Gallery Wall Ideas from Desenio
When I was living in rental property I would spend hours on Pinterest looking at gallery wall ideas that would allow me to personalise my home and cover up some of those god-awful magnolia walls. However, the possibility of creating a gallery wall in a rental property felt like pie in the sky. We all know that landlords are very precious about their walls and it is often included in rental agreements that you are prohibited from damaging the walls by hanging anything from nails or screws.
That’s not to say that people don’t take the risk and are happy to lose their security deposit, but for the most part, it’s safe to say that getting that money back at the end of your rental period is the goal. So are there any gallery wall ideas that make it easier for those living in a rental property to put their stamp on the place without jeopardizing their deposit? Whether you’re looking to showcase photos of family memories or create an artistic statement with artwork, let’s explore a collection of gallery walls and ideas for combining personal style with rental-friendly installation methods.
Renter-Friendly Wall Decoration Challenges
Artwork from Desenio
Anyone who has rented a place to live knows how difficult it is to decorate when there are so many limitations around what you can and can’t do. In one of the properties I rented after University, I was unable to paint or wallpaper the walls, unable to hang any pictures and I wasn’t even able to change the yellowing net curtains despite promising to put them back up when I moved out.
But when you are unable to personalise your rental property it makes it very difficult to feel at home and settled in the space. It always feels like you are temporarily living in someone else’s home. This feel particularly restrictive given that many people are struggling to get on the property ladder themselves and end up renting the same property for years if not decades. And it’s not exactly difficult to repair the damage done by a few nails and screws, but sadly landlords and tenants often don’t see eye-to-eye on this matter.
Granted, landlords do have a point. Installing nails and screws can lead to significant wall damage, including holes, cracks, and peeling paint which comes at a cost to repair. These costs are often recouped from the tenant’s security deposit.
It’s always advisable to review lease terms regarding wall decorations and get written approval from landlords or property managers before embarking on your gallery wall installation.
Damage-Free Gallery Wall Ideas for Renters
What renters really need are gallery wall ideas that won’t damage the walls. Luckily there are solutions on the market now that enable renters to create gallery walls without the need for screws and nails. But there are a number of considerations to be made when deciding which of these options to choose.
When planning a gallery wall, you need to consider the weight of the pictures you wish to hang as this will determine which solutions may work. You should also consider the wall texture as some solutions may be incompatible with textured walls. And you should also think about humidity levels in the room as this may dictate your options. Smooth, clean surfaces typically work best with temporary mounting solutions, while textured walls may require more specialized approaches.
How to Hang Pictures Without Nails
Artwork from The Poster Store
Adhesive Solutions for Gallery Walls
There are several adhesive solutions for gallery walls that allow you to stick your picture frame to the wall without the need for nails or screws. Selecting the right adhesive method is crucial for creating a secure and damage-free gallery wall.
Command Strips and Hooks
Command Strips and hooks provide reliable support for frames up to 9kgs, depending on the option you choose. Proper application requires clean, dry surfaces and a 30-minute curing time. When it comes to removing the strips and hooks you simply stretch the adhesive strip downwards which releases the adhesive without damaging the walls.
Mounting Tape
Mounting tape can be used much the same way as Command strips. It is a double-sided tape which delivers an instant bond, making it ideal for hanging frames on the wall. Gorilla tape for example, is clear and also weatherproof so can even be used outdoors. It can be used on textured or rough surfaces too.
Velcro Strips
Double-sided velcro strips are another adhesive option. The advantage of these strips is that they can be cut to size and are good for heavier items or where you need more flexibility to adjust the placement.
Temporary Hanging Solutions for Gallery Wall Ideas
Mounting Putty
Mounting putty, or blue tack as we call it in the UK, can be used to mount frameless prints on painted or wallpapered surfaces. It’s not ideal for heavy frames though. To use it, simply roll the putty into small balls and place at the corners of the prints. It is advisable to check putty regularly for deterioration and replace it as needed.
Washi Tape
Washi tape can be used to create colourful frames around unframed prints without damaging the walls.
Tension Rods
Tension rods can be set up between walls to support a hanging display of photos or artwork.
String Displays
String display systems can be hung from removable hooks allowing for photos and pictures to be pegged onto the string. This makes them very easy to move around and rotate.
Magnetic Paint
Magnetic paint is another option that can be used to create a rental-friendly gallery wall. Obviously, this only works if your landlord allows you to paint the walls. If they do, simply apply a few coats of magnetic paint to the area where you want the gallery wall to be, then repaint over the magnetic paint in your chosen wall colour. You can then apply your photos or prints to the wall using strong magnets in the corners to hold them in place. This method cannot be used with photo frames, however as they will be too heavy. Regular metallic paint can hold about 4 sheets of A4 paper with one magnet.
Photo Tiles
Photo tiles like Mixtiles are specifically designed with renters in mind and offer damage-free installation technology alongside professional printing. These lightweight photo tiles feature specialised adhesive backing that can be repositioned multiple times without losing strength or damaging walls. They can be grouped creatively for a more organic look, or evenly spaced for a classic gallery look.
Alternative Photo Display Methods
Of course, if none of these methods will work for you you might have to get even more creative with how you display your artwork or family photos. Thinking beyond traditional wall mounting, there are a number of other options that will allow you to inject personality and character into your rental property beyond the gallery wall ideas above.
Leaning Displays
Artwork by Desenio
If you already have wall shelves in your rental property you can use these to create leaning artwork or photo displays. If not, floating shelves with removable adhesive backing provide platforms for leaning framed photos. Decorative ladders can also be used to create vertical display opportunities without being attached to the wall. If you’re a dab hand at DIY you could even fabricate a leaning photo display wall similar to the one seen above in the book My Bedroom is an Office by Joanna Thornhill.
Photo by Caroline Rowland of www. patchworkharmony.co.uk
Multi-Aperture Photo Frames
Mingle wall picture frames from Umbra
Using as little adhesive as possible is always advisable to minimise potential damage to the walls. It might be a good idea to consider multi-aperture photo frames that can house multiple photos in one frame. These frames by Umbra are a creative solution for your gallery wall ideas and can be positioned to create a larger gallery wall using fewer frames.
Preparation for Your Gallery Wall Ideas
Whatever your gallery wall ideas are, you will need to do some preparation to make the display look its absolute best. You want to make sure that the walls and your pictures are protected. If you use an adhesive method to hang your gallery wall, you will need to ensure the wall is clean, dry and free from any dust so that the adhesive can stick properly. You will also want to choose the correct adhesive method for your pictures and that whatever you choose can take the weight of your frames.
Mapping Out Your Gallery Wall Layout
The gallery wall planning goes above and being wall preparation, you also need to plan the layout of your gallery wall ideas. The easiest way to do this is by making paper templates that you can stick to the wall and move around until you are happy with the layout.
Pre-Hanging Preparation
Before you go ahead with the hanging, it’s always a good idea to test the adhesive you are using on a small inconspicuous area first just to check that it won’t damage the wall. You might want to document the existing wall conditions with dated photos before installation as you don’t want the landlord to attribute any pre-existing damage to you at a later date.
Future-Proofing Your Gallery Wall
By choosing a versatile display system for your gallery wall ideas you can create an art display or photo wall that can be adapted as your tastes change, the seasons change or as your family grows. that can adapt to different spaces. Choose frames and mounting solutions that work in various configurations and can be added to over time. Plan for easy updates and rearrangement as your photo collection grows.
By following these handy tips and using modern mounting solutions, renters can create beautiful gallery walls or photo walls that express their personality while protecting their security deposit. With careful planning and the right products, temporary wall decorations can be fun and exciting.