Everything You Need to Know to Properly (and Safely) Hang a Heavy Mirror

Proper preparation, including choosing the right hardware, is key to hanging a mirror, whether it’s above a vanity, on a brick wall, or a heavy statement piece.

Because they reflect light around a room, decorating with mirrors is a quick trick to make spaces feel bigger and brighter. But hanging hefty mirrors can be intimidating. Both robust and fragile, mirrors pose a challenge for drywall and plaster walls because of their size and weight. Most new mirrors come with mounting hardware, but selecting the proper installation hardware (the screws, bolts, and anchors that fasten into the wall) requires careful thought. After determining your wall type and picking out the right supplies, use the following advice on how to hang a heavy mirror securely so you can refresh your room while protecting your walls and decor.

How to Hang a Heavy Mirror

Set yourself up for success with the right tools and accurate measurements. Then, collect the important details needed to pick the best installation hardware for hanging a mirror.

What You Need

Note: The tools you need will be dependent on which wall anchors you use.

• Pencil
• Level
• Measuring tape
• Painters tape
• Stud finder or multifunction stud finder
• Screwdriver
• Drill
• Hammer
• Wall anchors
• A helper to assist with lifting, measuring, and mounting the mirror

Step 1: Determine Mirror Weight and Mounting Hardware

Look for a mirror’s weight in the product specs or simply weigh the mirror on a bathroom scale. Most new purchases have mounting hardware included. Look for D-rings, wire, clips, or brackets (also called French cleats) attached to the back or included as part of the purchase. If your mirror does not have mounting hardware, you’ll first have to install it.

Step 2: Know Your Wall Type

Homes that are new builds or recently remodeled usually have drywall, while many older homes have plaster walls. If you’re unsure which type you have, try pressing a thumbtack into the wall. You’ll be able to easily push the tack into drywall but not into plaster. Masonry, such as brick, is another wall type you might encounter that will affect how you hang a mirror.

Step 3: Identify Studs and Potential Obstacles

Decide where you want to hang the mirror, marking the corners or edges with painters tape or a pencil. This will also help you visualize the mirror in the room. Then use a multi-function stud finder to locate any studs, pipes, or wires in the area. Studs can be helpful for hanging a heavy mirror, but be sure to avoid drilling through pipes or inserting a screw into live wires. For especially heavy mirrors, it’s best to secure at least one screw into a stud, so now is a good time to reconsider if the proposed spot will work.

Step 4: Make the Mirror Level

Not only does a crooked mirror look bad, but hanging a heavy mirror unevenly could apply pressure that causes the fasteners to fail, potentially resulting in a lot of broken glass and a big hole in the wall. Measurements are critical in making a mirror level. Start by measuring and marking the top of the mirror with painters tape, then use a level to make sure the line is straight. Mark the center on the painters tape, too, because you’ll need to reference this point while marking where to place screws and wall anchors. When transferring installation dimensions to the wall, it’s imperative to level the measurement between the mounting points as well.

Leveling Tips for Different Types of Hardware

Brackets: This type of mounting hardware is the easiest to make level. Measure from the top of the mirror to the bracket as well as the length of the bracket. Transfer those measurements to the wall. When you’re ready to install, start with the middle screw so that you have something in place, then level it out before putting in the rest of the screws.

D-rings or keyholes: Measure from the top of the mirror to the top of the D-ring or keyhole. Then measure the distance between the two mounting points. When transferring these measurements to the wall, pay special attention to level the two mounting points.

Wire: Measuring for wire is a little trickier since you’ll need to determine the mounting points yourself. We suggest two points, so the weight is better distributed. With the mirror propped against the wall or lying face down, raise the wire up to make it taut and identify two points that will distribute the pressure equally across the wire. You don’t want them too close together; for a large mirror, start around 12 inches (a standard ruler) and adjust from there. Once you’ve found the two points, measure the distance between them, and the distance between the taut wire and the top of the mirror. When transferring these measurements to the wall, make sure to level the two mounting points.