How to Hang a Lamp Without Drilling

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: May 16, 2020 References

It's natural to want to hang your lamp without making any holes so you keep your walls in great condition. Whether your walls are made out of a rough surface like brick or a smooth one like painted drywall, there are items you can purchase that attach to the wall without causing damage. Purchase a brick clip for a brick wall or an adhesive hook for smooth walls to hang your lamp easily.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Hanging a Lamp on Smooth Surfaces

1
Pick out adhesive hooks that are strong enough to hold your lamp. Visit a local big box store to find hooks with adhesive strips. Choose ones that will hold the weight of your lamp easily so they won’t come off. The weight that the hook can handle will be listed on its packaging. ^{[1]
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- Most adhesive hooks are designed for smooth walls, not brick or porous surfaces.
- For example you might choose heavy duty adhesive hooks that can hold 15 lb (6.8 kg) for a heavier lamp, or you could opt for lightweight adhesive plastic hooks for a lamp that only weighs 3–5 lb (1.4–2.3 kg).
- Hang the lamp's cording on the wall using several different hooks, if desired.
2
Wipe down your wall with a damp rag to remove any dirt. Wet a clean rag with water and rub the wall’s surface gently where you’d like to hang the lamp. For a deeper clean, use rubbing alcohol to clean the wall, but make sure this won’t remove the paint before doing so. Cleaning your wall will ensure the hook adheres well.^{[2]
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- If you’re not sure whether rubbing alcohol will remove the paint on your wall, try a little test patch in a corner somewhere or just opt to use a dampened cloth with water.
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3
Wait for the wall to dry completely before attaching the hook. Letting the wall dry where you wiped it down is important so that the adhesive part of the hook will actually attach. Wait about an hour to be sure the wall is dry before attaching the hook.^{[3]
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- Touch the wall before you put the hook on to be sure it’s really dry.
4
Place the adhesive strip on the back of the hook. Your hook will come with a strip that’s sticky on both sides. Peel off the paper on the side of the adhesive that sticks to the hook and center the adhesive on the hook carefully. Press down on the adhesive with your fingers to make sure it’s attached to the hook.^{[4]
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- The back of the hook will have a designated spot for the adhesive.
5
Attach the hook to the wall and press it firmly in place. Peel the paper off from the other side of the adhesive (the side that attaches to the wall). Place the hook on the wall, centering it so that the hook is even and in the spot you’d like. Press the hook firmly into the wall so the adhesive sticks correctly.^{[5]
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6
Wait an hour before hanging your lamp on the hook. Set a timer to let the adhesive adhere completely to the wall before you put any weight on it. Once the hour is up, hang your lamp on the hook carefully so it’s ready to be used.^{[6]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Attaching a Lamp to Brick Walls

1
Purchase a brick clip to attach to your wall. If you’re hoping to hang your lamp on a brick wall where the grout is recessed, choose a brick clip that can hold the weight of your lamp at the store. Look for these brick clips, which are vertical metal pieces that clamp onto the top and bottom of the brick easily, at your local home improvement or big box store. These clips have two hooks on them for hanging things.^{[7]
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- The maximum weight that the clip can hold will be labeled on its packaging.
- Recessed grout means the brick pokes out a little more than the grout.
2
Remove any dust or dirt from the wall, if desired. If your brick wall is a little dirty, use a vacuum or duster to clean the area where the lamp will hang. Pay special attention to the sides of the brick and the grout areas because this is where the brick clip will clamp on. Cleaning the wall beforehand will help the clip attach to the brick more easily.^{[8]
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3
Position the brick clip on the wall where you’d like to hang your lamp. Place your brick clip on the brick vertically so the top clamp goes on first, hugging the top of the brick. Slide the bottom of the clamp onto the bottom of the brick you’ve chosen and push it against the brick so it's tightly secured. Give a little tug to make sure the clip isn't going anywhere, and your brick clip is attached!^{[9]
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- The brick clip hugs the brick vertically with one clamp at the top and one at the bottom.
4
Hang the lamp on the clip’s hook carefully. Most brick clips have two hooks on them for you to choose from when you hang your item. Hang the lamp's cord on one or both of the hooks, wrapping the cord around the hook to make it extra secure. It's best to do this with the section of cord closest to the lamp so the lamp is higher up and won't move around.^{[10]
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- How you choose to hang your lamp on the brick clip’s hooks will depend on the shape and size of your specific lamp.