How to Hang a Medal Hanger on Any Wall (No Stud Needed)
To hang a medal hanger on drywall, mark your two mounting points, drill a small pilot hole at each, tap in a self-drilling or toggle anchor rated above your total load, then drive the screws until the display sits flush. You do not need to find a stud — you need the right anchor.
Here is the full process, plus what to do on plaster, brick, and walls you are not allowed to drill.
Step 1: Work out the weight first
This is the step everyone skips. Weigh the display itself, then add roughly 50–80g (2–3 oz) per medal. A wooden hanger holding twenty race medals can easily reach 3–4 kg (7–9 lb) once it is full.
Then pick anchors rated for at least double that figure. Anchors are cheap; a display that tears out of the wall at 2am is not.
Step 2: Choose the right anchor for your wall
Drywall or plasterboard (most homes)
Self-drilling anchors are the easiest option. They screw straight into the board with a screwdriver, need no separate drill bit, and typically hold 10–25 kg each. For a heavier display, use toggle bolts — a metal wing opens behind the board and spreads the load.
Plaster over lath (older houses)
Plaster is brittle. Always drill a pilot hole first, slowly, so the surface does not crack, then use a toggle. Do not hammer anchors into plaster.
Brick, concrete or tile
Use a masonry bit and plastic wall plugs. Drill into the mortar line where you can — it is softer than brick and much easier to patch later.
Into a stud
If a stud happens to line up with a mounting point, use it. A screw into solid timber outperforms any anchor and needs nothing else.
Step 3: Mark both points level
Hold the display against the wall at the height you want, and mark through both mounting holes with a pencil. Check the two marks with a spirit level or your phone's level app before drilling — a medal rail that is 3mm out of level looks obviously crooked once ribbons hang from it.
Height guide: most people hang medal displays with the rail at eye level, roughly 150–160cm (about 5ft) from the floor. Hang it lower for a child's room so they can reach their own medals.
Step 4: Drill, anchor, mount
- Drill a pilot hole at each mark, sized to your anchor's instructions.
- Insert both anchors until they sit flush with the wall.
- Drive the screws in most of the way, leaving a few millimetres if the display hangs on keyholes.
- Hang the display and check it sits flat against the wall.
- Add the medals last, spreading the heavy ones across the rail rather than clustering them at one end.
Renting? Mount it without drilling
If holes are not an option:
- Heavy-duty mounting tape or adhesive strips — check the rated weight and treat it as a genuine limit, not a suggestion. Best for compact displays with a light medal load.
- Monkey hooks — a thin steel hook that pushes through drywall and leaves a pinhole. Surprisingly strong for the damage they cause.
- Picture rail hooks — if your flat has a picture rail, use it. Zero wall damage.
For adhesive mounting, clean the wall with rubbing alcohol first, press firmly for 30 seconds, and wait an hour before loading any medals. A smaller display is a much safer bet on tape than a full two-rail piece.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mounting on a single point. Always use both fixings, or the display will rotate over time.
- Forgetting the medals weigh more than the hanger. Rate your anchors for the loaded weight.
- Hanging it in a hallway you never use. Put it where you will actually see it.
- Drilling before checking for pipes or cables. Avoid the areas directly above and below sockets and switches.
Caring for a wooden display
Wipe with a soft dry cloth. Keep it out of bathrooms and away from prolonged direct sunlight, which fades stains and engraving over years. Never wash a wooden display with water.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to find a stud?
No. Correctly rated drywall anchors are more than sufficient for a medal display, and give you freedom over placement.
What if my display only came with two screws?
Screws alone are for studs. Buy anchors separately — match them to your wall type and loaded weight.
How far apart should the fixings be?
Use the holes provided in the display. Wider spacing gives better stability against rotation.
Can I move it later?
Yes. Anchor holes patch with a dab of filler and touch-up paint in a few minutes.
Get a display worth hanging properly
Every Torvo medal hanger is laser-cut from layered wood, engraved with your name and sport, and ships with the mounting points already set. Browse running medal hangers, other sports displays, or see how personalization works before you order.
