Hanging pictures and mirrors

Things to think about

Do not drill directly above or below light switches or plug sockets as cables conventionally run vertically up from light switches and down from sockets.

A cable, pipe and stud detector is an essential tool to help locate timber studs and identify the locations of electricity cables and water pipes below the wall surface.

Consider what type of wall you are working with – for example, a solid wall or a hollow stud wall – and use appropriate fixings for the weight of the picture or mirror.

Lightweight pictures and mirrors can be hung from a pin picture hook hammered into the wall, but check first that the plaster is sound. You want the pin hook to go cleanly into the plaster and not cause it to flake away.

Masonry walls will accept some picture hooks and masonry nails. However, for heavier pictures, a screw fixing is required with the appropriate size wall plug, to ensure that the weight of the picture can be supported. A power drill or drill/driver will be required to make the necessary pilot holes.

With stud (hollow) walls, plasterboard is attached to vertical timbers called studs and horizontal timbers called noggings. Locate a timber to screw into and you have a solid fixing for the nail or screw. To hang heavy pictures on a stud wall you must find fixing positions directly into the studs.

Mirror adhesive or selfadhesive mirror pads can be used to stick lightweight mirrors to a wall surface. Do not attempt this with anything but the lightest of mirrors.

Using two people to hang a picture is best, as one can hold it in place while the other can stand back and make judgements on height and position.

Picture wire is better than string for hanging pictures, as the wire will not stretch or wear through.

Lighting is important to show off pictures to their full potential. Consider having picture lights fitted, above a picture, or directional spotlights that may be tilted and positioned as required to highlight a special picture.

An impression of space can be created by hanging large mirrors in small rooms. They can also help to bring more light into a dark room, by reflecting the natural light.

Equipment you may need

Cable, pipe and stud detector

Safety glasses

Spirit level

Tape measure

Screwdriver

Pencil

Carpenter's awl (bradawl)

Hammer

Hang lightweight pictures and mirrors

Picture hanging kit (if you have lots of pictures to hang)

Picture hooks

Hang heavier pictures and mirrors

           

Power drill (for masonry walls)

Drill/driver and bits

Screws

Spiral/self-drilling wall plugs (for stud walls)

Hollow wall anchors (for stud walls)

Hang unframed mirrors

           

Mirror screws (for mirrors with predrilled fixing holes)

Mirror brackets (for mirrors with no predrilled fixing holes)