A home starts to feel like yours when the boxes are unpacked and the walls have something on them. Hanging pictures, mirrors and shelves sounds simple, but it is easy to end up with crooked frames, pulled-out anchors, a dozen extra holes and a heavy mirror that you don’t quite trust. We hang art, mirrors, shelves, hooks and wall storage across Pakenham, Officer, Beaconsfield and surrounding towns, using fixings that suit the weight and the wall.

What we hang

• Framed prints, photos and canvases
• Gallery walls and groups of frames
• Large and heavy mirrors
• Floating shelves and bracket shelves
• Bookshelves and wall-mounted storage
• Coat hooks, key racks and entry organisers
• Curtain rods and tracks
• Blinds supplied by you
• Towel hooks and bathroom accessories (see also bathroom fixtures)
• Clocks, wall art panels and sculptural pieces
• Pegboards and garage storage
• Whiteboards, noticeboards and signage for offices

Matching fixings to the wall

The fixing is what keeps the item on the wall, and the right one depends on both the weight and the wall material.

• Plasterboard with no stud. Light frames can hang on picture hooks. Heavier items need hollow-wall anchors rated for the load, such as spring toggles or metal expansion anchors.
• Plasterboard over a stud. Screws into timber or steel studs give the strongest hold and are preferred for mirrors and shelves.
• Brick and block. Masonry anchors in drilled holes, placed in the brick rather than the mortar where possible.
• Tiles. We use tile drill bits and take care to avoid cracking, then fix into the substrate behind.
• Timber linings. Screws direct into the boards or framing.

We carry a range of anchors and choose the right one rather than relying on the generic pack that comes with an item.

Heavy mirrors

Large mirrors are among the heaviest things people hang, and if one falls the result is dangerous. We locate studs or masonry for heavy mirrors, use French cleats or rated D-rings and cleats where suitable, and check that the mirror’s own hanging hardware is sound. Frameless mirrors in bathrooms can be fixed with clips or adhesive systems designed for the purpose.

Floating shelves

Floating shelves look clean because their supports are hidden, but that also means the fixings do all the work. Most floating shelf kits rely on rods or a rail fixed to the wall. We fix these into studs or masonry wherever possible, check the shelf is level along its length and set expectations about how much weight it can safely carry. For bookshelves and heavy displays, bracket shelves are often a better option.

Gallery walls

A gallery wall can look effortless, but it takes planning. We can:

• Lay out frames on the floor first to agree the arrangement
• Use paper templates on the wall to check spacing before drilling
• Keep consistent gaps and alignment across frames of different sizes
• Hang everything level and secure

Curtain rods and blinds

Curtain rods and blind brackets are often fixed into window reveals or just above the window, where there may be a timber lintel, a steel lintel or plasterboard. We find the right fixing point, keep rods level and centred, and space brackets so heavy curtains don’t sag. We fit blinds that you’ve bought, including roller blinds, venetians and holland blinds, following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Renting and hanging things

Many rental agreements in Victoria allow tenants to make minor modifications such as hanging picture hooks, but the rules have conditions. It’s worth checking the current Consumer Affairs Victoria guidance and your lease, and getting written approval for anything beyond small hooks. We can hang items in rentals with approval and remove and patch them at the end of the lease.

Getting the height and spacing right

A general guide is to hang art so that its centre sits around eye level for a standing adult. Above a couch or sideboard, leave a gap so the piece relates to the furniture. We’ll help you work out the placement and show you with tape before we drill.

Garage and shed storage

Pegboards, tool racks, bike hooks and shelving help reclaim garage space. Many garages in Pakenham and Officer homes have plasterboard-lined walls over timber frames, while older garages and sheds may be bare brick or steel. We fix storage systems securely to whatever we find.

Picture hanging across our service area

We hang pictures, mirrors and shelves in Pakenham, Officer, Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield Upper, Pakenham Upper, Garfield and Bunyip. It’s often combined with TV wall mounting or flat-pack assembly. Request a free quote with a list of what needs hanging.

How much weight can a wall hold?

