# Drywall Anchors vs. Wall Studs: What Can You Safely Hang on Drywall?

> When is a drywall anchor enough, and when do you need a stud? A plain guide to hanging TVs, shelves, mirrors and more safely.

- URL: https://www.bqhs.com/blog/home-safety/drywall-anchors-vs-wall-studs
- Topic: Home Safety
- Published: 2026-09-29
- Updated: 2026-11-04
- Author: The BQHS Team, Baeumler Quality Home Services (BQHS)

## Quick answer

Use drywall anchors for light items that don't move, like pictures, small mirrors and light shelves. Mount anything heavy, anything that moves or anything that supports a person's weight, like TVs, loaded shelving, grab bars and handrails, into wall studs.

Drywall is a sheet of compressed gypsum with paper on both sides. It's great for making a smooth wall, but it isn't strong. On its own, it can only hold a small amount of weight before the screw or anchor pulls through.

That's why the question of whether to use a drywall anchor or find a stud matters. Get it right, and the TV, shelf or mirror stays where you put it for years. Get it wrong, and it can come down, sometimes on someone.

## Practical Takeaways

- Anchors are for light items that don't move. Studs are for anything heavy or anything that gets pulled, pushed or leaned on.
- TVs, grab bars, handrails, cabinets and furniture anti-tip straps should always go into studs.
- The weight rating on an anchor's package is the most it can hold in ideal conditions, so stay well below it.
- Studs in most Canadian homes are spaced about 16 inches apart, measured from the centre of one to the centre of the next.

## What's the difference?

A stud is one of the vertical wood (or sometimes steel) framing members behind your drywall. When you drive a screw into a stud, it's held by solid framing, not by the drywall.

A drywall anchor is a sleeve or fitting that goes into the drywall between studs. When you tighten the screw, the anchor expands, grips or opens up behind the wall to spread the load over a larger area of drywall. It's still the drywall carrying the weight, though, just more of it.

That's the key difference. A stud can carry far more weight, and it holds up to movement and pulling. An anchor is only as strong as the patch of drywall around it.

## What needs a stud and what can use an anchor

| Item | Use | Why |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pictures and small frames | Anchor or picture hook | Light and static |
| Small to medium mirrors | Anchor rated for the weight | Static, but check the rating |
| Large or heavy mirrors | Studs, or heavy-duty toggles if studs don't line up | Heavy, and glass is dangerous if it falls |
| Curtain rods | Anchors for light curtains, studs for heavy or blackout curtains | Pulled every time you open and close them |
| Floating shelves and bookshelves | Studs | Weight adds up as you load them |
| TVs | Studs | Heavy, and wall mounts leverage the weight away from the wall |
| Kitchen and bathroom cabinets | Studs | Heavy and loaded |
| Grab bars and handrails | Studs or solid backing | Must hold a person's full weight |
| Furniture anti-tip straps | Studs | Have to resist a sudden pull |

A good rule of thumb: if it's heavy, if it moves or if someone might grab or lean on it, use a stud.

## Why TVs and furniture straps belong in studs

Wall-mounted TVs are where we see anchors fail most often. The weight of the TV isn't just pulling down on the wall. With a tilting or full-motion mount, it also pulls outward, and the further the arm extends, the harder it pulls on the top screws. Drywall anchors aren't built for that kind of force.

Furniture anti-tip straps work the same way. They do nothing until a child pulls on a drawer or climbs a dresser, and then they have to hold a sudden, heavy load. TV and furniture tip-overs are a real risk for young kids, with children aged one to three involved in [more than 70% of reported TV tip-over incidents](https://recalls-rappels.canada.ca/en/alert-recall/health-canada-reminds-canadians-dangers-related-furniture-tip-overs). If the strap is screwed into a plastic anchor, it can pull right out. It's one of the most important things to get right when you [set up a new home](https://www.bqhs.com/blog/new-home-ownership/what-to-install-in-a-new-home), and it only takes a few minutes with the right screw.

That's why [TV and wall mounting](https://www.bqhs.com/services/installations-and-assembly/wall-mounted-accessories) should always start with finding the studs and lining the mount up with them.

