Best Way To Hang Pictures On Drywall

Although art does not rapidly increase a return on an investment, it does deliver consistent returns that outpace other assets during an economic downturn. Whether you plan to move into a new home or simply want to decorate a room in your current house, one of the most effective ways to boost the ambiance of a room is to hang pictures and photographs. If you live in a home built during or after the 1960s, the walls of your home consist of drywall, which means you should learn the best way to hang pictures on drywall.

Drywall is a flat panel of gypsum plaster between two pieces of thick paper. The material attaches to wood or metal studs with nails or screws. Drywall also goes by the name of Sheetrock®, which represents a brand of drywall frequently used by construction workers in building new residential structures. You can hang pictures on the studs or the drywall itself.

How to Hang Pictures on Studs

Because of their stability and durability, hanging pictures and photographs on studs is the best option. Studs are wood beams behind the drywall spaced around 16 inches apart. You should find the studs behind drywall running vertically, diagonally, or horizontally, as these are the standard patterns followed by properly credentialed home builders. This means the first item on the to-do list for hanging pictures on studs is locating the studs behind the drywall.

The fastest way to find studs is to locate light switches and electrical outlets. They are typically attached to studs, so start by locating one near the area where you want to place something that needs extra reinforcement. Measure every 16 inches from there for stud locations. 

You also can use a stud finder, which retails for just $10 to $50 at your local hardware store. Another way to locate studs involves knocking on the wall to detect places where you hear the most hollow sounds. This indicates there is no stud behind those areas of drywall.

How to Hang Pictures on Drywall Without a Stud

Although drywall is considered more stable than plaster, it is still brittle enough to crumble under the weight of a large picture or photograph. If you plan to hang pictures without using studs, you must ensure the chosen method can bear the weight of the art you plan to hang.

Drywall Anchors

With an appearance like hollow plastic screws, drywall anchors secure directly into drywall to form the foundation for hanging art. The anchors slide into a wall, and once you deploy a hook into an anchor, you cannot remove it. This will ensure your art remains secure on the wall.

Drywall Nails

Drywall nails plunge into the drywall at an angle, which helps secure them since they use the surface of a wall as leverage. They work best for pictures and photographs that weigh up to 20 pounds. Use a flat-mounted hook and corresponding anchor if you want to hang artwork heavier than 20 pounds.

Expanding Plastic Sleeves

Expanding plastic sleeves include wings that spread out after penetrating drywall. The expanding wings secure the plastic sleeves that fit tightly into the right size drilled hole. Expanding plastic wings work best for securing the heaviest pictures and photographs at heights above 60 inches.

Get Professional Support for an Art Hanging Project

Since the early 1960s, Walker Display has provided picture-hanging systems for clients operating in both the public and private sectors. Our clients include Arizona State University, Dartmouth College, and Penn State University. Contact Walker Display today for more tips on the best way to hang pictures on drywall.