How to hang a picture or mirror
Quick answer: Check what is behind the wall with a detector, work out the weight, choose a fixing rated for it (a picture hook for light frames, wall plugs and screws for brick, plasterboard fixings for stud walls), mark the position with a pencil and level, and fix it in.
Hanging something is easy, but hanging something heavy on the wrong fixing, or drilling through a cable, is not. Take a minute to check what the wall is made of and what is behind it.
A big mirror can weigh 10 to 20 kg or more. Plasterboard fixings do not all hold the same weight, so check the weight rating on the packet.
What you will need
- Pencil and tape measure
- A spirit level
- A cable, pipe and stud detector
- Drill with masonry and standard bits (for walls)
- Wall plugs and screws, or plasterboard fixings, picture hooks and pins
- A hammer and screwdriver
Step by step
Check the weight
Weigh the picture or mirror, or check its weight. Fixings are rated in kilograms: use ones rated for at least twice the weight.
Find out what the wall is
Knock on it. Solid and dull means brick or block, hollow means plasterboard on timber or metal studs. Drill a tiny test hole in an out-of-sight spot if unsure.
Check for cables and pipes
Use a detector. As a rule, cables run vertically and horizontally from sockets and switches, and often straight up from a switch to the ceiling. Do not drill near them.
Mark the position
Hold the item up, decide the height (the centre of a picture is usually about 145 to 150 cm from the floor), and mark where the hanging point will be. Use the spirit level to keep it straight.
Drill and plug the hole (brick or masonry)
Use a masonry bit the same width as the wall plug. Drill slightly deeper than the plug. Push the plug in flush and fit the screw, leaving the head just proud so the cord or fitting can hook on.
Use the right fixing in plasterboard
For light items, a picture hook with pins is fine. For heavier items, use a spring toggle, a self-drilling plasterboard fixing or a metal cavity fixing, rated for the weight. Better still, fix into a stud.
Hang and level
Hang it up and check it with the spirit level. For heavy mirrors with two fixings, make sure both are level and both take the weight. Add anti-tilt stoppers or fit a second hook.
Tips
- Use two fixings for any large picture or mirror so it does not tilt.
- For a gallery wall, cut paper templates of each frame and tape them on the wall first.
- Heavy mirrors should hang on fixings that are rated for them, not on a single nail.
Stop and get help if
- Your detector beeps for a cable or pipe where you want to drill. Move the position.
- The mirror is very large or heavy, or has to go over a bath or sink. Get it fitted by someone who knows what they are doing.
- The wall is crumbly, damp or a plaster skim that falls away. Fixings will not hold.
- You are in rented accommodation: check your tenancy about drilling.
Would you rather we did it?
We cover Sandwich and East Kent. Send us a quick message on WhatsApp, ideally with a photo, and we will come back with a price and a day.
Common questions
How high should I hang a picture?
A common guide is that the centre of the picture is at about 145 to 150 cm from the floor, about eye level. Above a sofa, hang it 15 to 25 cm above the back.
What fixing do I use for a heavy mirror on plasterboard?
A heavy-duty cavity or spring toggle fixing rated for the weight, or better, screw into a timber stud. Check the weight rating on the pack.
How do I know if there are wires behind the wall?
Use a cable and pipe detector, and avoid drilling directly above, below or sideways from sockets and switches.
More guides
Last reviewed 17 October 2026. This guide is general information for UK homes and is not a substitute for the manufacturer's instructions. If the job involves gas, mains wiring, asbestos, structural work or working at height, or you are unsure, ask a suitably qualified person.