Stop Your Leaning Art & Decor From Sliding With A Simple Glue Gun Hack

There is something so seamlessly chic about leaning your art rather than hanging it. Whether you do this to avoid putting holes in the walls (renters, raise your hand) or because you like the way it fills both a flat surface and a wall, it makes for a great decor addition. However, if you're constantly having to push or prop your prints, frames, and paintings up because they slide down and across your surfaces, this clever glue gun hack might be what you need. By adding a line of hot glue in front of where your painting leans, you can create an invisible lip that keeps it propped up and removes slippage altogether.

While extremely helpful, the hack needs to be tried with a caution tacked on to it. You can potentially remove the hot glue line you create depending on what material your table or shelf is, but this could also strip the varnish, paint, seal, or material. This trick is a commitment, so make sure you plan to keep your leaning art in this spot for a long time. Or, find something that can cover the glue should you choose to update or rearrange.

To nail this clever hack, all you need is your hot glue gun and glue that dries clear (which is true of most of the glue cartridges you can find). Keep your glue gun clean to ensure that the project turn out seamless and without mess. Once your gun has heated up, line it up with one edge of your artwork and drag a line across the entire length of the bottom. You can move the painting or print back so it doesn't get glue on it once you've started your line. You should only need one strip, but you can let this dry and test it out. For thicker edges, you might want to add a second layer on top of the first glue line. You can also add a couple dots of hot glue on the back of your frames to protect your walls where they lean, too.

If you do need to remove the glue, you can try applying acetone or rubbing alcohol with a cotton pad or Q-Tip to one end of the line and along each side to loosen the grip on the surface. You should be able to pull off the glue, but it might take some of the finish off, too.