Decorating Guides
Accessories
How to Hang a Heavy Mirror
Here’s what to know about your mirror, wall and hanging hardware to do it right
Installing a good-size mirror can be one of the quickest, best ways to add light and style to a room. But before you break out a hammer and nails, it’s important to know how to hang a heavy mirror safely and securely. Here are the basic steps, as well as what to know about your mirror, hanging hardware and the wall itself.
1. Assess Your Wall
Your wall material is a key factor that will help determine what tools and hardware you should use. To hang a heavy mirror on drywall, you simply need a standard drill, which you’ll use to screw your hanging hardware into the drywall, ideally at the stud.
If your wall is made of harder materials like brick, concrete, stone or tile, you’ll likely need a specialty drill, or help from a pro. Concrete and brick, for instance, require an impact driver. If you have concrete, brick, quarried stone, marble, or a delicate wall surface like wallpaper that you don’t want to damage, you would be wise to call in a pro, says Benjamin Gilligan, an art installer in Washington, D.C., who has worked at Christie’s and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
An art installer or framer, or a knowledgeable person at a hardware store, can help you assess any specific challenges your walls may present and help you determine the appropriate wall hardware.
Browse wall mirrors by size, shape and style
Your wall material is a key factor that will help determine what tools and hardware you should use. To hang a heavy mirror on drywall, you simply need a standard drill, which you’ll use to screw your hanging hardware into the drywall, ideally at the stud.
If your wall is made of harder materials like brick, concrete, stone or tile, you’ll likely need a specialty drill, or help from a pro. Concrete and brick, for instance, require an impact driver. If you have concrete, brick, quarried stone, marble, or a delicate wall surface like wallpaper that you don’t want to damage, you would be wise to call in a pro, says Benjamin Gilligan, an art installer in Washington, D.C., who has worked at Christie’s and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
An art installer or framer, or a knowledgeable person at a hardware store, can help you assess any specific challenges your walls may present and help you determine the appropriate wall hardware.
Browse wall mirrors by size, shape and style
2. Find Your Studs
Studs are the vertical runs of wood framed into most walls, typically placed 16 to 24 inches apart, as measured from the center of one stud to the center of the next. Ideally, you should install your mirror where there is a stud so the wall hardware is secured by a strong piece of lumber. To find your wall’s studs, you can use a stud finder or gently rap a knuckle along the wall until you hear a shallow, solid thump, signaling that you’ve found a stud.
However, “You’re lucky if you find a stud right where you need to center that mirror,” says Allison Marvin, founder of Sightline Art Consulting in Chevy Chase, Maryland. If there is no stud where you’ll mount your mirror, you’ll simply need another form of reinforcement. That’s where your hardware will be critical.
Studs are the vertical runs of wood framed into most walls, typically placed 16 to 24 inches apart, as measured from the center of one stud to the center of the next. Ideally, you should install your mirror where there is a stud so the wall hardware is secured by a strong piece of lumber. To find your wall’s studs, you can use a stud finder or gently rap a knuckle along the wall until you hear a shallow, solid thump, signaling that you’ve found a stud.
However, “You’re lucky if you find a stud right where you need to center that mirror,” says Allison Marvin, founder of Sightline Art Consulting in Chevy Chase, Maryland. If there is no stud where you’ll mount your mirror, you’ll simply need another form of reinforcement. That’s where your hardware will be critical.
Photo by Aimee Clarke, Third & Wall Art Group
3. Identify Your Mirror Hardware
Mirror-mounting hardware includes two parts: one to be affixed to the mirror, another to be secured to the wall. Most mirrors come with hardware attached to the back, most often a D-ring, a strong wire or a French cleat, which is a set of interlocking brackets (next photo). You need to identify the type of mirror hardware you have so you can match it with the appropriate wall hardware.
D-ring. This photo shows a D-ring mounted to the back side of a frame. The “D” portion of the ring (in this photo the D appears as though it is facing backward) is what will hang off the wall hook.
3. Identify Your Mirror Hardware
Mirror-mounting hardware includes two parts: one to be affixed to the mirror, another to be secured to the wall. Most mirrors come with hardware attached to the back, most often a D-ring, a strong wire or a French cleat, which is a set of interlocking brackets (next photo). You need to identify the type of mirror hardware you have so you can match it with the appropriate wall hardware.
D-ring. This photo shows a D-ring mounted to the back side of a frame. The “D” portion of the ring (in this photo the D appears as though it is facing backward) is what will hang off the wall hook.
Photo by Aimee Clarke, Third & Wall Art Group
French cleat. This photo shows a French cleat secured to the back of a frame. The French cleat on the frame slides into a matching half mounted to the wall.
French cleat. This photo shows a French cleat secured to the back of a frame. The French cleat on the frame slides into a matching half mounted to the wall.
Photo by Aimee Clarke, Third & Wall Art Group
Wire. Your mirror may be outfitted with a length of wire spanning the back and secured to the frame with screws. If so, test the wire’s strength and stability before you hang your mirror. “Stand behind it and pull on it as if it’s hanging,” Marvin advises. “I think you can tell pretty quickly if there’s an issue.”
