Hanging things on walls

What to know

1. Know what's behind the wall. Most homes built after the 1960s have drywall over wood studs. Older homes often have plaster, and some walls are brick or concrete block. Source: Consumer Reports¹ Newer apartment and condo buildings may have metal studs. Source: Consumer Reports¹
2. Light picture frame: adhesive strips can work. In Consumer Reports' tests, a picture frame was the only thing worth mounting with strips. None of them should hold shelves or other heavy items, and even an item within the stated weight limit can fail if it's large. Source: Consumer Reports³
3. Find a stud for anything heavy. Use a stud finder. In modern construction, studs are usually 16 inches apart, and you'll often find one to the left or right of an outlet or light switch. Source: Consumer Reports¹ Mark it lightly in pencil.
4. Measure and mark. Use the tape measure and a small level so the item hangs straight. Source: Consumer Reports⁴
5. Drill carefully. Put on safety glasses, because screws, nails and drywall dust can fly. Source: Ophthalmology Academy⁵ Power tools that touch live wires are the most common cause of power-tool electrocutions, so use extreme caution drilling where wires or water pipes could be, and plug power tools into GFCI protection. Source: ESFI⁶
6. Anchor tall furniture and TVs. The CPSC's Anchor It! campaign says to anchor all furniture with drawers, doors and shelves. You need an anchoring kit, a drill and bit, a screwdriver and a stud finder. Source: CPSC Anchor It!² Attach a bracket to the wall, move the furniture close, attach the other bracket to the furniture or TV, connect the strap, then tighten it. Source: CPSC Anchor It!²
7. Use the right screws. Use a wood screw at least 2 inches long into the stud (buy your own if the kit's screws are shorter). For metal studs, use 1⅝-inch fine-thread drywall screws. Source: Consumer Reports¹ On the furniture, go into solid wood as high as you can, not the thin back panel. Source: Consumer Reports¹
8. Test it. Tug on the straps to make sure everything is secure. Source: CPSC Anchor It!² Check each screw by hand with a screwdriver, because a cordless drill can make a loose screw feel tight. Source: Consumer Reports¹

If it doesn't work

• Plaster walls? A regular stud finder won't always work. A magnetic one finds the nails that hold the lath to the studs. Test-drill with a small wood bit just above the baseboard. Steady resistance the whole way means you hit a stud. If you don't, move over 1 inch at a time. Source: Consumer Reports¹
• Brick or concrete block? Unless you're very skilled, hire a pro or handyman. Doing it yourself takes a hammer drill, a masonry bit and self-anchoring masonry screws, drilled into the center of a brick or block, not the mortar. Source: Consumer Reports¹
• Your kit's straps aren't nylon webbing or braided steel cable? A childproofing expert quoted by CR recommends buying a kit that is. But don't wait: install the included anchor now and upgrade later. Source: Consumer Reports¹
• The strip peeled your paint, or the frame fell overnight? That happened in CR's testing too. Source: Consumer Reports³ Use a nail or screw for anything you'd hate to see fall.
• Hit something hard, or see wires or pipe? Stop. ESFI strongly recommends a licensed electrician for any electrical work. Source: ESFI⁶ In a rental, tell your landlord.