When it comes to create a drift rampart in a rental , here ’s what to jazz when you ’re considering using Command strips vs. nails .

Ed Gohlich

If you desire your abode to reflect your trend , hang prowess on the wallsis pretty much necessary . Whether you opt family photos , movie poster , or professional paintings , all tally personality to your place .

Living room gallery wall

Credit:Ed Gohlich

Unfortunately , doing so can also damage your walls . This does n’t mean you should keep off adding prowess to your home altogether , but you should be thoughtful in how you hang it — especially if you ’re a tenant . Nails are traditionally the go - to , but these days , products like Command flight strip boast they can do the job without the worry . But do they really populate up to these claims ?

We spoke to an skillful organiser to get tips on hanging your collection with the least amount of equipment casualty and what to do if you want to make a nonaged stamping ground .

What’s Better: Command Strips or nails?

The official finding of fact : It depends !

" When it come to wall hangings , it ’s like choose between a salad and fries — each has its flavor , " explains Leydi Rofman , father ofThe Organized Leydi . " When choosing consider your paries character . Go with nails for coarse-textured walls , and command hooks on smooth surfaces . "

Command hook and strips are commodious to have on helping hand as they work for multiple needs , from organizing to decorating .

Modern art gallery wall

Credit:Erin Kunkel

" As a pro - organizer , my cock bag is always stocked with command hooking , " Rofman says . " They ’re my go - to for flow lightweight items and are complete for closets and behind cabinet doors . I also use them for hangingcanvas printsand even embellish the Marguerite Radclyffe Hall with garlands during the holiday . "

Erin Kunkel

For heavier art , she recommends the the 3 M Claw , which she pronounce bring stability without the fleshy - obligation scathe .

Large scale gallery wall

Credit:David Tsay

If you use the type of Command cartoon strip with Velcro , you’re able to adjust them slightly so you’re able to get a perfectly - level painting without having to puzzle and re - stick adhesive and risk extra equipment casualty .

However , while Command production may win in versatility , they can actually stimulate more damage than a nail .

" Damage ordinarily bump due to user wrongdoing : overcharge them above the intended weight limit is a no - no , " Rofman read . Also , be sure to register all production selective information so you make love how to use the strips properly and that they ’re suited for your project .

If a Command slip does damage your paries , it can be more noticeable than a nail hole ( especially if you have dark wall ) since it can get out off a strip of paint . And , if you go over the system of weights limit for the hooks , you launch the risk of your artwork falling and break .

With nails , you know they ’ll likely leave a small hole . However , they can be used on control surface that Command strips are n’t appropriate for , like walls with Lot of grain or when you need to anchor a heavy piece of art into a stud for additional strength and support .

The issue with nail comes in when multiple holes have to be made , so be sure to measure exactly where you want to localize your nail and mark it with a small dot with a pencil before you start hammering . you could also use a little piece of painter ’s tape measure where you ’re going to make the nail maw to downplay damage .

David Tsay

How to Fix Nail and Command Strip Damage

No matter how careful you are , there ’s always the possibility your rampart wo n’t finish up unscathed . The good tidings is it ’s ordinarily an easy fixing : Keep some spackle on mitt and touch up paint in the color of your home so you ’re ready whenever you want to move things around .

Fixing a nail holeis a straight DIY project . After removing the nail , sand the region to verify you have a smooth control surface , then apply a small amount of spackle with a putty knife . Let it dry , then give it another immediate sanding so you have a perfect control surface for your blusher .

When it comes to paint getting pulled off by a Command strip , the damage may look worse , but the mending caper is very exchangeable . Once you ’ve removed any residuum of the paint , give the area a light sanding . If there was no damage to the genuine wall , you might not need spackle ( if you do , just follow the steps above ) . However , if the funnies pull in off a large amount of paint , you may want to apply a primer before you paint to control a unlined fix .

Once your rouge has dried , the surface should be as good as new , and you ’ll be ready to create a new exhibit for your art , confident that you may switch it up as many times as you care .