The warmth of a brick wall makes it a popular choice for homeowners as an accent wall. One potential downside, though, is figuring out how to hang a picture on the brick wall securely. Using a hammer and nail, as you would do to hang artwork on a wall made of drywall or plaster, simply isn’t a good option with brick. If you’re comfortable using a drill, though, you have the skills you need to learn how to hang a picture on brick and spice up that brick accent wall.
Prepping to Hang a Picture on Brick By Drilling
Drilling into the mortar or the brick and inserting wall anchors is the most common and secure way to hang a picture on a brick wall, no matter the type of brick.
Take down anything that’s already hanging on the brick wall before you start to drill. The drill's vibrations could shake loose pictures already hanging on the brick.
It’s important to select the correct picture hooks to support the weight and size of the picture you want to hang on the brick wall. Determine the length and diameter of the screws needed for the picture hooks you select, and then purchase wall anchors that match those measurements. Some picture hook kits may include appropriately sized wall anchors.
Mark the Spot Where the Picture Will Hang
Plan where you want the picture to hang. If you want to center it on the brick wall, for example, use a tape measure to find the perfect place.
Think about whether you need to use one picture hook or two for the frame you have in mind. Mark each spot for the picture hooks with chalk. If you change your mind, you can easily erase a chalk mark on the wall.
These measurements are extremely important, as you don’t want to put more holes into the brick wall than necessary.
If you have people helping you, ask them to hold the picture on the brick wall lined up with the chalk marks. You can then step back and see if you like its position.
Should I Drill Into the Brick or Mortar?
Some people drill the hole into the mortar between the bricks rather than into the brick. If you need to fill in the hole later, it’s far easier to repair mortar than to pay the cost for brick wall repair because you put holes in the actual brick.
However, if the picture is large and heavy, learning how to drill into the brick directly is a good idea. The brick will give you a stronger and more secure anchor point than mortar.
Use a Level for More Than One Picture
If you are hanging multiple pictures on brick, use a level to mark chalk spots that are straight and aligned.
Because the brick wall has natural horizontal lines across it, it is important to mark the spots precisely. Marking the wrong spots could make your picture look crooked against the horizontal mortar lines.
Drill the Hole With a Masonry Bit
Photo: Bangkok Click Studio / Adobe Stock
Attach a masonry bit to the power drill. Start with a small diameter masonry bit and create a pilot hole.
Then attach and use the large diameter masonry bit that matches the diameter of the wall anchors and the screws in the picture hooks you purchased.
How to Drill to the Correct Depth in the Brick
You don’t want to drill too far into the mortar or brick. Measure the length of the wall anchors and of the screws for the picture hooks you purchased. You’ll want the depth of the hole you’re drilling into the brick to match these lengths.
Wrap painter’s tape around the end of the bit at the depth measurement you want to use. For example, if your anchors and screws are two inches in length, wrap the edge of the tape two inches from the end of the bit, so you know when to stop drilling.
Install the Wall Anchor
Insert the narrow end of the wall anchor into the hole you drilled. It should be a tight fit, so you may need to gently tap the anchor into the hole using a hammer.
Plastic masonry anchors are considered by many the best anchors for brick walls; however, sleeve anchors also work well.
Screw in the Picture Hook
Photo: rh2010 / Adobe Stock
Insert the screw attached to the picture hook into the wall anchor. Use your screwdriver to tighten the screw by hand. Using a drill with a screwdriver bit could cause you to insert the screw with too much force and damage the anchor.
Now hang the picture on the brick wall by securing the frame over the picture hook. You can make slight adjustments to the position of the frame to ensure it looks straight compared to the lines of mortar between the rows of bricks.
How to Hang a Picture on a Brick Wall Without Drilling
If you don’t want to drill when hanging a picture on a brick wall, you do have a few other options. However, these methods will not be as sturdy as using wall anchors, so you don’t want to hang heavy pictures or frames.
Nail: You could hammer a nail into the mortar, but this will only work for lightweight pictures and frames. You’ll want to be cautious, so you don’t damage the mortar.
Brick clip: For hanging small, lightweight pictures, you could purchase a brick clip that freely hangs on the edge of the brick at the mortar line. This doesn’t work if the mortar line is flush to the face of the brick, though.
Mounting tape: Double-sided mounting tape or a Command strip may work on your brick. However, if the brick is highly porous, you may not have enough surface space to attach the tape securely. Thoroughly clean the brick before trying this method.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Hanging a picture on a brick wall works well as a DIY project. However, if you feel uncomfortable using a drill or you are trying to hang an extremely heavy picture, you may want to hire a local handyperson to do the job for you.
Expect to pay between $35 and $75 per hour for the handyperson. You probably will have to pay for a minimum of one hour, even though it may only take them a short amount of time to complete the job.
Frequently Asked Questions
Mounting a TV on a brick wall is possible as a DIY project. You will use the same techniques you used for hanging a picture on a brick wall: drilling into the wall and inserting wall anchors. These anchors need to be large to support the weight of the TV wall bracket and the TV. You should drill into the brick instead of the mortar so you have enough support for the weight of the TV wall brackets and the TV.
Some older brick material is extremely hard, making it tough to create a hole. Rather than using a typical wood drill bit, always use a masonry drill bit when drilling into brick. For extremely hard brick, using a power drill with a hammer function may give you better results. The drill bit will heat up as it goes into the extremely hard brick, so you may need to stop after a few minutes and allow the bit to cool before starting to drill again.
Drilling into brick doesn’t have to be a dangerous project if you prep and approach it with the right tools and techniques, but it does come with risks if it’s not done correctly. It can lead to significant issues, such as damaging the brick or affecting the wall’s structural integrity. Applying too much force can crack or chip the brick, while incorrect placement might compromise its load-bearing strength.
Jouviane has spent eight years covering home and lifestyle, focused primarily on DIY and remodeling. When she isn’t working, she’s busy researching DIY projects to update her 123-year-old Colonial-inspired house.
Jouviane has spent eight years covering home and lifestyle, focused primarily on DIY and remodeling. When she isn’t working, she’s busy researching DIY projects to update her 123-year-old Colonial-inspired house.
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