How to Hang Art on a Brick Wall: Renter-Friendly Tips
Key Takeaways
- Assess your surface and weight first: painted or sealed brick, mortar position, and frame weight all guide the best way to hang;
- No-drill options include brick clips, select adhesives on smooth brick, and picture rails or ledges. Drilling into mortar with anchors suits heavier art;
- Mixtiles can stick to smooth, sealed brick. For textured brick, pair tiles with brick clips plus a rail or thin backing panel for a wall without drilling;
- Plan at eye level, use chalk and a level, respect hook and wall anchor ratings, and you will protect both your art and your brick wall.
Brick brings warmth, but it can intimidate when it is time to hang pictures. The good news, you have reliable renter-friendly options and secure, permanent ones when allowed. This guide shows you how to hang art on a brick wall using clips, rails, selective adhesives, or masonry anchors. You will learn simple planning tips, safe drilling into brick and mortar, and the easiest way to design a gallery wall. Mixtiles’ lightweight, adhesive, and repositionable frames make hanging art fast and fun on many walls.
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What should you check before hanging art on a brick wall?
Before you start, run through a quick checklist so your picture hanging goes smoothly and you avoid damage.
- Surface type: confirm if the brick is painted or sealed and relatively smooth, or raw and textured;
- Mortar joints: find recessed mortar since many hooks and any drilling work best in mortar rather than the brick face;
- Weight: weigh the frame and art so you can match hooks, brick clips, or wall anchors to rated loads;
- Rules: if you rent, your lease may restrict holes. Choose clips, rails, or a backing panel to stay hole free;
- Environment, fireplaces, exterior walls, or humid spaces may affect adhesive performance and your final placement.
Can you hang art on brick without drilling?
Yes. The best no-hole options are brick clips on protruding bricks with recessed mortar, picture rails or slim shelves, and adhesive hooks on smooth painted brick. Choose the method that matches your wall texture and the weight of your frames.
Are brick clips the simplest no-hole solution?
Brick clips are a great way to hang things on brick without drilling. The clip’s teeth grip the top and bottom of a protruding brick when the mortar is set back at least a quarter inch. Match clip size to brick height for a secure fit, then use picture hooks on the clip to hang pictures on brick. Capacity varies by brand, often 25 to 50 pounds per clip, so use two for wider frames and make sure your wire or keyhole hardware is centered.
Do adhesive hooks or strips work on brick?
Adhesive can work on smooth, painted, or sealed brick, not rough or crumbly surfaces. Clean with isopropyl alcohol, let dry, then apply per instructions and allow full cure time. Stay well under the weight limit, test with a small frame first, and avoid exterior use where moisture may lift tape backs. If you do not get good adhesion, switch to brick clips or rails.
What about picture rails and slim ledge shelves?
A picture rail or slim ledge lets you hang a whole gallery with very few contact points. You can mount a rail near the top of the wall and use cords and hooks for easy picture hanging, or mount a narrow ledge and lean frames, like stylish canvas prints. Where drilling is not allowed, some people secure a lightweight rail or a thin backing board with brick clips, then hang art from that surface without drilling into brick.
How do you safely drill into brick (or should you drill into mortar instead)?
When you need a rock solid hold for a heavy frame, drill into the mortar and use masonry wall anchors. Mortar is easier to penetrate than the brick face, and it reduces the risk of cracking the brick.
What tools do you need?
You will need:
- A drill or hammer drill with a masonry drill bit matched to your wall anchor;
- Suitable anchors and screws or picture hooks;
- A level;
- Chalk or painter’s tape;
- Basic PPE like glasses and a dust mask.
Choose anchors rated above your total load, a 2x safety factor is a good rule.
What’s the step-by-step to get a secure hold?
Follow this quick sequence to keep your home improvement simple and safe.
- Mark level points with chalk at about 57 inches to 60 inches center, then make sure positions sit in mortar joints;
- Drill pilot holes with a masonry drill bit to the anchor’s depth, usually about 1 inch, avoid hidden wiring and plumbing;
- Tap anchors into the holes, seat them flush, then drive screws or picture hooks until snug, not over tight;
- Hang frames, check level, and adjust wire or hooks until the picture sits flat and secure.