Wire. Your mirror may be outfitted with a length of wire spanning the back and secured to the frame with screws. If so, test the wire’s strength and stability before you hang your mirror. “Stand behind it and pull on it as if it’s hanging,” Marvin advises. “I think you can tell pretty quickly if there’s an issue.”
4. Choose Your Wall Hardware
Wall hardware comes in several types, and it’s smart to weigh your mirror before you choose, as this will affect your selection.
Wall hooks. Wall hooks are sold along with information on the maximum weight load they can bear. This photo shows two wall hooks that can each bear 50 pounds. With this particular model, each hook uses two nails. These hooks also have open gaps for inserting a drywall anchor or additional piece of hardware to further secure and reinforce the hook.
Wall hooks can be used on plaster and lathe walls commonly found in older homes, says Brian Flax, president of Flax Art & Frame in Chicago, as can screws or French cleats. However, plain nails are not a good idea as they can pull out large chunks of plaster.
Wall hardware comes in several types, and it’s smart to weigh your mirror before you choose, as this will affect your selection.
Wall hooks. Wall hooks are sold along with information on the maximum weight load they can bear. This photo shows two wall hooks that can each bear 50 pounds. With this particular model, each hook uses two nails. These hooks also have open gaps for inserting a drywall anchor or additional piece of hardware to further secure and reinforce the hook.
Wall hooks can be used on plaster and lathe walls commonly found in older homes, says Brian Flax, president of Flax Art & Frame in Chicago, as can screws or French cleats. However, plain nails are not a good idea as they can pull out large chunks of plaster.
Drywall anchors. These secure a screw in drywall. It’s a good idea to use them for additional strength and stability when you’re not drilling your wall hardware into a stud. Anchors like this can typically support 50 pounds in half-inch drywall. The allowable weight load will be listed on the packaging.
Toggle bolt. A toggle bolt is made up of a screw and a spring-loaded toggle. Toggle bolts are a good option for hanging a heavy mirror when there is no stud behind the wall.
You will need to put a nut and washer on the toggle bolt first. Then you make a large hole in the wall with a drill, insert the closed toggle bolt and tighten the screw. As you do so, the toggle will open its wings, as shown here. This locks the bolt into place so the screw can’t be pulled out of the drywall. Tighten the bolt, leaving a gap between the bolt head and the washer and nut. This gap is where you will hang the mirror’s wire or hardware. Mirrors heavier than 100 pounds need to go into the stud or you need to use toggle bolts, says Gilligan, the D.C. art installer.
The toggle bolt pictured here (one-quarter inch in diameter by 3 inches long) holds up to 90 pounds in half-inch drywall. Again, the packaging should tell you the maximum weight load your toggle bolt can safely handle.
Note: You can distribute the weight of a very heavy mirror over multiple toggle bolts.
20 Tools Every Homeowner Should Have | Find hand tools on Houzz
You will need to put a nut and washer on the toggle bolt first. Then you make a large hole in the wall with a drill, insert the closed toggle bolt and tighten the screw. As you do so, the toggle will open its wings, as shown here. This locks the bolt into place so the screw can’t be pulled out of the drywall. Tighten the bolt, leaving a gap between the bolt head and the washer and nut. This gap is where you will hang the mirror’s wire or hardware. Mirrors heavier than 100 pounds need to go into the stud or you need to use toggle bolts, says Gilligan, the D.C. art installer.
The toggle bolt pictured here (one-quarter inch in diameter by 3 inches long) holds up to 90 pounds in half-inch drywall. Again, the packaging should tell you the maximum weight load your toggle bolt can safely handle.
Note: You can distribute the weight of a very heavy mirror over multiple toggle bolts.
20 Tools Every Homeowner Should Have | Find hand tools on Houzz
The large round mirror in this Toronto living room serves as a design feature and a functional one, reflecting light from the windows into the room. Its gold-colored frame echoes the metallic finishes of the bar cart, the coffee table, the fireplace screen and even the vertical line down the piece of teal art.
The antique style mirror in this living room in Lisbon, Portugal, brings an old-world touch to this room and an interesting contrast with the contemporary furnishings.
A mirror with a dramatic silver-colored frame makes a statement in this Atlanta living room. It also adds blue color to that wall by reflecting the pointillist art above the fireplace mantel.
This West Midtown Atlanta condo features a mirror behind the sofa that amplifies light coming in from the windows and sliding glass door. The mirror’s long, wide shape echoes the shape of the windows above it.
Matching round mirrors reinforce a sense of symmetry in this room. The cabinetry on either side of the fireplace and the twin gray sofas add to the room’s balance.
Find round mirrors
Find round mirrors
Rather than a single large mirror, this room features an arrangement of several triangle-shaped pieces. Together, they form a large reflective surface that boosts light in the Newark, New Jersey, room.
The rounded top of the mirror over the fireplace mimics the arch of the alcove window seat, creating a pleasant repetition of shape in this New York living room.
Show us: Do you have a grand mirror at home? Please tell us about it with a photo in the Comments!
More
How to Use Mirrors for More Light and Style
Find interior designers to help you decorate your space
Show us: Do you have a grand mirror at home? Please tell us about it with a photo in the Comments!
More
How to Use Mirrors for More Light and Style
Find interior designers to help you decorate your space
How to Hang a Heavy Mirror
Tools and Materials