How to Hang Pictures on Plaster Walls

With adhesive hooks, no drilling is required. All you need to do is place the hook wherever you want the pictures to be and apply some force so the hook is fully stuck to the wall. Use a leveler to help you ensure the picture is hung straight.

Most picture frames require a nail and hook system to be hung securely. Depending on the weight, you might opt for the heavy-duty ones used in galleries, which come with a thicker nail. Either way, this is another drill-free method to hang pictures on plaster walls. Simply angle the nail downward at about 45 degrees to the wall through the hook it came with and gently hammer the nail through.

For any frames heavier than 10 pounds, it’s best to hang them on a stud for extra support. Use a stud finder to locate the stud in your wall. If you don’t have the tool, simply wrap a magnet in a thin layer of tape and move it slowly through the area where you think there might be a stud. Since studs contain drywall screws, it will attract the magnet, creating a pull. Or, simply knock on the wall and find the hollow areas between studs.

Once you know where to drill, put some tape down. This will prevent the plaster from cracking. Use a pencil or marker to mark the holes so your pictures are distributed on the wall the way you want them to. Placing tape first also prevents plaster dust from flying all over the place.

No matter what screws you choose to use, a small bit usually does the trick for hanging pictures on plaster walls. Using a normal power drill and a standard wood bit of your desired size, set the drill to clockwise and slowly drill to your desired depth. Reverse to the counterclockwise setting and back out of the drilled hole. Make sure to leave enough room for the end of the screw to stick out of the wall if you planning on hanging onto them directly.

Insert wall anchors so the bolts don’t move around. Keep in mind that drywall anchors won’t really work with plaster walls because they’re not designed for that kind of material. Molly bolts, toggle bolts, and expansion anchors designed for masonry will give you a much stronger hold without damaging the plaster around it.

Finally, it’s time to hang your picture. Use a leveler to ensure the images are straight. You can also use the leveler to reach 45-degree angles. Gently tuck the frame to make sure the wire is properly placed on the hook. Don’t forget to take a picture and show off your final result!

For a more elevated and professional look, consider using a picture hanging system instead of directly hanging the frames onto your plaster walls. These systems come with adjustable, slideable axes with different sizes of hanging hooks, and all you really need to do is install the rail molding. These systems often come with detailed installation instructions.