The most fun part of moving into a new apartment is decorating. Once the furniture is arranged and the boxes are unpacked, you can hang your favorite artwork. Some apartment leases may have restrictions about driving nails into the walls. It is probably OK as long as you patch the holes whenever you move out. To avoid creating more holes in the walls than necessary, you need to take your time and figure out where the studs are in the drywall. One, so your artwork will hang securely, and two, so you aren’t creating too many holes in the drywall.
Here are some tips for hanging artwork that will stay on the wall but not add unsightly holes.
Locate the Studs
Studs are the wood frames underneath the drywall, the skeleton of the apartment. They run horizontally, vertically, and diagonally. In most commercial and residential buildings, the studs are 16” to 24” apart. You can knock on the wall and if you hear a muffled sound, you’re probably knocking on a stud. You can also use an inexpensive stud finder that you can buy at a hardware or big box store, or online.
Drill
Once you’ve found a study, go to the height where you want to hang your artwork and slowly drill a small hole into the stud. Once you’ve drilled to the proper depth, you can then use a screwdriver to attach the screw or hanger to your frame. Easy.
If you can’t find a stud, there are options. You can use expanding plastic sleeves or drywall anchors to hang your artwork. Drill a small hole in the wall and insert the plastic sleeve. It will expand inside the drywall, and you can insert your hook or screw. It’s important to note that drywall anchors are suited for heavier picture frames or mirrors. Plastic sleeves should be used only for lightweight items.
Adhesive Strips or Hooks
You’ve seen these advertised as a solution for hanging artwork without damaging the walls. Simply peel the backing off the adhesive and stick the hook on the wall. (You are supposed to be able to remove them without leaving any marks behind on the wall.) Then, hang your frame on the hook. When investigating this solution, check the weight of your item against the load capacity of the hook. The last thing you need is to hang up a cherished antique mirror only to have it crash to the floor because the hook wasn’t strong enough.
Hanging artwork on drywalls isn’t rocket science, but you do need to be careful to avoid damaging the walls or harming your artwork. This is a great project for inviting a friend or new neighbor to help you, especially when you need a critical eye to make sure your pictures are level. By doing a little research, you can decorate your apartment to reflect your personal style without damaging the walls.
Explore a Vision Community Apartment
At Vision Communities, we provide the space you need to experience your best life and decorating your apartment is a great way to personalize your space! We have floor plans that provide your personal space and spacious common areas for you to hang out with your roommate and friends. Our spacious, studio, 1 bedroom, 2 bedroom, and 3 bedroom apartment layouts provide cozy space. Check out our luxurious apartment floorplans in one of our communities and enjoy life at the VC.
Schedule a tour today and see why Vision Communities is a great place to live.