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How to Hang on Brick Indoors Without Drilling: Damage-Free Solutions

If you’ve ever tried to hang something on a brick wall, you know the struggle is real. Drilling into brick can be intimidating, messy and permanent. Whether you’re decorating a brick fireplace, mounting picture frames in a rental or organizing tools in a basement, you might be wondering: how do I hang on brick without drilling holes? 

Good news: you don’t need a masonry drill bit or wall anchors to get the job done. There are wall tape alternatives to drilling that are strong, reliable and renter friendly. VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor Fasteners and VELCRO® Brand Extreme Lock fasteners are two heavy-duty options for use on rough surfaces, such as brick and concrete. 

Originally designed to withstand the elements, these fasteners are perfect for inside use, too. You can use them for hanging pictures on brick walls, mounting décor or even hanging lights—no drilling required. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to use them, when to choose one over the other and why they’re a smart alternative to hooks. 

Why Mounting on Brick Indoors is Tricky

Stylish modern living room with a white sofa and green cushions set against a brick wall, decorated with geometric artwork and framed botanical prints. A wooden coffee table sits on a black and white rug, with VELCRO® Brand fasteners used to mount wall décor without drilling.

Brick walls bring character and charm to any space, whether it’s a cozy fireplace, a loft-style apartment or a rustic basement. However, when it comes to hanging pictures or décor on brick walls, things can become complicated quickly. Here’s why: 

Uneven Surfaces

Brick is naturally rough and irregular in texture, making it harder for standard wall tape adhesives to grip securely. And if you’re dealing with textured or painted brick, the challenge increases even further.

Risk of Damaging Historic or Decorative Brick

Drilling into brick isn’t just a hassle—it’s irreversible. Especially in older buildings, drilling a hole can chip the surface, weaken the structure or ruin the aesthetic.

Dust and Debris from Drilling

Even if you’re comfortable using a masonry drill bit, drilling into brick creates a mess. Think fine red dust, crumbling mortar and the need for anchors or screws.

Limited Flexibility for Repositioning

Once you’ve drilled into brick, there’s no going back. If you change your mind about placement—or want to move your wall hanging later—you’re stuck with visible holes.

Meet the Fasteners: Two Smart Alternatives to Drilling into Brick

VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor Fasteners

Use for items you’ll reposition or replace.

Titanium VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor 6in x 4in Strips - 3 ct

VELCRO® Brand Extreme Lock Fasteners

Use for a stronger, semi-permanent hold.

When it comes to hanging on a brick wall without drilling, not all fasteners are created equal. That’s why the VELCRO® Brand offers two robust, easy-to-use fasteners for brick walls and rough surfaces. No tools, no damage, no stress. Whether mounting a picture frame, organizing your space or adding some flair to a brick wall, these fasteners have you covered. 

You might recognize these fasteners from outdoor projects, but here’s the secret: they work just as well indoors.

VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor Fasteners

Repositionable. Reusable. Surprisingly strong.

Wall-mounted coat rack with four metal hooks attached to a brick-patterned wall using VELCRO® Brand fasteners, offering a damage-free alternative to drilling.

These aren’t your average hook and loop strips. Designed to withstand the elements, VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor Fasteners are perfect for indoor brick walls. Their rugged adhesive grips rough surfaces, such as brick, concrete and stone, making them a great choice for renters, decorators and DIY enthusiasts alike.

Here are some product highlights:

  • Traditional hook and loop design for easy opening and closing.
  • Ideal for items you want to reposition or remove later.
  • Works on rough surfaces like indoor brick, concrete and unfinished wood.
  • Weather-resistant = long-lasting even in humid or high-traffic indoor areas.

Perfect for: Wall décor, seasonal decorations, lightweight tools and temporary displays.

VELCRO® Brand Extreme Lock Fasteners

Heavy-duty. Snap-tight. Built to stay put.

Need a stronger hold? VELCRO® Brand Extreme Lock Strips (formerly ALFA-LOK® fasteners) are your go-to choice for semi-permanent mounting on brick. These fasteners use a unique hook-to-hook system that snaps together with an audible click, so you know it’s locked in place.

  • Omnidirectional hook-to-hook design for secure, flush mounting.
  • Audible click confirms a tight, wobble-free hold.
  • Supports up to 15 lbs (or 2.5 lbs per square inch).
  • Great for indoor or outdoor use, even in extreme temperatures.
  • Works on smooth and mildly rough surfaces, including brick, metal and glass.

Perfect for: Picture hanging, smart home devices, mirrors, wall-mounted accessories and heavier décor.

Both fasteners offer a damage-free alternative to drilling into brick, giving you the flexibility to decorate, organize and personalize your space—without the mess or commitment of traditional hardware.