![Toggle anchor installed through a drywall panel](https://whhcdpfddpbfzglzpays.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/public_media/blog/2026/drywall-anchors-vs-wall-studs/drywall-anchors-vs-wall-studs-2.webp)

## Choosing the right drywall anchor

When a stud isn't where you need it, the right anchor makes a big difference. These are the most common types, from lightest to strongest:

- Plastic expansion anchors: the ones that often come in the box. Fine for pictures and very light items.
- Threaded (self-drilling) anchors: screw straight into the drywall. Good for light shelves, towel hooks and small mirrors.
- Molly bolts: a metal sleeve that expands behind the drywall. A step up for medium loads.
- Toggle bolts and snap toggles: a metal bar that opens flat behind the drywall and spreads the load. The strongest option when you can't reach a stud.

Always check the weight rating on the package, and stay well under it. The rating assumes perfect installation in solid, undamaged drywall, and real walls aren't always perfect. If you have an older home with plaster walls, standard drywall anchors may not grip properly, and you may need anchors designed for plaster.

## How to find a stud

In most Canadian homes, studs are spaced about 16 inches (406 mm) apart, measured centre to centre, though some walls use 24-inch spacing. Once you find one stud, the next is usually easy to locate.

A few ways to find them:

- Use an electronic stud finder, and mark both edges so you know where the centre is.
- Look for clues: electrical outlets and switches are usually attached to the side of a stud, and baseboard nails often line up with studs.
- Knock lightly on the wall. A hollow sound means open space, and a duller, solid sound usually means a stud.
- Drill a small test hole where the hole will be covered by the item you're hanging.

Before drilling, be careful around outlets, switches and the area directly above or below them, since wires and pipes often run there.

## When it doesn't line up

Sometimes the studs aren't where you want your shelf or TV. Instead of falling back on anchors for something heavy, there are better options. A mounting board or wood cleat screwed across two studs gives you a solid surface to attach to anywhere along its length, and many TV mounts have wide wall plates that can reach two studs even if the TV isn't centred between them. For [shelving and storage](https://www.bqhs.com/services/installations-and-assembly/shelving-and-storage-installation) in a closet or garage, a rail system screwed into studs lets you place shelves wherever you need them.

And if an anchor has already pulled out and left a hole, patch it properly before trying again. Larger holes and damaged sections may need a small [drywall repair](https://www.bqhs.com/services/interior-care/ceiling-and-drywall) before the wall can hold anything new.

![TV mounted securely on a living room wall above a media console](https://whhcdpfddpbfzglzpays.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/public_media/blog/2026/drywall-anchors-vs-wall-studs/drywall-anchors-vs-wall-studs-3.webp)

## Getting it done right

Most hanging jobs are simple once you know what the wall can handle. For the heavier ones, like TVs, large mirrors and anything a child could pull on, it's worth taking the extra time to find the studs. If you'd rather have someone handle the heavier jobs, a [BQHS membership](https://www.bqhs.com/memberships) includes a member discount on follow-up work like mounting and installs.

Disclaimer: This article is general information for homeowners. Weight ratings vary by product, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions and the rating on the package. Be careful drilling near outlets, switches and plumbing, and contact a professional if you're unsure what's behind a wall.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How much weight can a drywall anchor hold?

It depends on the type of anchor and the condition of the drywall. Plastic anchors hold the least and toggle bolts the most. Always check the rating on the package and stay well below it.

### Can I mount a TV with drywall anchors?

It's not recommended. TVs are heavy, and wall mounts put outward force on the screws, especially tilting or full-motion mounts. Mount TVs into wall studs.

### What can I hang on drywall without a stud?

Light items that don't move, like pictures, small mirrors, light curtain rods and small decorative shelves, as long as you use an anchor rated for the weight.

### How far apart are studs in Canadian homes?

Usually about 16 inches (406 mm) apart, centre to centre. Some walls use 24-inch spacing.

### Do furniture anti-tip straps need to go into studs?

Yes. They have to hold a sudden pull if a child climbs or tugs on the furniture, and a plastic anchor can pull out of drywall under that kind of force.

### Can I hang heavy things on plaster walls?

Plaster walls in older homes can be strong, but they're brittle and can crack when drilled. Find the studs or use anchors made for plaster, and drill carefully.