One of the best ways to make your apartment feel like home is by hanging up decor and art. But if your lease strictly forbids drilling into walls, what do you do?
Thankfully, there are many options for decorating your apartment without drilling holes into the wall. From simple tape to poster putty and removable adhesive strips, here are a few different ways to hang stuff in your apartment without losing your security deposit.
Choosing the Right Hardware
Despite the limitations of an apartment, there are many ways to hang pictures and other decorations without hammering nails. Some require a little creativity, but all can be used to make an apartment feel more like home.
Depending on the kind of decoration you want to hang and the weight of it, different anchoring methods may be needed. DNAinfo talked to a hardware expert at Garber Hardware in the West Village for tried-and-true tips on hanging things without damaging walls. The first thing to do is figure out what kind of wall you have. Drywall is the most common type of wall in apartments, but some are plaster or even hollow core. Drywall is constructed of crushed gypsum plaster sandwiched by cardboard paneling, and it’s not meant to support much weight.
If you have drywall, the best way to hang something is to find the center of the stud — the vertical wood beam that runs through your wall. A stud is where the strongest part of the wall is, and you can use screws, hooks or other picture hanging hardware to secure items to it. It’s possible to hang something on a wall without a stud, but that can lead to instability and the possibility of your decorations falling down.
It’s also possible to affix objects to a wall with adhesive strips, Velcro or other sticky products. These are great for lightweight objects and for situations in which you don’t want to leave a mark on the wall, but they’re not as strong as nails or hooks. If you’re using an adhesive product, always follow the manufacturer’s directions for removing it. Scrubbing away too aggressively can damage the wall.
One of the most fun and easiest ways to decorate a wall is with removable decals, available in a range of sizes and styles. These are great for kids’ rooms, but they can work well in adults’ spaces as well. There are also some decals that look like frames, allowing you to frame memories of special events, vacations or other life moments.
Choosing the Right Tool
Typically, hanging stuff in your apartment should be pretty straightforward. A hammer, nails, and a level should do the trick. However, when you’re renting, the rules can be a little more complicated. If you don’t hang things properly based on weight, you could face some trouble at the end of your lease. This is why knowing the proper techniques for hanging your stuff in your apartment is important, especially if you’re trying to avoid having any holes in your walls and risk having money taken out of your security deposit.
One of the best tools to have on hand when it comes to apartment decorating is a stud finder. This tool helps you determine where the studs are in your wall, so you know where to place the anchor for your hanging device. You can also use the stud finder to help you determine how heavy something is, so you don’t accidentally hang it too high and damage your wall.
Another great tool for apartment decoration is rail molding, which creates a visible and aesthetically pleasing break in the wall to hold hooks for pictures and other items. This is a great option for people who want to hang lots of art in their apartment without making a lot of holes.
Choosing the Right Weight
When it comes to hanging stuff in an apartment, weight is a major factor. It’s important to properly hang something based on its weight so that you don’t damage the walls and end up having money taken out of your security deposit at the end of your lease!
Drywall is not as strong as a solid wood wall and it’s best to always hang things from studs whenever possible. A stud finder will help you locate these supports that are built into your walls. If you’re unable to locate a stud, you can still hang stuff by using anchors – but only if the item is on the lighter side.
If you’re going to be hanging a heavy picture or other larger object, it’s a good idea to pre-drill holes into the spot where you want to hang it. This will ensure that the screw goes all the way into the drywall and doesn’t pull away from the wall later.
If you’re looking for a quick and easy decorating solution, consider using removable wallpaper or wall decals to decorate your walls. These items are easy to remove without leaving any residue behind, making them perfect for an apartment. You can also create a paper collage or frame photos to hang on the wall. This is a great way to show off your personal style and can be done with minimal effort! You can also use string to make a DIY garland or banner to add color and texture to your space.
Choosing the Right Place
Adding wall decor is one of the most important ways to make an apartment feel like home. Whether you’re moving into your first apartment or your old one needs a fresh new look, hanging pictures, tapestries or other art can add color and personality to any space. However, apartment living can be restrictive when it comes to hanging things because of the strict rules on using nails and other damaging tools. Fortunately, there are plenty of non-damaging tricks to help you position your art.
Flat artwork is one of the most popular options for apartment decor, and it can come in a variety of styles. From simple textured canvases to digital creations, there are a wide array of styles and colors to suit any decorating taste. Hanging these pieces on a wall is quick and easy with the right materials. There are a variety of adhesive strips that can be used on walls without leaving residue, including command strips and Velcro strips. These products come in a range of sizes and are great for hanging larger pieces.
Another way to display flat art is to use a tension rod. This handy tool is perfect for hanging framed paintings or other large items because it allows you to adjust the angle of the item with ease. This trick is especially helpful for those who live in apartments with tall ceilings.
You can also use an easel to display your favorite prints and photos. These are available in a variety of styles to suit any decor, and they can be moved around if you change your mind about where to put them.
For a more whimsical touch, try leaning your wall art against a window frame or the edge of a shelf. This can help make any room feel more inviting and cozy, and it’s a great alternative to hanging a piece on the wall.
Shelves are another great way to minimize the number of holes in your apartment’s walls and still give you plenty of room to display a lot of different items. These can be made from a variety of materials, and you can even find shelves with glass fronts that can hold pictures and other art objects.