Should I hang my pictures on wall studs?

Many people believe that in order to safely hang a picture it must be on a wall stud, but the reality is, wall studs are rarely located where you need them to be. Wouldn’t it be lovely if architects and homebuilders strategically placed them where you’ll want to hang your artwork? Until they can read our minds, just remember that hanging pictures is all about common sense. Here’s a few things to think about when hanging your art without wall studs.

For lightweight items:
Light items (like the small frames below), canvases, shadow boxes, clocks, decorative plates – these can be hung with a nail, hook or screw. Be sure to choose one appropriate to the weight of your piece. No wall stud is needed when hanging lightweight items.

For heavier items:
Large frames with glass, mirrors or anything that feels heavy when you’re holding it against the wall will need extra hanging power. Consider using two nails, hooks or screws for each piece, which will help equally distribute the weight. In some cases, especially when dealing with large heavy mirrors, it’s best to use screws, wall anchors or toggle bolts. They make larger holes in walls, but offer added safety, an important concern.

With that said, if the studs happen to be exactly where you want, consider yourself lucky! It rarely happens, so if you’ve lucked out, go ahead and hang your piece on the studs.

P.S. I made the pretty wall décor featured here with leftover wallpaper. Want to know how I did it? You can follow my step-by-step instructions in this Wallpaper Design Lovers budget-friendly “how to” post.

As always, if you any questions regarding picture hanging, feel free to leave a comment below.

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Liette Tousignant
Co-Founder of Under The Roof Decorating