The best ways to hang art on brick or concrete walls
Brick and concrete can give artwork a calm, architectural backdrop, but they need a different approach from plasterboard. In Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, many terraces and apartments have brick veneer, rendered masonry or concrete panels; Perth homes often pair brick or concrete block with modern interiors. A wall may look solid while hiding hollow cores, reinforcement, pipes or cables.
The goal is a level display that stays secure without chipping the wall or making future repairs harder. Identify the substrate, calculate the framed weight and choose the fixing before arranging the gallery, then check the practical rules for a rental, apartment or heritage home.
Identify the wall before choosing a hook
Inspect the wall’s construction rather than judging it by colour. Brick veneer, solid clay brick, concrete block and poured concrete behave differently; a concrete panel may contain hollow cores or steel. Mark the area with masking tape and inspect a low-risk edge if needed.
Mortar joints are usually weaker than the brick or block units, and edges can spall. Choose solid material, keep clear of joints and corners, and use a detector or building information to locate services. Never assume a cable or pipe is absent because the wall is covered.
Calculate the framed weight, including glass, backing and any shelf, and allow for knocks or vibration. If a work is large, valuable or fixed above a bed, have a professional assess the substrate and hanging system rather than relying on one picture hook.
Match the fixing to the artwork
Do not use a plasterboard plug or drywall anchor in masonry. For lightweight to medium frames, a purpose-made masonry screw or screw-in anchor is often simplest. Expansion plugs can suit brick and block, but use the size and load rating for the actual substrate. Adhesive hooks are only appropriate where their manufacturer permits; most are unsuitable for porous, dusty brick or unpainted concrete.
Heavy pieces, or frames on hollow brick, may need a rated hollow-wall anchor, masonry bolt or chemical resin anchor. Follow the resin’s cure time and avoid drilling into reinforcement or services. On hollow units, a properly installed chemical anchor can outperform a poorly fitted universal plug.
The artwork needs a sound hanging point too. Two D-rings or straps at the upper corners, a rated French cleat, or a timber cleat fixed into masonry distribute the load and reduce twisting. Use safety hooks or bumpers so the frame’s back does not touch rough brick.
Plan the arrangement before drilling
Plan the composition with full-size paper templates. Tape the outline to the wall, move it from a comfortable viewing position and use a spirit level before marking. A centre height around 145–150 cm is a starting point in many living rooms, but furniture and sightlines matter more than a fixed rule.
For several pieces, equal gaps and a consistent baseline usually look calmer than a crowded arrangement. Use gallery wall spacing as a practical reference, then adjust for frame depth and the height of the sofa, bed or console. In a bedroom, connect the lower edge visually to the headboard rather than an arbitrary wall number.
Compare the common fixing options before drilling:
| Fixing | Best suited to | Key caution |
|---|---|---|
| Masonry screw or screw-in anchor | Light to medium frames in solid brick or block | Check the stated load and substrate |
| Expansion plug | Light to medium frames in suitable brick or concrete | A universal plug may not suit hollow units |
| Masonry bolt or chemical anchor | Heavy frames or demanding loads | Check the rating and observe resin cure time |
| Cleat with rated screws | Two-point gallery systems and larger works | Fix into sound masonry, not weak mortar |
For a salon-style grouping, distribute heavier frames across the wall and use a central anchor only where the frame has a suitable fixing point. In a minimalist room, fewer large pieces can still need stronger hardware because each object is bigger.
Drill without damaging the masonry
Use a masonry bit matched to the material, a reliable drill or rotary hammer, a vacuum, eye protection and a dust mask. Drill with steady pressure and keep the bit perpendicular. A wood bit can split brick or wander inside a hollow core, while forcing the hole rarely improves an anchor’s grip.
Clean out debris and make only the pilot hole required by the fixing instructions. Vacuum dust immediately; brick and concrete particles are abrasive and can mark floors. For an unused or misplaced hole, fill it with matching masonry compound and let it cure before repainting.
Coastal homes in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane can face humidity and salt-laden air, so choose stainless-steel or properly coated fixings. In a bathroom, use sealed frames or a moisture-resistant hanging system. In older Australian homes, stop if drilling reveals unexpected fibrous material, since some pre-1980 coatings may contain asbestos.
Install and check the fixings
For a rental, check the lease and obtain the landlord’s written consent; state residential tenancy rules and the agreement can determine whether a fixing is allowed. In apartments, strata by-laws in NSW, Victoria and Queensland may cover common-property walls or require body-corporate approval. A heritage-listed home may also need council advice.
A weekend run to Bunnings or Mitre 10 is a familiar Australian hardware habit. These stores commonly stock masonry bits, plugs, screws, SDS bits and chemical cartridges in Australian dollars, so compare manufacturer load ratings and substrate labels rather than packet size.
Mark the fixing points, check them against the template, drill, remove dust and fit the anchors. Drive screw-in anchors to the specified depth and allow resin to cure fully. Hang the artwork slowly, confirm the level, then check again after several days for movement or cracking; record the fixing locations for future redecorating.
A dependable hanging checklist
A quick check before drilling prevents most avoidable mistakes:
- Identify the wall and avoid mortar joints, edges and buried services.
- Confirm landlord, body-corporate or heritage approval where required.
- Match the anchor to the substrate and the complete weight of the artwork.
- Use two sound fixing points and the frame’s rated hanging hardware.
- Drill with the correct bit, clean the hole and observe chemical cure times.
- Test the load gradually, confirm the level and record the locations.
The result should feel connected to the room, not merely pinned onto it. Keep the frame slightly away from rough masonry and coordinate nearby furniture and textiles. For a living-room arrangement, rug styling ideas can help balance the gallery’s lower edge with the room’s proportions.
Choose one piece, select the correct masonry fixing, and turn the space into a finished display. Subscribe to the Focus LDN email list for practical guides to gallery walls, frames and stylish apartment living.
