How to Hang Anything on Any Wall

My first apartment had seventeen unnecessary holes in the walls when I moved out. I lost most of my deposit. I was guessing at everything — hammering nails wherever seemed right, hoping for the best. Those days are over.

Here’s the actual decision tree.

Step One: Find the Stud (or Don’t)

A stud finder costs $15 and saves you from a lot of regret. For anything heavy, you want to hit a stud. Slide the finder along the wall until it beeps, mark it with a pencil, verify by tapping (solid sound vs. hollow sound). When in doubt, go two inches left or right and check again — stud finders lie sometimes.

Step Two: Know What You’re Hanging

Under 5 lbs: a finishing nail at an angle. Done. 5 to 20 lbs with no stud available: plastic expansion anchor. Drill a pilot hole, tap the anchor in, drive the screw. Solid. 20 to 50 lbs: toggle bolt or snap toggle. These grip the back of the drywall and are surprisingly strong. Over 50 lbs: into a stud, full stop. No anchor handles a TV above the fireplace.

Plaster Walls

Older homes have plaster over lath. Stud finders often struggle with it. Drill slow, use a sharp bit, and don’t force anything. Plaster cracks when it’s angry.

Brick and Concrete

Masonry bit, hammer drill if you have one, and a plastic masonry anchor. Take your time.

Measure twice, drill once. Your walls will thank you.