It’s one of the most common questions we get. The honest answer is that it depends on the fixing and the wall, not just the wall.

• Picture hooks with angled nails in plasterboard hold light to medium frames well, because the load pulls down along the nail rather than out of the wall.
• Plastic plugs in plasterboard are only suitable for very light items. They’re designed for masonry.
• Self-drilling plasterboard anchors hold light to medium items.
• Spring toggles and gravity toggles spread the load behind the board and hold heavier items.
• Metal expansion anchors (often called hollow wall anchors) grip the back of the board and hold medium to heavy items.
• Screws into studs are strongest in framed walls.
• Masonry anchors in brick or concrete hold very heavy items when the masonry is sound.

Manufacturers publish load ratings for their anchors. We stay well under those ratings, because loads on shelves and mirrors can be dynamic, such as when someone leans on a shelf or a child pulls on a hook.

Finding studs

In most homes in the Pakenham area, internal walls are framed with timber or steel studs, usually at 450 mm or 600 mm centres. We find them with stud finders, magnets that locate screws, and by checking known features like power points (which are often attached to a stud) and skirting nails. In older homes, studs may be irregularly spaced, so careful checking matters.

Hanging on rendered or brick walls

Brick and rendered walls are common on exterior and some feature walls. Drilling into brick needs a hammer drill and masonry bit. We prefer to drill into the brick rather than the mortar joint, as mortar can be soft and crumble. For rendered walls, the render must be sound; loose or drummy render won’t hold fixings well.

Hanging art properly

For valuable or heavy art:

• Use two hanging points rather than one to keep the frame level and spread the load.
• Use D-rings fixed to the frame rather than string or wire for heavy frames.
• Consider security hangers for public spaces or rentals.
• Keep art away from direct sunlight, heat sources and damp walls.

Floating shelves in more detail

Floating shelves are popular in living rooms, kitchens and bathrooms in newer homes in Officer and Pakenham. Their capacity depends on:

• The depth of the shelf (deeper shelves create more leverage)
• The length and thickness of the support rods
• What the rods are fixed into
• The material of the shelf itself

A shallow floating shelf fixed into studs can hold books and decor. A deep shelf on plasterboard anchors may only handle light items. We’ll recommend options that suit your plans.

Kids’ rooms and safety

In children’s rooms, we recommend:

• Anchoring tall furniture to the wall to prevent tip-overs
• Hanging shelves out of climbing reach, or ensuring they’re fixed into studs
• Using frames with acrylic instead of glass above beds and cots
• Avoiding hanging heavy items directly above cots

Hanging items on new walls

In brand-new homes, wait until you’ve lived in the space a little while before hanging everything. You’ll get a better feel for furniture layout and light. When you’re ready, a single visit can hang art, mirrors, shelves, curtain rods and hooks throughout the house.

Patching old holes

If you’re moving things around, we can patch the old holes and touch up paint so the wall looks clean. See plaster and wall patching.

Hanging in bathrooms and laundries

Wet areas need fixings that won’t rust and holes that are sealed against moisture. Mirrors in bathrooms should be designed for humid environments, with protected backing so the silvering doesn’t deteriorate. Shelves in wet areas are best made from glass, stainless steel, aluminium or sealed materials rather than raw MDF.

Outdoor hanging

Outdoor art, plant hangers, mirrors and signs face wind and weather. On exposed sites in Pakenham South, Officer South and the open country toward Bunyip, wind loads can be significant. We use galvanised or stainless fixings into solid structure and secure items against wind lift. Hanging baskets must be fixed to sound beams or brackets, as soaked soil is heavy.

What to have ready

Before the visit, gather the items to be hung, decide on rooms and rough positions, and keep any hardware that came with them. We’ll bring the rest.

We’ll leave every item level, secure and exactly where you want it, and we’ll take away all packaging and offcuts when we’re done.

Mirrors and wardrobes

Full-length mirrors on wardrobe doors or bedroom walls are popular. Leaning mirrors should be secured with a discreet strap or bracket so they can’t slide or tip, which matters in homes with children or pets.

Frequently asked questions