The Clever Hack For Hanging Frames That Doesn't Require Any Tools

Finding new ways to do standard tasks is both fulfilling and exciting. After all, making life a little easier here and there only benefits you. There are inventive hacks you never even knew could work (like using a pool noodle for drawer organization), and then there are simple tricks that somehow no one knows about. Swapping out nails and hammers for self-adhesive magnets to hang your prints, photos, and frames is definitely in the second category — a DIY so easy it's a wonder why people still have holes in their walls at all. All you need to do is find large (or small, if your framed piece is tiny) squares of self-stick magnets and adhere stickers to your wall and your hanging frame, then position it for a seamless addition to your home.

While you can hang frames with a variety of home items, this trick is gentle on walls and paint, making it great for renters or anyone who isn't a fan of nail holes. It's important to mention that, like with any hack, this may not work for every framed item. Heavy pieces could be too much for the magnets, though there are some tricks that can help you try and hang them. You might have to do some trial and error for your artwork and prints, so make sure to keep one hand holding onto each piece whenever you "hang" them to ensure the magnets will hold. With that said, this trick should work very well with a variety of beloved frames, and avoiding nails and added holes in your home is a big draw to give this a try.

You can find your self-adhesive magnets from stores like Walmart, where you can get a pack of 20 Mr. Pen Magnetic Adhesive Sheets for $9.99. Amazon has sheets that come in varying thickness (12 millimeters, 20 millimeters, etc), which allows you to find the weight capacity you need for lighter to heavier hangings. If you know your framed print is quite bulky, opt for thicker sheets. They also come in different sizes (4-by-6, 5-by-7, etc), so you can play around with these options, too. If your hanging is fairly light and works with just two of these sheets (one for the frame back, one for the wall) all you need to do is stick them on and place your print. The great thing about using magnetic adhesive sheets is they work on a variety of surfaces. Just keep in mind they might not secure as well to bumpy walls, so always test them first before hanging anything.

If you do have larger or heavier frames, this hack may prove a little trickier. One drawback of this option is that oversized, hefty art or prints may not hold up with just magnets and could need a sturdier purchase like nails or screws. If you're determined to do this DIY, it might be worth trying several sheets rather than just one for heavier frames, covering the back of the entire piece to get more support. Consider placing a portion of a sheet at the top, bottom, and sides and in the same positions on your wall. This might help with added grip, although you want to make sure you can safely remove the magnets without affecting your frame and print in case you end up needing to hang it.

With this hack, you can hang framed pieces in more unusual places than you can with traditional methods. For example, if you're nervous about hammering into drywall but have been wanting to hang artwork or prints on it, your magnetic sheets might be the ideal way to do it without buying drywall anchors or using nails and potentially damaging the material (or the frame falling due to a lack of support).

You can also use this trick to hang framed photos from the sides of bookshelves, cabinets, and even doors. Nailing holes into furniture or doors themselves might sound like the kind of DIY you don't want to take on, but the magnetic sheets don't require extensive (or small) repairs. If you're lacking inspiration on where to hang all your framed pieces with this newfound hack, stars like Nate Berkus have a variety of unexpected places they enjoy hanging artwork you can pull from. Get creative! After all, now you can, all thanks to a simple suggestion that may change the way you decorate your home — at least when it comes to your framed items.