How to Hang Wall Art on Brick (Yes, It Is Possible)

Exposed brick is one of those design features that looks incredible in photos and gives any room instant character. It is warm, textured, and effortlessly cool in a way that drywall will never be.

And then you try to hang something on it.

Suddenly that charming brick feels less like a design feature and more like a fortress rejecting your decorating dreams. You stand there holding your canvas, staring at this uneven wall, wondering if you need a jackhammer.

Here is the good news: hanging wall art on brick is absolutely possible. The trick is understanding what you are working with and choosing the right approach. No drama required.

Brick Is Tough, But Not Your Enemy

Brick walls are made of individual bricks held together by mortar, which is the stuff in between. The bricks are hard and dense. The mortar is softer and more porous. Both have texture. Neither is smooth.

This texture is part of what makes brick visually interesting, but it also means you cannot just pop a nail in like you would with drywall. Brick requires more thought, but here is the thing: brick is predictable. It does not hide surprises. It just sits there being strong and reliable.

Brick is stubborn, but it is honest. Once you figure out how to work with it, it stays put.

That predictability is a gift. No mystery pipes, no hidden wiring drama, just solid masonry doing its job.

First Question To Ask Yourself: How Permanent Do You Want This

Before you grab any tools, think about commitment. The decorating kind. How long do you plan to keep this art in this exact spot? Your answer shapes everything.

If you are renting or like to rearrange frequently, temporary solutions work surprisingly well. You can test layouts, change your mind, and leave no evidence behind.

If you are settling in for a while, semi permanent options give you more flexibility with weight and size without major construction.

And if this is your forever home and you have found the perfect spot, permanent installation gives you rock solid confidence.

None of these approaches is better than the others. They are just different tools for different situations.

Hanging Art Without Drilling Into Brick

Good news for the drill averse: you have options. Hanging pictures on brick walls does not automatically require power tools.

Brick clips are clever little devices that grip onto the top edge of individual bricks. They use the natural lip to hold weight and come off without leaving marks. For lighter pieces, they work beautifully. The catch is your bricks need that exposed edge, and weight capacity is limited.

Leaning art against brick walls works especially well for larger pieces. A big canvas propped on a mantel in front of exposed brick looks intentional and gallery like. No holes, no hardware, just art being fabulous.

Adhesive hooks can work for very lightweight pieces, though brick texture makes them less reliable. Worth trying for small items, but manage expectations.

Match your method to your weight. Lightweight solutions are great until they are not.

The honest truth is that no drill options have limits. If you are hanging something substantial, you may need to graduate to the next level.

When Drilling Into Brick Actually Makes Sense

Here is a secret experienced brick wall owners know: drilling is not as scary as it sounds. For heavier pieces or long term placement, it is often the cleanest and most reliable option.

The key insight: you do not have to drill into the brick itself. Drill into the mortar instead. Mortar is softer, easier to work with, and if you ever need to remove the hardware, patching mortar is simple. A little color matched repair and the hole practically disappears. If you are also dealing with cement walls, the same drill and anchor logic applies there too.

Drilling into mortar also means less risk of cracking. Brick can sometimes crack if drilled incorrectly, but mortar absorbs the process more gracefully.

Drill smart, not hard. Mortar is your friend.

If drilling still feels overwhelming, remember this is a one time effort for a permanent solution. Five minutes of careful work gives you years of secure wall art.

Where Art Looks Best On Brick Walls

Now for the fun part: making your brick wall look amazing. Exposed brick wall decor has some natural tendencies worth understanding.

Brick walls love bold. The texture and color variation creates visual noise, so delicate art can get lost. Large pieces with strong presence hold their own against all that character. A big abstract canvas, a striking photograph, a bold graphic print: these make brick walls sing.

Simple compositions work better than busy ones. You already have texture and pattern from the brick itself. Let your art contrast instead of compete.

Let your art stand up to the wall. Brick respects confidence.

Small art is not forbidden, it just needs to be strategic. A single small piece floating on a huge brick wall looks lost. A small piece above furniture, where it has context, can work beautifully.

Brick Walls And Material Pairings

Some art materials play especially well with brick.

Canvas is a natural partner. The soft texture contrasts beautifully with hard masonry, and canvas has depth that lets it hold its own against three dimensional brick. Wall art on brick practically begs for canvas.

Metal art creates striking contrast. The smooth, reflective surface against rough brick feels modern and industrial. If your space leans contemporary, metal on brick is worth exploring.

Bold framed prints work well when the frame has presence. Thin, delicate frames feel flimsy against brick. Something with substance gives the art enough visual weight to balance the wall.

The common thread is contrast. Brick is rough, textured, and earthy. Art that offers something different creates more visual interest than art that tries to blend in.

Spacing And Breathing Room On Brick

Brick walls need more breathing room than smooth walls.

Visually, brick already has so much going on that crowding it creates chaos rather than gallery vibes. Fewer pieces with more space between them lets each one make an impact.

Practically, brick wall art hanging is more of an undertaking than hanging on drywall. Every hole or clip is a small project. This naturally encourages intentional placement rather than filling every inch.

Let brick breathe. White space is not empty space, it is breathing room.

Think of your brick wall as a statement already partially made. Your art completes it rather than overwhelms it.

Brick Walls In Living Rooms Versus Other Spaces

Brick wall living room decor tends to be the main event. Living rooms are where you spend time, where guests gather, where that exposed brick becomes a backdrop for daily life. Art placement should feel considered but comfortable: above the sofa, flanking the fireplace, creating a natural focal point.

Dining areas with brick benefit from art that encourages conversation without demanding attention. Something interesting to glance at, not compete with.

Hallways with brick can handle more experimental choices. Art that might feel too bold for a living room can be perfect where it creates a moment of surprise.

The Brick Wall Mindset Shift

Here is the real secret to hanging wall art on brick: it is not about conquering a difficult surface. It is about working with a characterful one.

Brick walls are not obstacles. They are partners in creating something interesting. Yes, they require different techniques than drywall. Yes, you need to think about weight and permanence. But these are small adaptations, not major obstacles.

The people with the best looking brick walls approached the project with confidence instead of fear, made thoughtful choices, and trusted that interesting wall plus beautiful art would work out.

Brick walls reward confidence. Trust your eye, choose your method, and hang the art.

Your brick wall has been waiting for the right piece. It is not going to reject it. It is going to show it off.

Find Your Perfect Brick Wall Art

If you are ready to dress up that exposed brick, Jessie's Home has wall art that rises to the occasion. Bold canvas designs that stand up to textured walls, modern styles that create beautiful contrast. And if you are still figuring out the best spot for your art, our guide on where to hang wall art in a living room can help you nail the placement. Take a look and find something that makes your brick wall complete.