Pro tip: Wrap a small strip of painter’s tape on the drill bit to mark depth and to catch some dust. Take your time to avoid chipping mortar while drilling into brick joints.
What’s the best renter-friendly approach for brick walls?
If you want to hang art without drilling, start with brick clips wherever bricks protrude and mortar is recessed. If your brick is smooth and painted, light adhesive hooks may work for small frames. A thin painted board or acrylic panel held up with brick clips creates a smooth place for tiles and picture hooks. Test a small area first, and do not exceed the weight ratings of your chosen hardware.
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How high should you hang, and how do you plan a gallery on brick?
For most spaces, the best way is to keep art at eye level and evenly spaced. Use templates made from paper or painter’s tape to preview your layout, and align hanging points to mortar when using anchors or clips. The quick guide below helps you plan for a living room, over furniture, and larger walls.
|
Scenario |
Center Height |
Spacing Between Frames |
Gap Above Furniture |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Standard wall, single picture; |
57–60 in center, 145–152 cm; |
Not applicable; |
Not applicable. |
|
Gallery in living room; |
58 in center, 147 cm; |
2–3 in, 5–8 cm; |
6–8 in above sofa, 15–20 cm. |
|
Over mantel or console; |
Adjust to eye line, keep balance; |
2–3 in, 5–8 cm; |
4–6 in above top, 10–15 cm. |
|
Large wall with multiple frames; |
Keep the whole grid centered; |
2–3 in, 5–8 cm; |
Maintain consistent margin. |
How do Mixtiles make brick-wall galleries easier?
Mixtiles are lightweight frames that stick, unstick, and restick, so you can hang art quickly without tools. On smooth painted brick they may adhere directly. On rough brick you can use a rail, ledge, or a thin clip-mounted board as the surface, then place tiles for a clean picture hanging setup.
Smooth, painted, or sealed brick? Stick Mixtiles directly.
Wipe dust, then place tiles with firm pressure. This is an easy way to hang pictures without drilling, especially for apartments. You can mix sizes and update the layout anytime.
Rough, textured brick? Pair Mixtiles with clips and rails.
Use brick clips to support a slim ledge or a lightweight backing panel, then place tiles on that surface. You get a great gallery look with no holes in the brick, and you can refresh themes in one afternoon.
Hanging art on a brick wall is straightforward once you match your method to your wall and your frame weight. Brick clips, rails, and a backing panel help you hang things on brick without drilling. Anchors in mortar give strong support for larger pieces. With Mixtiles, you can plan, place, and swap a polished gallery in less time than a coffee break.
Ready to style your brick wall? Start your wall gallery now. Choose photos, pick your favorite wall arts, and we will deliver stickable, repositionable picture tiles to your door.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best ways to hang art on brick without drilling?
Use brick clips on protruding bricks with recessed mortar; picture rails or slim ledges held by clips; and, on smooth, painted or sealed brick, adhesive hooks or strips. Clean with isopropyl alcohol and respect weight limits. Lightweight frames like Mixtiles can stick to smooth brick.
Can you hang art on a brick wall?
Yes. Match the method to surface and weight. For small, light pieces on smooth painted brick, adhesive hooks or strips can work. For rough brick or heavier art, choose brick clips, picture rails, or drill into mortar with masonry anchors for a stronger, longer-term hold.
Should you drill into brick or mortar for heavy pieces?
Mortar is usually safer and easier to patch. Mark level points, use a masonry bit sized to your anchor, drill to depth, insert anchors, then add screws or picture hooks. Choose anchors with a 2x safety factor relative to your frame’s weight for reliable support.
Do Command Strips stick to brick?
They generally do not adhere to rough, porous, or unsealed brick. On smooth, painted or sealed indoor brick, they may work if you clean with isopropyl alcohol, apply firmly, and allow cure time. Stay below the rated weight and test with a small frame first.
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