How to Hang Pictures on Drywall Without Damaging It

To hang pictures on drywall without damaging it, match the hanger to the weight. Light frames hang on a picture hook or removable adhesive strips. Medium pieces need a drywall anchor. Heavy mirrors, shelves and TVs should go into a wall stud or onto toggle bolts. Every hook and anchor package lists a weight rating, so check it against what you're hanging.

Light pieces: picture hooks and adhesive strips

A picture hook with an angled nail holds small and light frames and leaves a tiny hole that's easy to fill. Removable adhesive strips leave no hole at all when they're pulled off correctly, but follow the weight limit on the package and give them time to set before hanging anything.

Medium pieces: drywall anchors

• Plastic expansion anchors: drill a hole, tap the anchor in, and drive the screw so the anchor spreads behind the drywall.
• Threaded self-drilling anchors: screw straight into the drywall with a screwdriver, then drive the screw into the center. No drilling needed, and they hold more than plastic expansion anchors.

Heavy pieces: wall studs and toggle bolts

For mirrors, shelves, cabinets and TV mounts, screw into a wall stud whenever you can. A stud finder locates them, and studs are usually 16 inches apart. Where there's no stud, use toggle bolts or strap toggles, which open behind the drywall and spread the load over a wider area.

Tips that save the wall

• Avoid drilling directly above or below outlets and switches, where wires usually run.
• Mark your spot on a piece of painter's tape, which also keeps the drywall paper from tearing as you drill.
• Use two hooks for wide frames so they hang level and stay that way.

When it's time to take things down, see how to remove drywall anchors and how to patch the holes.

Drywall repair in Orlando

New Ceilings patches anchor holes, torn drywall and walls pulled out by heavy mirrors and TV mounts across Orlando and Central Florida, then matches the texture and paint. Every job starts with a free written quote. See drywall and ceiling repair.