Good Questions: How Do I Deal With Plaster Walls?

Dear AT,

I'm moving into a restored Victorian place and it has what I believe to be plaster walls. Thankfully they aren't the lumpy sort. I've had trouble putting nails and screws in plaster before. Usually, the wall crumbles and the screw or the nail bends.

I just bought some shelving and curtain rods and I can't risk the crumbling b/c i have very limited space to work with. How do you do it correctly?

Thanks,
mg

Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.
Email questions & pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com
Link To All Good Questions

Dear mg,

No matter what you're trying to hang, be sure to first drill a very small pilot hole. It's these small stages of drilling that will help your walls not crumble. Also check out if you have picture rails built into the corners of walls/rooms. Many great, old apartments have them, so go ahead and use 'em!

For hanging shelving, be sure to find the wall studs and drill directly into them, again creating a small pilot hole first. If you can't drill into the stud, you'll have to get the appropriate size/style anchors for the wall, which are so hardcore you should be able to hang anything. Ask for help at your local hardware store for finding the right anchors for the right project.

Anyone else have helpful tips for mg?

Comments (1)

It's been years since this good question was answered and here's another solution. I had a similar question for hanging a heavy mirror on the hard plaster wall of my NYC apartment and went to Home Depot looking for the right type/size drill bit, anchors, screws, hooks, etc. They now carry hardened steel nails that "will not damage your walls" as they are a very small diameter. They also come in packages with hardware for hanging things, plus they're rated for 20 lbs, 30 lbs, 50 lbs.