In the US, most homes have framing members (often called "studs") installed on 16 inch centers. Other standards call for 24 inch centers. Locating them to support pictures, shelves, tapestry, etc is important if you want them to stay put. Here's how to find them without purchasing special tools.
Step 1
Inspect the walls. With your head close to the walls to look across the surface, look for dimples and / or bumps. Lightly mark the dimples and bumps with a pencil. The dimples should only be the size of of a nail or screw head, and the bumps the same size to slightly larger. Try to find two or more close together across the wall's surface left and right and up and down. If none can be found where needed, continue on to the next steps.
Step 2
Inspect baseboard molding. Look directly at the molding along the entire length for exposed nail heads or evidence of wood filler placed over the nail heads. If not plainly evident (covered, painted, etc.), again, lightly indicate the locations with a pencil. Try to find two or more nail heads left and right along the molding.
Step 3
Determine if any dimples or bumps in the wall are aligned directly above each other - including those that were found on the baseboard molding. The more found in a vertical row, the more likely it is that under the bumps and dimples are the nails or screws that were used to secure the wallboard to the studs.
Step 4
Accurately measure the distance between the vertical rows of the nail / screw heads found above. It will likely be 16 or 24 inches, with the 16 inch measurement being far more common.
Step 5
The measurement found between will repeat. Use the repeating measurement to help project the location of the next stud. The 16 inch centered studs will be found at 16", 32", 48" etc. from nearly any stud found. Likewise, the 24 inch centered studs will be found 24", 48", 72" etc from nearly any stud found. Places where the distance may be less than the 16" or 24" multiplier can occur at wall corners, doorways and windows.
Step 6
Locate a stud by finding an electrical outlet, preferably one not in close proximity to corners, doorways or windows.
Step 7
Remove the wall plate from the outlet.
Step 8
If the stud is not visible, carefully probe against the outside the box (to the left and right) with a very thin screwdriver or awl (a short, straight piece of coat hanger cut at a 45 degree angle works very well. Bend at a 90 degree angle to hold comfortably). Press the probe in into the wallboard or plaster at an angle pointed away from the box. Since most electrical outlets boxes are installed before the walls are finished, they are supported by studs. The box would likely be supported on the right or left side, by the stud. If the probe passes unobstructed into the void beside the box, the stud is likely on the other side. Probe the other side similarly. If it only passes a short distance before stopping, this is likely the stud location. If it does not, it is possible that the outlet was installed after the walls were finished, and the wallboard or lathe is supporting the outlet instead of a stud. Try the same procedure at another outlet on the same wall.
Step 9
Probing at a light switch, since they are generally at doorways, will not provide an accurate indication of where additional studs may be - as mentioned above. Of course, if a location above a switch is needed, the switch box should be probed similarly to the outlet box procedure to determine which side of the box the stud is located.
Step 10
Project the stud closest to the desired location for the support of the shelf, picture, etc. Using the measurement multiple determined above, find the stud 16, 32, 48 etc., or in the case of 24 inch centers, 24, 48, 72 etc. inches away from the closest stud found - along the baseboard molding. Lightly mark this spot on the baseboard with a pencil. With a specific area to look for evidence of a stud, carefully look again for dimples and / or bumps in the wall, or filler in the baseboard.
Step 11
If no evidence found, carefully probe directly above the baseboard where is meets the wallboard. When voids are found, move left or right about 1/4" or less and probe again. Continue to probe until the probe finds the stud.
Step 12
Once found, continue to probe to determine the leading and trailing edge of the stud. The stud should be approximately 1 - 1/2" thick. Ideally, any screw or fastener to be secured to the stud should be located in the center of the stud for maximum holding power.
Step 13
Project the center of the stud vertically to the height desired. Probe this location straight in and if obstructed, probe thru the same point at a 45 degree angle to the left and then right. Push hard when probing at the angle. This is to help ensure that the location is not at the edge of the stud.
Step 14
Once satisfied, install the support fastener. Patch any plaster and replace any wall plates.
Tips
- Buy an electronic stud finder from a hardware or home improvement store. They're inexpensive ($15 - $30) and very accurate.
Warnings
- Shut off power to outlets and switches in the room before removing wall plates.
