If possible it is best to always try and fix to one.
How to hang shelves on plaster walls.
Determine the height.
Hanging things on plaster walls is easy if you have a drill and screws.
Drill a pilot hole.
Use a stud finder to locate the studs within the walls.
Fixing to plasterboard walls how to use plasterboard fixings.
Determine where you want your shelves and how wide they will be.
Buy snaptoggles here http fave co 1ozdquh this video shows how to fix a shelf to a plasterboard wall.
Place a carpenters level alongside the bracket.
How to hang on plaster walls with a picture hanging system.
Place one of the brackets against the wall at the first shelf location.
Make sure you leave half an inch out of the wall so you have space to hang your artwork.
For lighter items simply screwing into the plaster with a 1 1 4 drywall screw is usually enough to get the job done.
All you need to do is pre drill a hole slightly narrower than your screws then use the drill to drive a screw into the hole.
Screws and screws with masonry anchors for heavy items are your best choice for hanging things on plaster walls without picture rail.
This system works by simply installing a rail along the wall and pictures then hang from cables attached to the rail and are fastened with hooks.
Plaster walls have a tendency to crack and crumble if you attempt to hammer a nail directly into the wall.
Fixing to plasterboard walls and how to use plasterboard fixings.
How to hang shelves on plaster walls step 1.
Advice on screwing into plasterboard with special fixings like the redidrive nylon toggle hollow wall anchor or the butterfly fixing to put up a shelf mirror or picture.
Adhesive picture hooks are the best way to prevent damage when hanging a picture but pre drilling the hole will usually prevent cracks and chips from forming as well.
Plaster walls with available studs locate the vertical studs in the wall where the shelving will be located by sliding an electronic stud sensor over that.