Nails or Hooks: Which Is Best for Hanging Picture Frames?

When decorating your home or office, hanging picture frames is one of the easiest ways to add personality, color and warmth to a space. However, choosing the right method to hang your frames—nails or hooks—can make a big difference in both appearance and safety. The right hardware will protect your walls, keep your frames secure and ensure your art or photos stay beautifully displayed for years.

While nails and picture hooks are both commonly used, they serve slightly different purposes and are best suited to different types of frames and wall conditions. This guide will help you decide which option works best for your needs, based on frame weight, wall material and long-term plans.

Understanding the Basics

To make the right choice, it helps to understand what nails and hooks actually do:

• Nails are simple, straight pieces of metal that go directly into the wall. They're one of the oldest and most basic methods of hanging things and they’re often the first go-to for light wall decor.

• Picture hooks, on the other hand, are small metal fixtures that hold a nail at an angle. This angled placement helps spread the weight of the frame more evenly across the wall, providing extra holding power with less wall damage.

While they both serve the same purpose—holding a picture frame—they differ greatly in stability, strength and suitability depending on the project.

When to Use Nails

Nails are a quick, simple solution for hanging light picture frames and art pieces. They’re best for small, low-weight frames that don’t need heavy-duty support.

Pros:

• Easy to use: You only need a hammer and a few seconds to drive a nail into drywall or wood.

• Almost invisible: A small nail creates a tiny hole and often gets hidden behind the frame.

• Inexpensive: Nails are very budget-friendly and widely available.

• Good for temporary setups: If you change your wall decor often, nails are convenient for quick swaps.

Cons:

• Not strong enough for heavy frames: Nails can bend, loosen or even tear out of the wall under too much weight.

• Wall damage: In plaster walls or soft drywall, nails may crack the surface or leave large holes if removed poorly.

• Frames may shift: A single nail doesn’t provide much lateral stability, so frames may tilt or move out of alignment.

Best Use Cases:

• Small photos in lightweight plastic or wood frames

• Thin canvas prints without a frame

• Art prints sized under 8x10 inches

• Temporary displays like seasonal decor or kids' drawings

When to Use Hooks

Hooks offer a stronger and more secure option, especially when you’re dealing with larger or heavier frames. These hooks often come with angled nails or double nails that distribute weight more evenly across the wall surface.

Pros:

• Stronger support: Picture hooks can hold far more weight than regular nails—often 20 lbs to 100 lbs or more depending on the type.

• Better stability: Frames hung with hooks stay centered and flat against the wall, without shifting or sagging.

• Safer for delicate walls: Hooks reduce the chance of cracking or tearing drywall or plaster, especially with larger frames.

• Easier leveling: Dual hook setups are ideal for extra-wide frames that need perfect alignment.

Cons:

• More visible than nails: Depending on the size of your frame and where you place it, some hooks may be slightly visible from the side.

• Slightly more time-consuming to install: You may need a measuring tape, level or pencil to position hooks accurately.

• Not ideal for very soft walls without anchors: Some walls, like old plaster or crumbly drywall, may still require wall anchors for the hooks to hold properly.

Best Use Cases:

• Large frames with glass

• Oversized artwork or posters

• Decorative mirrors

• Framed diplomas, shadow boxes or multi-photo frames

• Professional or permanent displays

Consider the Wall Type

Your wall type is just as important as the weight of your frame. Using the wrong hanging hardware on the wrong surface can cause serious damage and frustration.

Drywall:

Drywall is the most common type of interior wall and works well with both nails and hooks. However, drywall isn't very strong, so if you're hanging something heavy, hooks are the safer bet. For very heavy frames, consider using wall anchors along with your hooks.

Plaster:

Plaster is harder and more brittle than drywall. Nails can easily crack or chip it, especially if hammered too forcefully. In this case, angled picture hooks are a better option because they create less stress on the wall.

Brick or Concrete:

For brick or masonry walls, regular nails or hooks won't work at all. You’ll need masonry nails, wall anchors or special concrete screws. Always pre-drill holes and use proper hardware designed for stone surfaces.

Choosing the Right Option for Your Frame

To help you decide between nails and hooks, consider these factors:

• Weight of the frame: Lighter frames (under 5 lbs) can usually be hung with a nail. Heavier ones (over 10 lbs) are safer with one or more hooks.

• Size and shape: Larger frames may need two hooks for balance, especially if they are rectangular or landscape in orientation.

• Wall condition: Use hooks for older, plaster or soft walls to reduce damage. Use nails on strong, modern drywall for smaller pieces.

• Longevity: If you’re hanging a frame permanently, use hooks. For temporary wall art, nails may work just fine.

• Safety: In areas like staircases, hallways or near children's play zones, always choose the most secure option—usually picture hooks.

Final Thoughts

So, which is better—nails or hooks? The answer depends on your frame, your wall and how secure you want your display to be. Nails work well for light, temporary artwork and are easy to use but hooks provide stronger, safer support for heavier frames and valuable pieces.

If you want your framed art to stay level, secure and damage-free, picture hooks are usually the better long-term solution—especially for larger frames. Before you start hammering, take a few minutes to check your wall type, frame weight and overall display goals.

For more framing tips and expert advice, explore our other blog posts on how to hang picture frames correctly, choosing between custom and ready-made frames and creative wall gallery layout ideas to elevate your interior décor.