Why These “Outdoor” Fasteners Work Indoors

You might wonder: If these fasteners are designed for outdoor use, why use them indoors? The answer is simple—they’re built tough, which makes them perfect for indoor spaces where traditional adhesives may fall short.

Designed for Extreme Conditions = Overkill in the Best Way

VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor and Extreme Lock fasteners are engineered to handle rain, snow, heat and UV exposure. So, when you bring them inside, they’re more than ready to take on humid basements, busy kitchens or high-traffic areas.

UV and Water Resistance = Long-Lasting Indoors Too

Moisture and temperature changes can weaken standard adhesives over time. But these fasteners are UV- and water-resistant, meaning they’ll hold firm even in damp or fluctuating environments. They’ll happily hang your items anywhere from the laundry room to the garage.

Stick to Rough Surfaces Like Brick, Concrete and Stone

Most indoor adhesives struggle to adhere to textured surfaces. These fasteners don’t. Whether working with exposed brick, painted concrete or stone walls, these fasteners grip where others can’t.

No Tools, No Mess, No Damage

Forget the masonry drill bit, the dust and the commitment. These fasteners offer a clean, damage-free alternative to traditional mounting methods. Just peel, stick and press—no holes, no hassle, and no regrets.

Step-by-Step: How to Mount on Indoor Brick (Without Drilling)

Time needed: 5 minutes

Hanging things on brick doesn’t have to mean drilling holes or damaging your walls. Here’s how to do it the easy way—with VELCRO® Brand fasteners:

  1. Wipe down the brick.

    Use a dry cloth or brush to wipe away dust and debris. A clean surface helps the adhesive stick better.
    Person wearing a yellow rubber glove cleaning a reddish-brown brick wall with a pink cloth. Preparing the surface for applying VELCRO® Brand fasteners.

  2. Prep your fastener.

    Peel off the protective liner to expose the adhesive side of the fastener.
    Backing being peeled off VELCRO® Brand Extreme Lock Fastener

  3. Stick it to your wall.

    Press the adhesive side firmly onto the brick. Apply even pressure for a strong, lasting bond.
    Close-up of a red and white EXIT sign being mounted on a brick wall using VELCRO® Brand fasteners, offering a secure, no-drill solution.

  4. Let it set.

    Wait at least 60 minutes before mounting anything. For maximum strength, let the adhesive cure for 24 hours.
    Stopwatch showing 60mins, indicating how long to let VELCRO® Brand fastener cure on brick wall.

  5. Mount your item! 

    Peel off the second liner and press your item firmly onto the fastener.  
    Backing peeled off VELCRO® Brand fastener on plain white background.

  6. Adjust as needed. 

    No need to stress about perfect placement—these fasteners can be repositioned easily if your item isn’t level. 
    Woman adjusting a large canvas painting on a white brick wall using VELCRO® Brand fasteners in a cozy living room with modern decor, including a beige sofa, wooden shelving unit and desk.

Top Tips

  1. Apply at room temperature: For best results, apply when the temperature is 50°F (10°C) or higher.
  2. Press firmly: Apply pressure for 30 seconds to ensure a strong bond.
  3. Wait for the adhesive to cure: Let the adhesive set for at least 24 hours before hanging anything.
  4. Weigh your item: Keep to one square inch per 2.5 lbs of weight.
  5. Avoid drywall or fabric surfaces: These fasteners are made for solid, textured materials.
  6. Choose the right fastener
Close-up image of a VELCRO® Brand hook and loop fastener with the hook side facing up and the loop side facing down, demonstrating the product's texture and fastening mechanism.
VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor Fastener: Easy to Reposition
Close-up image of a VELCRO® Brand hook-to-hook fastener, also known as Extreme Lock or ALFA-LOK® fastener. The fastener is partially separated, showing its interlocking hook structure designed for strong, flush mounting on rough or smooth surfaces.
VELCRO® Brand Extreme Lock Fastener: Semi-Permanent

Use Case Ideas

Now that you know how to hang things on brick without drilling, here are a few creative ideas to try:

  • Hang picture frames on brick walls or feature unique décor, such as vinyls.
  • Mount smart home devices, such as cameras or sensors.
  • Hang lights on a brick wall without drilling.
  • Mount a small rug on your wall as stylish décor.
  • Organize tools or supplies in a basement or garage.
  • Decorate brick fireplaces with seasonal or permanent décor.

Conclusion

Mounting on brick doesn’t have to be hard—or permanent. With VELCRO® Brand Extreme Outdoor and Extreme Lock fasteners, you can skip the drill and still get a strong, secure hold on even the roughest surfaces.

So, whether you want to hang pictures on brick walls without drilling holes or organize your space, these fasteners are your go-to solution!

Got a creative way you’ve used VELCRO® Brand fasteners on brick?

Tag @velcrobrand on Instagram—we’d love to see how your brick décor looks!

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