If you want your home to reflect your style, hanging art on the walls is pretty much necessary. Whether you prefer family photos, movie posters, or professional paintings, all add personality to your space.

Unfortunately, doing so can also damage your walls. This doesn’t mean you should avoid adding art to your home altogether, but you should be thoughtful in how you hang it—especially if you're a renter. Nails are traditionally the go-to, but these days, products like Command strips boast they can do the job without the worry. But do they really live up to these claims?

We spoke to an expert organizer to get tips on hanging your collection with the least amount of damage and what to do if you need to make a minor repair.

What’s Better: Command Strips or nails?

The official verdict: It depends!

"When it comes to wall hangings, it's like choosing between a salad and fries—each has its flavor," explains Leydi Rofman, founder of The Organized Leydi. "When choosing consider your wall type. Go with nails for textured walls, and command hooks on smooth surfaces."

Command hooks and strips are convenient to have on hand as they work for multiple needs, from organizing to decorating.

"As a pro-organizer, my tool bag is always stocked with command hooks," Rofman says. "They're my go-to for hanging lightweight items and are perfect for closets and behind cabinet doors. I also use them for hanging canvas prints and even decking the halls with garlands during the holiday."

For heavier art, she recommends the the 3M Claw, which she says adds stability without the heavy-duty damage.

If you use the type of Command strips with Velcro, you can adjust them slightly so you can get a perfectly-level painting without having to stick and re-stick adhesive and risk additional damage.

However, while Command products may win in versatility, they can actually cause more damage than a nail.

"Damage usually happens due to user error: overloading them above the intended weight limit is a no-no," Rofman says. Also, be sure to read all product information so you know how to apply the strips properly and that they're suitable for your project.

If a Command strip does damage your wall, it can be more noticeable than a nail hole (especially if you have dark walls) since it can pull off a strip of paint. And, if you go over the weight limit for the hooks, you run the risk of your artwork falling and breaking.

With nails, you know they'll likely leave a small hole. However, they can be used on surfaces that Command strips aren't appropriate for, like walls with lots of texture or when you need to anchor a heavier piece of art into a stud for additional strength and support.

The issue with nails comes in when multiple holes have to be made, so be sure to measure exactly where you want to place your nail and mark it with a small dot with a pencil before you start hammering. You can also use a small piece of painter's tape where you're going to create the nail hole to minimize damage.