How to put up a shelf or hang a heavy picture safely
How to find out what your wall is made of, avoid hidden cables and pipes, choose the right fixings and get a shelf or heavy mirror level and secure.
- Time
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cost
- Moderate cost
- Steps
- 7
- Checked
What you’ll need
- Cable, pipe and stud detector Search Amazon for cable and stud detector
- Cordless drill with masonry and wood bits Search Amazon for cordless combi drill
- Spirit level Search Amazon for spirit level 600mm
- Wall plugs and screws to suit your wall Search Amazon for wall plugs and screws assortment
- Plasterboard fixings for hollow walls Search Amazon for plasterboard cavity fixings
- Pencil, tape measure and masking tape
- Safety glasses and a dust mask Search Amazon for safety glasses
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. The Amazon links go to search results, so you can compare what’s available.
Safety first
- Never drill directly above, below or beside sockets and switches. That's where cables are expected to run.
- Cable detectors aren't perfect. Some can't detect cables in metal conduit or deep in the wall. Use one alongside common sense, not instead of it.
- If you drill into a cable, don't touch the drill bit or the wall. Switch off the power at the consumer unit and call an electrician.
- If you hit a water pipe, turn the water off at the stopcock straight away.
- In older homes, textured ceiling or wall coatings (such as Artex) applied before 2000 may contain asbestos. Don't drill or sand them without getting them tested.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Work out what the wall is made of
Knock on the wall. A dull, solid sound usually means brick or block covered in plaster. A hollow sound means a stud wall: plasterboard on a timber or metal frame. On a stud wall you'll hear the sound change to solid over each upright (stud). This matters because each type needs different fixings.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Check for hidden cables and pipes
Electrical cables in walls are supposed to run straight up, down or across from sockets, switches and light fittings, so never drill directly above, below or beside one. Pipes can run anywhere, especially near radiators, boilers and sinks. Run a cable and pipe detector over the area before you mark any holes. If you're unsure, choose another spot.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Find the studs on a hollow wall
For anything heavy on a stud wall, screw into the timber studs if you can. Use the stud setting on the detector, or tap and listen. Once you've found one, the next is usually a regular distance along. Mark each edge in pencil.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Mark the positions
Hold the shelf or bracket in place, use the spirit level to get it straight, and mark the holes in pencil. A strip of masking tape over the spot stops the plaster crumbling when you drill and gives you something to write on.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Choose the right fixings
- Solid walls: drill with a masonry bit (hammer setting for brick, not for tiles) and use wall plugs sized to the screw.
- Stud walls, into a stud: wood screws long enough to go well into the timber.
- Stud walls, between studs: plasterboard fixings such as metal cavity anchors or spring toggles. Check the weight rating on the pack.
Allow for the weight of what will go on the shelf, not just the shelf itself.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Drill the holes
Put on safety glasses. Drill straight and level to the depth of the wall plug (wrap tape round the bit as a depth guide). Vacuum out the dust and tap the plugs in until they're flush.
Next: step 7 -
Step 7: Fix the brackets and check
Screw the brackets on, check again with the level before tightening fully, then fit the shelf. Give it a firm tug downwards before you load it.
Tips
- For a single picture, a picture hook with angled pins is often enough and avoids drilling altogether.
- Fit an RCD-protected socket or use a cordless drill. If you hit a cable, RCD protection can save your life.
- Don't load shelves beyond the bracket's stated weight limit, and spread heavy items such as books evenly.
When to call a professional
Call an electrician registered with a scheme such as NICEIC or NAPIT if you damage a cable. Use a builder or handyperson for very heavy items such as large mirrors, TVs on long arms or wall-hung units on old or crumbling walls.
Questions people ask
What fixings do I need for plasterboard?
For light items, plastic plasterboard plugs. For heavier items, metal cavity anchors or spring toggles, ideally combined with screwing into a stud. Check the weight rating on the pack.
How do I know if there's a cable behind the wall?
Assume cables run vertically and horizontally from any socket, switch or light fitting, and check with a detector before drilling.
Can I drill into tiles?
Yes. Use a tile or glass bit, put masking tape over the spot, start slowly and don't use the hammer setting until you're through the tile.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- Electrical Safety First: electrical safety advice for DIY (electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk)
- Electrical Safety First: drills (electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk)
- HSE: asbestos in the home (hse.gov.uk)
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Printed from howtoguides.uk/guides/how-to-put-up-a-shelf/ · Checked 9 October 2026 · General information only. For gas, electrics, structural work, medical, legal or money decisions, use a qualified professional.