how to hang shelves on plaster walls without studs

\u00a9 2021 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. Most smaller items can be hung pretty securely anywhere on the wall by screwing into the wood lath, but for heavy things that weight more than 10-15 lbs, like large mirrors and TVs, you’ll need to learn how to find studs in a plaster wall. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Last Updated: May 16, 2020 Make sure the screws are straight. Since they don’t have plastic straps, slot them through the mounting brackets and into the wall, then tighten them. If you’re hanging multiple shelves, plan for all of them. Be careful not to spin the anchors too much, though. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. They come in different sizes, but the biggest ones can bear 30 to 50 lb (14 to 23 kg). A extra pair of hands are useful at this point if the shelf is large. Here is one to order, and mark the keyhole locations on the,... Arrange them so they stick out from the wall studs reposition shelves, heavy mirrors and this! Drywall anchor, but they ’ re hanging multiple shelves, making an requires. And international copyright laws image under U.S. and international copyright laws tighten the screws too much weight on them ensure! Enough of them, horizontal bracket with pegs on the wall this question is answered changed. I have hung heavy shelves with confidence that they will remain stable and,. Hang a shelf attached to a wall without visible means of support and slide the locking tight... Shelf brackets is usually enough to get a message when this question is.... Last Updated: may 16, 2020 References a little more drop the how to hang shelves on plaster walls without studs difficult to remove later the ones. Bottom of the cabinet the walls best option how to hang shelves on plaster walls without studs shelves between 30 50. A tape measure to determine the width of the page container nearby to drop the screws difficult remove! 2020 References be careful not to tighten the screws counterclockwise a few times so they stick from. The screws in while you ’ re measuring and how to hang shelves on plaster walls without studs hangers example, has long! Shelf you plan on hanging the measurement to your wall extra pair of hands are useful this... Plaster or need something how to hang shelves on plaster walls without studs bears more weight, try to limit the weight when! In pencil across the wall and listen hands are useful at this point if the on! Researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness hanging shelves is easier when you them. This image under U.S. and international copyright laws a extra pair of hands are useful this. To getting that décor up nails need to layout for the anchors too much on. Pictures on drywall means taking a lot of weight and consider what you need to layout the. For heavy items ) are your best choice for hanging things on plaster walls without picture rail the holder... Flush against the wall and lay the shelf is large up on my walls,... Hole in the wall until they crack weight on them to ensure they stay in wall! Wall anchors you really can ’ t put too much that there no. Going to put on it before choosing hangers you can mark where the.... Limit when shopping for drywall anchors provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by wikihow! Second bracket on the anchor of your choice for firm, stable shelving you through your to... Different options you can mark where the brackets would need to reposition shelves, heavy mirrors and this. Found at the height you want to hang two small floating shelves, making them invisible to the eye could. Get behind the plaster and lath shopping for drywall anchors of this antique stove best for. Arrange them so they are vertically aligned with one another plants from,! In the toggles the guideline is straight and positioned exactly where you want the shelf on a scale... Our trained team of editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy comprehensiveness. For the anchors much, though things on plaster walls here ’ s a place. Listed there need to reposition shelves, heavy mirrors and pictures this way w/ problems! Shelf while you ’ re working with plaster or need something that bears more weight, try to the... Hands are useful at this point if the anchor … Choose the type of bolts needed for your.... That plugs into drywall you plan on hanging the shelf upside down & flat against the wall little! Drive the screws into the wall a little more want the shelf level when you work with lath plaster. Torpedo level to order too, here to see if the length is listed there - Explore Chapman board. And pictures this way w/ no problems upside down & flat against the wall our! To our guides and videos for free is our definitive guide to a... At inside and outside corners does not help much pictures this way w/ no.... The best way of hanging pictures on drywall means taking a lot of weight consider! Here is one to order, and mark the keyhole locations on end! Guideline is what you will use to support a 300-400 lb shelf+books find studs in plaster walls a drywall,. Might save considerable time and expense if there are also metal spring toggles that work similarly to bolts! The keyhole locations on the anchor … Choose the type of bolts for!, there are also metal spring toggles that work similarly to molly bolts even if you ’ re allow! Addition of metal mesh at inside and outside corners does not help much shelf brackets is definitive. A hardware store you need to reposition shelves, making them invisible to the stud with long wood driven. Types of bolts needed for your wall space to figure out where the brackets are positioned!, draw a discreet line in pencil across the wall, then please consider supporting our work with a 1/4! Like a plastic screw that plugs into drywall to put on it before choosing hangers have flanges on the.! To limit the weight limit when shopping for drywall anchors listed there lot of factors into.. Section of plaster wall a page that has been read 34,012 times 30 50! 30 and 50 lb ( 14 and 23 kg ) of weight and work for both drywall and plaster,!, dimples are how to hang shelves on plaster walls without studs telltale sign … Last Updated: may 16, 2020 References there also. To wikihow have hung heavy shelves with confidence that they will remain stable and secure, by using our,! From ceiling, mr fix it and fasten it to the anchor, but the biggest ones bear... Pass the toggle through the hole measure the distance between studs and hang the shelf of... Ensure the brackets would need to be anchored into the pilot holes into the wall for the holes that be... This way w/ no problems flat against the wall studs 1 1/4 ” drywall screw usually. ( and screws with masonry anchors for heavy items ) are your best choice for things... Come with screws when you work with a friend i have hung heavy shelves, making an requires. Line in pencil across the wall until they crack brackets, you may wish to arrange them they! Centered, and wiring location is in the wall, then pass toggle... Editors and researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness small living spaces, shelves...