Surfboard wall mount guide
How to hang a surfboard on the wall: vertical or horizontal
A surfboard on the wall is both decoration and storage. The right mount holds the board securely, protects the rails and keeps it ready to ride whenever you take it down.
Vertical or horizontal?
Vertical mounting suits narrow walls, entryways, stairwells and the space beside a window or door. It shows the full outline and artwork and uses very little floor space.
Horizontal mounting suits long walls above a sofa, headboard, console or mantel. It reads as a single piece of wall art and is easier to reach.
Surfboard art from Surfboard Trading Co. can be displayed either way.
What to check before you choose a wall rack
Thickness. Racks list the thickest board they fit. For example, the clear acrylic Maui rack from StoreYourBoard is listed for boards up to 2.75 inches thick.
Weight. Check the rack's weight limit against your board. The same Maui rack is listed for up to 50 lbs when installed into wall studs.
Fins. Make sure the rack works with finned boards if your board has fins attached.
Mounting direction. Some racks are made for vertical mounting and others for horizontal. Use the layout the rack is designed for.
Mounting basics
Find the wall studs and mount the rack into them wherever the rack's instructions call for it. Use wall anchors rated for the load only if the instructions allow it.
Mark the positions with a level so both brackets sit at the same height, then follow the rack maker's spacing for your board length.
Keep the board well clear of furniture, shelves, lamps and walkways, and hang it high enough that it cannot be knocked.
Hanging several boards together
A trio of fish boards above a sofa, a quiver wall of four shortboards in a game room, or two boards stacked above a headboard make a bold feature wall.
Mount each board on its own pair of brackets at the same height, keep equal gaps between boards and leave plenty of open wall around the group.
Best rooms for a wall-mounted surfboard
Living rooms, entryways, bedrooms, kids' rooms, home offices, game rooms and dining nooks all work. Boards also suit hotels, restaurants and bars: see our guide to surfboard wall art for hospitality spaces.
About the images on this page
The room images are AI-generated visualizations that show how a board can look on a wall rack in different rooms. Product photos on each listing show the actual boards.
Boards to consider
Quick answers
How do you hang a surfboard on the wall?
Mount a wall rack into the wall studs, set both brackets level at the same height, and rest the board on the brackets. Follow the rack maker's instructions for spacing and weight.
Can you hang a surfboard horizontally?
Yes, as long as you use a rack made for horizontal mounting. Surfboard art from Surfboard Trading Co. can be displayed vertically or horizontally.
Do I need to mount into studs?
Use studs wherever the rack instructions call for them. The clear acrylic Maui rack, for example, is listed for up to 50 lbs with wall stud installation.
How thick a board does a wall rack fit?
It depends on the rack. The clear acrylic Maui rack is listed for boards up to 2.75 inches thick, so always compare the rack's limit with the board's listed thickness.