural pieces that are odd shaped and heavy then using a sturdy high weight bearing wire is super easy. Create a loop on your wire or connect two spots with wire and hang on a traditional picture hanging hook, like these. When I hang with wire I like to use plain wire over the traditional picture hanging wire that is multi-stranded. I just feel it is easier to work with and fatigues less.
- Picture Hangers – These handy little picture hangers help keep the nail in place and reduce the nail from ripping out of the surface it is hung on. They are way sturdier than using a nail alone and I suggest using them when possible, especially if an item might get moved or knocked around a bit. Pair them with the ring hangers or wire for a perfect match. Grab in bulk here.
- Paperclip – Are you hanging a lightweight art piece? Sometimes a simple paperclip, manipulated just a bit can serves as a perfect hanger! Glue it down with the Gorilla Glue like I suggested before and you have a cheap and easy way to hang a picture on your wall.
- Poster Putty – Don’t underestimate the power of the little putty! I use this to hang lightweight small objects in odd places or gallery walls. Like a book page in the backsplash of my laundry room. It’s removable, cheap and easy! I also use it all the time to hang things in my dollhouse.
- Super Hooks – These super hooks are neat because they only make a small mark in your wall, yet can hold a decent amount of weight! Simply slide the curved part of the hook upward into your desired location and it will rest on the inside of the wall, leaving a hook on the outside. You can use more than one for additional weight. See them here.
- Now that you know how to hang all the things, create your own amazing gallery wall with my best tips you can find here!
Did I leave your favorite hanging tool or idea off the list, please let me know in the comments so I can add it to the list for a complete guide to hanging decor items! Don’t forget to pin this for reference later.
Jolene says
I’ve found the pop top ring from a can of soda works well as a hanger. A dab of hot glue (or other) will squish through the small hole where it was attached to the can, leaving the larger circle to hang on the nail, screw, or picture hanger. If you want to get real creative, you can even put a couple slight bends in the tab so the large ring protrudes back from the frame to make it easier to ‘catch’ on the nail or screw you’re hanging it from.
Thanks for this handy recap of the various options available for hanging wall decor. It’s nice to have the info in one list.
Kim at Salvaged Living says
YES!!!! this is a great idea – kind of like the paperclip idea, but probably sturdier, thanks for the tip 🙂
Dana says
Should the link for super hooks go to a spool of wire on Amazon? It may be the wrong link.
Good info. My hubby is obsessed with his ugly drywall anchors and I hate them. I want something hung here this week but next week I may change my mind ???? but the ugly drywall anchor stays there forever. ????
Kim at Salvaged Living says
oops – thanks for letting me know, changing the link now. and yes the drywall anchors stay, but they work!!! give him this list of options and maybe he will find a different love! LOL!