For most homeowners there is nothing scarier than having to hang stuff on their walls. Except perhaps, having their basement spontaneously fill up with blood. That'd be pretty frightening, but only slightly scarier than putting a hole in drywall. And FORGET about hanging stuff on plaster, that's right up there with finding out the retired neighbours next door are putting on a massive glass addition to accommodate their weekly nudie parties.
Yikes.
I understand your fear. You don't know what size anchor to use, you don't know what size drill bit to use for the anchor you can't figure out. It's a never ending circle of confusion. Almost makes you wish your basement would just fill up with blood so you could make an insurance claim, sell the place and move into a house that already has nails in the walls.
Would you like to save this stuff?
We'll email you this post, so you can refer to it later.
I haven't figured it all out, but I think I can demystify the "how to hang it" dilemma for those of you who are worried silly by it all.
Have a look see.
How to Hang a Picture
How to use anchors and other picture hanging devices.
Viq
OMG! I love your website! I see you already have bff offers, but I would like to add my offer to the mix, along w/a RT ticket to Boston (where I live) so you can help me figure out what to do w/a 3rd-floor condo that is mostly under the eaves. 20" kneewalls along one half of the condo : (
also, how does one use anchors to hang shelves? oh - wait, u can just show me when you come to visit.
Karen
Thanks Viq! Welcome to my website! I came "this close" to hosting a decorating show that was based out of Miami and Boston! I could have stopped by! I probably wouldn't have. I'd probably just sit in my hotel room playing solitaire, but it's nice to think I would've. :) ~ karen
Alisha
I have shelves I'd like to put in plaster walls. Do they sell plaster anchors like the hammer/screw in one you put up? Cuz that'd be swell.
Anna
Hi Karen,
Thanks for this! I have some kind of plaster/concrete sandwiched boards in the wall, and I normally use a masonry bit to create holes. I really like those small white hangers used for plaster, but what were they called? I would love to pick some up! Thanks again.
Karen
Hi Anna - the picture hangers for plaster don't really have a name. They all look the same though and if you go to a hardware store and look in the aisle with picture hangers you'll spot them right away. They'll be labelled as being meant for plaster walls. Good luck! ~ karen
sharon
i think i love you. wait. no, i'm quite sure i love you. you're blog is totally awesome inspiring scary in a good way... and i think i'm a little more empowered...
Karen
Well Sharon. I'm pretty sure I love you too. I didn't want to say anything, but ... yup ... I think it's entirely possible. Thanks for visiting!
christine
oh wonderful! now if I only knew how to fix holes in dry wall... :/
Karen
Hah! Depends on the size of the hole. Sometimes a piece of gum will do. I just jokin'. Please don't shove gum in your wall. I'm sure you wouldn't but ... well ... some people would. :) Post on how to fix holes in walls coming soon.
Heather
Oh, lovely that you've put this up- I was a thumbtack gal for a lonnnng time. Eek!
Alissa
You are hilarious. And a life-saver for introducing me to how I can hang stuff on my plaster walls! God bless you!!!!!
Amy Hadley
There's hope! I'm anticipating concrete walls in the fall, and already a bit depressed over the limits they'll put on my nest-feathering. And tho I do love the rush of power from a drill, the self-tapping anchor is pure brilliance! (Great blog, too! Love the videos.)
catherine
I'm one of those people who hangs nails whimsically.
I'll find a nail of any size in the bottom of a drawer, eyeball the approximate location (never measuring) then pick up a paperweight or one of my husband's things that look heavy and durable, and then bam! Hole in wall. It works. And when it doesn't I just make sure my second hole allows for the picture to cover the first mark. I think of it like the back of my hair -- what I can't see, doesn't worry me. Or I guess if you're fancy, you can do it YOUR way. ;)
Karen
Hah! You're funny Catherine. Yes, I am the fanciest of all the power tool users in this house. :) Just so ya know ... I too have been known to use a high heel to smash something into place.
Anne
That's EXACTLY what I do! And...I stopped checking the back of my hair a few years ago. So freeing.
Jenny
You are fab.
I had to have my sister in law and her boyfriend over for dinner just so we could finally hang stuff on our walls. I was just too scared to do it myself. Now I feel dumb. Thanks Karen!
:)
Karen
Jenny! No problem. That's what I'm here for ... to make people feel dumb. I'm just joshin. Even if you DO screw up trying to hang something, it's really easy to fill in a nail (or even screw) hole. I think I'll do a post on it, now that you mention it! Thanks Jenny!
gina
Hi - great blog. i really like it's layout. :)
Karen
Gina - thanks for the nice words! I appreciate it. I'd also appreciate a bag of potato chips, but since I don't have any of those ... your words will do just fine. :)