Putting Up Shelves and Hanging Pictures

We all know the scenario: you put up a shelf, stand back to admire your handiwork and realise that not only is it very wonky, but it is starting to pull the plaster from the wall and looks like it couldn't support its own weight, let alone that of a whole box of books.

Attaching things to walls is so much more than just screwing the fixings into the wall and hoping for the best. In some cases this may be enough, but mostly it requires a little forethought and some knowledge of what is going on behind your walls.

The following list should help in deciding which fixings to use, how to get things straight and how to make them last the test of time.

• Work out what the construction of your wall is. It might be plasterboard, dotted and dabbed onto a concrete block wall. It may be a stud wall which is hollow on the inside or filled with insulation.
• In the case of plasterboard, the best way to attach a fixing is to use a wall plug which is long enough to reach the concrete beyond the plasterboard. Going into the concrete will ensure that the weight isn't carried by the plasterboard alone, as it can affect the integrity and cause splits and cracks. Simply use a screwdriver to make the pilot hole, tap in the plug and add a screw.
• For a stud wall, fixings are best attached at the point of the studs. A stud finder is a great tool for find the right position. If not, a little bit of tapping on the wall for the hollow sections will work as well.
• To get things straight, a spirit level is essential and someone to help would be good. Have your friend hold the shelf or painting in position and mark the upper corners. Then measure the back of the shelf or picture to find the position of the hanging wire or the fixing point. Simply transfer these measurements to the wall and you have the positions to place the wall plug, tacks or screws.
• To get a good idea of what your picture might look ,like in situ, a good trick is to tape a piece of paper to the wall in position. This is what galleries do to find the best way to arrange several pieces. You can then stand back and view it from several angles before deciding if it looks right.
• If you are hanging a series of pictures or even a number of shelves around a room, use a laser level to find the right height for all.
• Always be aware of where the electrics are positioned in your walls. If you are unsure, then use a special live wire finder or turn off the electrics until you are finished. A good rule of thumb is that it is unwise to screw into a wall directly above or below a socket or light switch. But this isn't fool proof.

A simple job like putting up a shelf can seem daunting if you haven't tried it before, but a little bit of basic knowledge should be enough to turn a plain and boring wall into a useful and attractive space.