When you see a bare brick wall, you get the natural urge to decorate it…

Or not. Many people think of brick walls as a challenge that’s probably more than they could handle.

We beg to differ, though. Sure, brick and mortar tend to call for power tools, but that doesn’t make picture hanging on brick walls a big feat. Speaking from experience, finding the right method and hanger for the right wall type and weight capacity is key to success when decorating a brick wall.

Soon, you’ll have your own success in that undertaking, too. Read on for our guide on how to hang pictures on brick walls.

There are three types of brick walls: solid, cavity, and veneer.

• Solid Brick Wall. Solid brick walls are built with two or more layers of brick secured together with header bricks or metal ties. As a result, solid brickwork is the most durable of all three brick wall types. The thicker the layers and the stronger the brick and mortar, the longer this type of brick wall lasts. In fact, brick walls in older homes are often solid, especially in Victorian homes.

• Cavity Brick Wall. Modern brick walls today tend to be cavity brick walls. They’re so called because they form the exterior wall of a cavity built for insulation purposes. It’s positioned 2-4 inches from the inner support, which can also be brick or made of another material.

• Veneer Brick Wall. Veneer brick walls are constructed with a thin layer of brick and serve more as a decorative element in a room or building exterior rather than a structural component. A single layer is tied to wooden or metal studs, providing aesthetic flexibility. Brick veneers are popular since they’re relatively simple and low-cost to build.

Older homes often have softer brickwork, while newer buildings often have stronger brick that is more difficult to drill through. But with any type of brick wall, you can still hang pictures with the right tools and tips.

There are two main methods to hang pictures on brick: by drilling into it or without drilling. If you’re hanging items on the lightweight side, you can get away with skipping the drill. But for anything else, it’s better to be safe than sorry and puncture a few holes for a secure picture hanging.

If you want to hang pictures while keeping your brick wall hole-free, brick clips are your best friend. These fasteners clamp onto mortar joints with serrated teeth at the top edge and bendable metal tabs. As such, brick clips require a brick wall with recessed mortar and protruding bricks that are not flush with the mortar.

To attach brick clips securely, the mortar on your brick wall must be set back to at least ¼ of an inch. Brick clips can carry pictures up to 30 pounds, and they are carried in many hardware stores, especially when the holiday season is approaching, to accommodate the increase in decor trends.

Brickwork often has uneven surfaces, so we wouldn’t recommend using adhesives as your first choice. However, if you’re working with smoother, painted brick walls, and if your pictures are light and small, adhesive options are worth a try.

For brick walls, these include adhesive hooks, double-sided mounting tape, and command strips. Not every adhesive will be compatible with brick, so choose a brand made specifically for textured surfaces.

PRO TIP: Always keep the weight of your artwork and frame in mind when picking an adhesive solution, and consider whether you want the pictures to be adjustable. These are important things to note so you can anticipate the effects of an adhesive on your wall and avoid any lasting damage.

This option may not work every time for brick, and it’s a better match for smooth brick walls. With a picture rail, you can hang as many pictures as you like, and rearrange and remove them at your convenience.

How to install:

1. Mount rail to top of brick wall. Select a flat and smooth area for a firmly installed rail.

2. Insert screws in pre-drilled holes on the rail. If your pictures are lightweight and if the pre-drilled holes allow it, consider using nails. Ensure that the rail is level.

3. Paint the rail to match your wall color if so desired.

4. Hook a steel cord, nylon cord, or brass rod onto the track.

5. Attach picture hooks to the cord or rod according to your desired height.

6. Hang frames on the hooks and adjust them as you like.

Picture rail systems can support a variety of items up to 35 lbs for every cord or rod.

If none of the above solutions are quite right, and you don’t want to go straight for the drill, there is one more option.

Driving a steel nail directly into the wall is one alternative. This will only work if your pictures aren’t too heavy or large.

How to hang pictures on brick with hammer and nail:

1. Position your frame and mark your hanging spot with chalk.

2. Nail into the mortar instead of the brick face. It’s usually much easier for the nail to enter it than the brick itself. Hammer your nail slowly.

3. Hang your frames up and admire your work.

Alternatively, if you’d like something more efficient than bare nails, a hardwall plastic hook is also a good idea. These durable hooks come with built-in nails, support up to 30 pounds, and work well on soft brick surfaces.

How to install a hardwall plastic hook:

1. Position the back end of the hardwall plastic hook against the wall.

2. While keeping the hook firmly against the wall, hammer the four nail pins into the brick simultaneously.

3. Stop hammering once the pins are flush with the base of the hook. Be careful not to overhammer, as it will loosen the hook's hold and damage your wall.

4. Hang your picture on the hook. Adjust using a level. Enjoy the view!

5. To remove the hardwall hook, gently pry it off by sliding a smooth, thin blade between the wall and the back of the hook. Do not reuse any removed hooks.

There are many ways to hang art on brickwork without relying on a drill. But we must admit, drilling the holes you need takes picture hanging to a whole other level. Read on to hang pictures on your brick wall using a drill!

• Drill

• Masonry drill bit (Compatible with your preferred screw or brick anchor)

• Brick wall anchors

• Picture hangers or brick screws

• Screwdriver

• Level

• Chalk

1. Prep the area. Before drilling, protect any fragile items nearby with a plastic sheet or cloth cover, as drilling into brick can get quite messy. You can also just move portable items away from where you’ll be working.

2. Position your frame. Hold your frame up on the brick wall. You can ask for another person to help you with this. Note that the average eye level is 57 inches or 145 cm from the floor. Readjust as necessary.

3. Mark the spot. Mark the location you want to hang your frame on with chalk (you can rub this away on unpainted brick afterwards). Indicate spots for every hole you’ll need and make sure they’re all on the mortar. You can also use a level to help you ensure proper alignment.

4. Ready your drill. Attach a masonry drill bit to your drill. Choose a bit that is sized to fit your screw or anchor. Wear a mask and goggles if you prefer a more protective getup.

5. Get drilling. Drill into the holes you marked with chalk. Drill deep enough into the mortar to accommodate your brick wall anchor or screw. This is usually one-inch deep, but to be sure, use masking tape or chalk to mark the length of your brick anchor on your drill bit. Beware of drilling too deep that you risk damaging wiring and plumbing behind the wall.

6. Hammer your anchor in. Tap your brick anchors into the holes you’ve drilled. If you’re using a one-piece screw like a wall dog screw or bear claw screw, you can skip this step.

7. Screw it in. Screw your picture hanger or screw into the embedded anchor or hole using a screwdriver until the hanger is in place.

8. Hang your pictures up. Mount your picture on the hanger. Adjust to your liking with the help of a level.

After following the above steps, you can now stand back and admire the view on your brick wall!

Brick walls may seem like a big wall to overcome (pardon the pun) when you want to decorate your home, but with this guide, you’re now ready to take the challenge head-on.

Don’t let that beautiful blank brick go to waste and bring your brick gallery wall to life, drill or no drill. If you need more help, we’re always here to lend a hand and point you to the right hanger or hook.

Happy hanging!