There are several different ways of hanging a dartboard on a door. In this article I’ll take you through 3 different options, two of which don’t require any drilling or nails, and discuss their pros and cons so you can decide which method is the most suitable for you.
Hanging a Dartboard on a Door
The best way to hang a dartboard on a door is by using a portable dartboard hanging system. This does not involve any drilling or nails and will work for any type of door. Alternatively, using a U-bracket will securely fix the dartboard in place but does require drilling and only works for solid doors.
Methods:
- Using a portable dartboard hanging system
- Using a U-bracket
- Using command strips
Important Considerations
There are several very important things you need to keep in mind if you are planning to hang a dartboard on the back of a door.
Keep the Door Closed at All Times
It is absolutely vital that you keep the door closed at all times if you are hanging a dartboard on it otherwise someone may walk in.
Putting a sign on the outside of the door and informing your housemates is not enough. Instead, put a good lock on the door so it cannot be opened at any point from the outside. Some people like to wedge the door shut instead, but a lock is a better option.
Make Sure You Have Plenty of Space
You will also need to make sure the room is large enough to play darts properly.
- You’ll need to be able to hang the dartboard at a 5’8″ (1.73 m) height
- You’ll need to be able to stand 7′ 9 1/4″ (2.37 m) from the board and have room to throw
Also, measure the diameter of the dartboard and ensure it will fit comfortably on the door. Some narrow doors may not be suitable.
Consider the Area Around the Door
Ensure that you are hanging the dartboard in an area where stray darts won’t cause damage. Use a wall protector such as this dartboard surround on Amazon to protect the immediate area around the board on the door, but also ensure there aren’t other delicate things on the walls surrounding the door.
Make sure you check the size of the dartboard surround you are using to ensure it will fit on the door. You may need to use a thinner surround if the door isn’t very wide.
Check if the Door is Solid or Hollow
Solid doors are fine to hang dartboards on (unless they are flimsy and poor quality), however hollow doors present an issue. A hollow door will not provide enough support so will need reinforcing with plywood if you are planning on using a bracket.
Note: this doesn’t matter for method #1.
Method #1 Using a Portable Door Hanging System
This option is perfect for both hollow and solid doors, and it allows you to hang your dartboard without causing any damage to the door by drilling it.
How they work:
- The system hangs over the top of the door/ or wraps around it depending on the specific system.
- The screw in the back of the dartboard fits onto the system to hold it in place.
- The hanger can be adjusted to achieve the correct position.
Here’s a YouTube video which shows you how to install one of these portable dartboard door hangers.
There are several different brands which make this kind of product. Here are links to some popular options on Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
| Suitable for all doors | Expensive |
| Allows you to rotate the board | Not all surrounds may fit |
| No drilling required | May wobble slightly |
Method #2 Using a Hanging Bracket
This method is only suitable for sturdy doors made from hardwoods. Most dartboards come with a suitable hanging bracket so if you opt for this method, you will simply need to fix it to the wall following the instructions provided and hang up your dartboard.
If the dartboard doesn’t come with a wall protector, use something like this dartboard surround on Amazon to protect the surrounding area of the door.
You should always follow the installation instructions for your specific dartboard, but here is a quick run through of the process so you can get an idea of how it works.
- Make a mark on the wall 5’8″ (1.73 m) from the ground.
- Position the U-shaped bracket on the wall with the bottom of the U positioned on the mark.
- Mark the two screw points where you will need to drill into to attach the bracket to the wall.
- Drill the holes into the wall.
- Screw the two nails into the wall to attach the bracket.
- Attach the screw into the pre-drilled hole on the back of the dartboard (exactly in the center).
- Hook the dartboard on the bracket by aligning the screw with the “U” of the bracket.
Make sure the dartboard doesn’t wobble. If it wobbles, the screw on the back of the board likely needs going in further. If the screw is in too deep, then there won’t be enough space for it to hook onto the bracket.
| Pros | Cons |
| Secure fitting | Only suitable for strong hardwood doors |
| Allows you to rotate the board | Uses nails |
Method #3 Using Command Strips
The advantage of using command strips to hang a dartboard is that it won’t cause any damage to the door and doesn’t require any drilling.
However, it does mean you can’t rotate the board without re-installing the command strips and it won’t be as secure.
What You’ll Need:
- Command Large Picture Hanging Strips (link to Amazon)
- Dartboard Wall Protector (link to Amazon)
Make sure you use the large command strips which have a weight capacity of 16 lbs. Most dartboards weigh around 10 lbs (without a cabinet), however you should always check the weight of your particular dartboard before trying to hang it up. Do not hang a dartboard cabinet using this method as it will be too heavy.
Command Strips
Dartboard surround (wall protector)
Images link to Amazon
Instructions:
- Wipe the area if necessary with a gentle cleaner
- Make a mark on the wall 5’8″ (1.73 m) from the ground. This is where the centre of the board needs to be positioned. Make marks on the edges around the board before you attach it to the wall to make sure you can position it correctly.
- Click the command strips together.
- Remove one side of the liners and stick them on the back of the dartboard, press firmly for 30 seconds.
- Remove the liners on the other side of the strips and position the dartboard on the wall.
- Press the board firmly onto the wall for 30 seconds.
- Remove the board from the wall and press the strips on the wall for 30 seconds.
- Wait 1 hour before hanging the dartboard back on the wall.
- Assemble the wall protector and fit it around the board.
| Pros | Cons |
| No nails required | Not super secure |
| Inexpensive | Not suitable for dartboard cabinets |
| Easy to fit | Cannot rotate the board |
Height and Placement
You’ll need to consider two measurements when hanging a dartboard: the height and the position of the oche (the line where you stand to throw the darts).
Dartboard Height:
- The center bull must be 5’8″ (1.73 m) from the ground.
Oche:
- Oche with steel-tip darts: 7′ 9 1/4″ (2.37 m) from the center bull.
- Oche with soft-tip darts: 7′ 9 1/2″ (2.98 m) from the center bull.
Here is an example diagram for steel-tip darts.
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