8 Best Alternatives to Command Strips For Hanging Wall Decor And More
Command Strips may be a convenient and popular way to hang frames and other items on the walls of your home or office.
Although they are really easy to use and don’t require any tools to install, wall damage is possible if they are not used properly or can possibly leave a residue when you remove them.
The usefulness of Command Strips is limited to the type of surfaces you can use them on.
The good news is, that there are other alternatives for hanging frames, mirrors, and wall decor on your walls that are just as easy.
This post will look at some of the best alternatives to Command Strips and when you would want to use them.
Related post: Can you hang wall mirrors with Command Strips?
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Types of Command Strips
The product line from 3M Command has multiple applications, but in general, they are used for hanging something on the wall with adhesive and give you the ability to remove it without leaving any tears or damage.
Here is a quick look at a few different models that you can use for your project.
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Command Large Picture Hanging Strips
Command Brushed Nickel Designer Hook
Command Poster Strips
Command Adjustable Spring Clips
Besides this range or adhesives, the Command brand also carries products meant for the bathroom such as shower caddies and organizers.
When you should and should not use Command Strips
The cool thing about Command Strips is that they are highly useful for hanging decor such as wall mirrors and pictures but do Command Strips work on textured walls?
They work great across lots of surfaces such as wood, metal, glass, tiles, or generally any smooth surface.
The keyword here is smooth.
Having tested it previously on a highly textured surface, the strips lasted barely more than 2 seconds.
So as you can imagine, there are times when they are not the best solution.
You could be renting a place and you need a temporary fix, or the surface that you are working on is not suitable.
Or you might need to hang something heavier since Command Strips can only hold up to a limit of 16 pounds. (Find out how much weight Command Strips can hold here)
Just remember, Command Strips will work the best only on smooth surfaces.
If you find yourself working on textured surfaces such as stucco, brick walls, fabrics, or even wallpaper (too waxy), you need to consider the following Command Strip alternatives to make it work.
So, what works better than Command Strips?
Let’s read on to find out.
Stronger Alternatives to Command Strips
1. Adhesive hooks
Adhesive hooks are quite commonly used around homes as they are super handy and they can hold a pretty decent amount of weight.
You can use them to hang lots of different stuff such as colanders in the kitchen, small potted plants for your balcony, or use them to organize your kid’s bibs!
One thing you should know though, while they work well on most smooth surfaces, even wallpaper, they are not that great when you try to use them on textured surfaces as they can come off easily.
If you intend to use one, be sure to clean the surface with rubbing alcohol to remove any dirt and wait for it to dry out completely (takes about a minute).
You can then peel off the sticker on the back of the hook and press it firmly onto the surface where you intend to use it.
Hold for at least 30 seconds for it to adhere properly and let it cure for an hour or so before hanging something.
As always, be sure to hang something that is within the weight limit of the adhesive hook.
2. Nails
Nails are generally frowned upon if you are a renter, but who’s stopping you from using them in your own home?
They make a great option if you wish to hang things on walls that are textured or rough such as a brick wall or drywall.
Besides, they come in many different sizes which can support different amounts of weight.
Most times, if you are just hanging a single item such as a mirror or clock, you need only 1 nail, minimizing the amount of damage you cause to your walls.
There are also specialty tools such as picture hanging kits you can use where they are easy to use and leaves little damage behind.
I always have one around as they contain all the little things you need such as nails, wires, and a level to make sure you hang your frames correctly.
3. Wires
Here’s a neat idea for you to display your picture frames in a beautiful way.
The inspiration came from Curbly and it’s such a unique and cheap way to create a gallery wall of sorts.
You will need a few simple tools to get it up and it can be done pretty quickly.
I highly recommend doing this as a family activity so that each of you can pick out your favorite photo to display!
Here’s an example but be sure to add in your own creativity!
4. Drywall hooks
Drywall hooks, also known as monkey hooks, are the best solution when you wish to hang something light onto drywall or plaster.
Actually, scratch that.
Monkey hooks these days can hold a respectable amount of weight, which means you can use them for that large wall clock or wall accent you have been eyeing!
The way they work is you press the back end of the hook into the drywall or plaster and lock the other end in place.
Take note that the area behind the hook needs to be hollow.
They can’t go through hard material such as metal or solid wood.
If you encounter resistance when trying to press the hook through, you might have hit a stud, in which case you need to remove and choose another position.
And check out this video to learn how to install one.
5. Hardwall hangers
If you need to hang wall decor on a concrete or brick wall that is textured, a hardwall hangar would be your best choice.
Adhesive-type hooks tend not to work well on such surfaces as they simply can’t hold on.
A hardwall hanger is designed to penetrate hard surfaces easily and it can hold a fair amount of weight, typically up to 25 lbs.
They are usually made of plastics, with a few nails above the hook.
You will simply need to pick your spot and hammer the nails into the wall and voila, you have a hook for hanging!
I like the fact that they usually come with very thin nails, which means there will be very minimal damage done to the walls.
If you wish to remove them, you only need to pry them out.
6. Wall anchor
When it comes to working with plastered walls or drywalls, a monkey hook might do the trick, but if you need a stronger and sturdier installation, you will need to use a wall anchor, also known as wall mollies.
The way it works is pretty simple.
You drill a hole, insert a piece of plastic anchor, then place the screw in.
The screw head is where you hang your items.
It is easy to install and is most commonly used to hang large mirrors and clocks.
Watch how to install:
7. Poster putty
And lastly, you can try out poster putty if you are hanging very light objects such as wall art or posters.
The only thing you need to do is tear out a small piece of putty from the packaging, roll it into a small ball, and stick it into the corners of the object.
I don’t normally use them but I find them to be great for stabilizing wall photo frames and wall art.
I’m not sure about you but sometimes I find my frames becoming crooked after some time, and I’m guessing it has something to do with my kids’ itchy fingers.
Using poster putty to hold them in place is a great way to prevent that from happening.
All you need to do is stick a few balls of putty in the corners and you’re all set!
8. Hyper Tough Strips
These adhesive strips are actually direct competitors to the Command Strip, but having tested them out before, I would say that they work on lightly textured surfaces way better.
This has something to do with the thickness of the strips, which allows them to “grab” onto more of the surface and have maximum contact with it.
The surprising thing is that they are cheaper too, so this makes a great alternative to Command Strips if you ask me.
What’s next after Alternatives to Command Strips?
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