How to Hang a Heavy Mirror or Shelf So It Stays Up
Find the studs, pick the right anchors for the weight, and avoid the pipes and wires behind the wall, so a heavy mirror or shelf does not come down.
- Skill
- Intermediate
- Time
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Cost
- $5 to $25 in hardware
- You will need
- Stud finder (one that also detects live electrical wiring), Level, Drill and bits, Pencil and painter's tape, Screws or anchors rated for the weight, Tape measure
A heavy mirror or shelf that falls can injure someone and wreck a wall. The reasons are almost always the same: the screws went into drywall alone, the anchors were too small, or the weight was guessed. With a stud finder and the right hardware, you can hang almost anything securely.
Step 1: Know what you are hanging
- Find the weight. Look at the label, or weigh it. A large mirror can weigh far more than it looks.
- Choose hardware rated well above that weight. A common rule of thumb is to use anchors or screws rated for at least twice the weight, and to read the package for what the rating means.
Step 2: Check what is behind the wall before you drill
Walls hold electrical wires and water pipes, and they tend to run up and down from outlets, switches and fixtures. Drilling into one can cause a shock, a fire or a flood.
- Use a stud finder that detects live wiring, and move it slowly across the area.
- Stay away from the zone directly above, below and beside outlets and switches.
- Do not drill in a wall behind a bathroom or kitchen sink, a tub or a washer, where pipes run, unless you are certain where they are.
If the stud finder warns of wiring or you see something that suggests plumbing, choose a different spot.
Step 3: Find the studs and mark the spot
- Scan the wall and mark the edges of each stud with painter's tape. Studs are usually 16 inches apart, measured from center to center.
- Decide where the item should hang, hold it up, and mark where the screws will go.
- Use the level to make sure your marks are even before you drill.
Step 4: Hang it
If the screws line up with a stud: 6. Drill a pilot hole a little smaller than the screw, going in slowly and shallowly. 7. Drive a screw into the stud, long enough to go through the drywall and about an inch or more into the wood. Leave the head sticking out slightly if you are hanging a wire or hook.
If there is no stud where you need it: 8. Use a heavy-duty anchor made for hollow walls, such as a toggle bolt, rated well above the weight. Follow the package instructions for the hole size. 9. Do not use small plastic anchors for anything heavy.
Step 5: Test it before you let go
Hang the item and press gently down and out on it, while standing to the side. Watch for any movement in the wall. If anything shifts, take it down and fix it before trusting it.
Common mistakes
- Trusting a nail. A nail in drywall will not hold a heavy item.
- Guessing the weight. Check it.
- Skipping the level. Check it before you drill, because extra holes are hard to hide.
- Hanging over a bed or seat. If it falls, someone is in the way.
When to get help
Very heavy mirrors, items over a bed or stairway, and old plaster walls are jobs to have done properly. See the list below.
Stop and call a professional if…
- Your stud finder signals wiring, or you can see an outlet, switch, or pipe nearby. Do not drill in that spot.
- The item weighs more than you can safely hold with one hand, or it will hang over a bed, a crib, a stairway or a place where people sit.
- The wall is plaster over wood strips (lath), or the studs are metal, and you are not sure which anchors suit it.
- You cannot find a stud and the item is heavy. Do not rely on a plastic anchor alone.
Would rather have someone else handle it?
If you are in Essex County, Massachusetts, PrimeFix Solutions does drywall and interior repairs, doors, locks and hardware, and small carpentry.
Ask for a free estimate (978) 417-2042
Full disclosure: PrimeFix Solutions is my own business, so I benefit if you hire them. They do not do regulated trades such as electrical, gas and most plumbing, so for those jobs call a licensed professional.
Common questions
Can I just use a plastic anchor?
Plastic anchors are for light things like small frames. For anything heavy, go into a stud with a screw, or use a heavy-duty anchor made for that weight, such as a toggle bolt or a metal anchor. Check the weight rating on the package.
How do I know how much a mirror weighs?
Check the label or the maker's website. If you cannot, weigh it on a bathroom scale (stand on it with and without the mirror and subtract). Choose hardware rated well above that number.