9 Ways To Hang Art Without Frames

Creativity takes over anytime and anywhere. Artists sometimes draw on the back of a receipt. Poets write words on a table napkin. Photographers take pictures of random subjects. 

This leaves you with raw and beautiful pieces of artwork that are sometimes challenging to place inside a frame. Regardless, these are still art in its truest form: passion in the spur of a moment. And they deserve a place on the wall where everybody can see them.

This then begs the question: how do you hang art without frames?

Unframed art includes, but is not limited to, the following pieces:

• Printed pictures
• Drawings on paper
• Creative lettering
• Poems written on a napkin
• Painting on a random page of a sketchbook

If you have these lying around your house and want to have a place for them, check out the different inspirations we've gathered below.

With frames off the table, that means picture hangers might not be useful in this scenario. Yet, there is still some picture hanging hardware you can use. You'll also love how everyday items function as a picture hanging system.

In this list, there are 9 things you can use to achieve a casual and fun art gallery wall in your own space. Check them out!

First up on the list is a sawtooth picture hanger. This one is a peel-and-stick type of sawtooth designed to stick to the back of the art. Use this on lightweight art up to 3 lbs such as foam board, art panels, and small canvas art. 

For those who use foam board, there are 3 types of sawtooth picture hangers you can use. These are the Plastic Sawtooth Adhesives, Kwik Foam Board Hangers, and Metal Foam Board Hangers. 

Did you know that these originated in Japan? You can use washi tapes for a lot of purposes. One of them is to create faux frames on pictures and art you want to display.

What folks love about washi tapes is that they have an endless variety of colors and prints. They're all so vibrant that they spark a person’s creative side.

This one is for folks who want to make a statement.

A clipboard isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of an art wall display. It's quirky and unusual, but that's exactly why it grabs attention.

Looking at the photo below, how can you not use clipboards? They’re both functional and stylish and won’t damage your work. Plus, they're easy to work with. You can change prints, pictures, and posters at any time. Revamp your space without the hassle. Awesome, right?

To mount the clipboards on the wall, you can either use double-sided poster strips, nails or screws. 

Here’s another statement piece that gives off whimsical but cozy vibes.

This makes use of a good combination of different decorative elements like string lights, photos, and clips. They make a great wall decor that adds warmth and brightness to the space and makes it look extra pretty at night. 

PRO TIP: It’s best to hang items that are as light as paper so the lights don't fall off the wall because of the weight. If you don’t have string lights at the moment, you can use regular jute strings or yarn.

Next on the list is something you already might have at home: hangers. 

Skirt hangers are hangers with clips to hold skirts and trousers. We know, this example is a bit weird, but hear us out. 

Look at the photo below. Out of all the ideas here, this could be the best way to hang posters, bigger sketches, and pictures. It’s unconventional but resourceful and oddly cool. 

PRO TIP: The trick is to choose a minimal and sleek design that looks good in your space. 

Here’s a more casual take on gallery walls. 

A photo wall collage is an expressive way of arranging your photos on the wall. You can gather them together or space them out on a string like in the photo below.

To hang the photos, you can use either photo wires, strings, or good old mounting tape. They look so good on the wall, don't you think?

Grid panels were trending for a while, and for good reason. They’re statement pieces. They’re organizers. They’re wall decorations. 

With a grid panel like this, you have a place to hang all your little trinkets. These include small pictures, prints, postcards, and even accessories. 

PRO TIP: To make it more eye-catching, add various lightweight decor. These could be accessories, plants, or dried flowers.

Not gonna lie, there are a lot of ways you can showcase artwork without frames. And yes, they’re possible even without picture hangers.  Who would’ve thought that office supplies such as binder clips and clipboards would make great hanging hardware?

You can follow these ideas exactly as they are, or do your own spin on them to suit your aesthetic. One thing's for sure: your artwork will have a home while your wall will look great!

So, what’s your favorite idea? Let us know in the comments below!