How to hang a large painting or shelf

Sure, you can tap in a nail or picture hanger and hang a small print or photo on a wall.  But do you know how to safely and securely hang a shelf, or a large, heavy painting?

If you’re hanging anything with some heft to it, whether an antique painting or a floating shelf, the first order of business is to locate a wall stud. Studs are the vertical boards that hold up the walls and form the framing elements of a house. The easiest way to locate a wall stud is to use a store-bought stud finder. Some stud finders use magnets to find nails or screws in the stud, while others (including stud-finding apps) look for disruptions in magnetic fields. Attaching something to a wall stud is more secure than brittle drywall.

If there isn’t a stud in the spot you’d like to hang that shelf, use a drywall anchor or molly bolt (found at the hardware store). Essentially, the anchor goes into the wall first, then you attach the screw, helping to create a more secure hold. Follow the package instructions for the step-by-step.

Safety first: Before you start drilling, be mindful of the placement of electrical wires and pipes so you can avoid hitting them. Be especially careful when drilling in the bathroom or kitchen and avoid the area around outlets.

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Photo Credit: Iakov Filimonov / Shutterstock.com