Before you hang anything, it helps to know what you're hanging it on. The same hook that holds a coat on a brick wall can rip out of plasterboard if you skip the right fixing. Here's a plain-English guide to what walls can carry and how to hang safely, especially when you rent.
Plasterboard (drywall)
Most modern interior walls are plasterboard: a thin board with a hollow cavity behind. On its own it holds very little, so weight goes into a proper plasterboard anchor or into the timber studs behind. A good anchor typically carries several kilograms; find a stud and you can hang much more. Never trust a bare screw in plasterboard for anything heavy.
Brick and masonry
Solid brick, block, and concrete are the strongest walls you'll meet. With the right plug and screw they hold heavy loads without complaint. The catch is that drilling masonry is permanent, which most renters can't do, so damage-free methods matter more here.
Tile
Tile is common in kitchens and bathrooms and awkward to drill without cracking. For renters, the safer route is adhesive mounting on the smooth tile face for light items, or skipping the wall with an over-door rack.
The renter's shortcut: don't rely on the wall
You can sidestep the whole question. An over-door rack borrows the door frame's strength, so a Nomad Rack holds around 5 kg of coats regardless of what your wall is made of. A magnetic Dot Hook uses a metal surface instead. And a mounted rail like the Wave Hook Rail holds up to 6 kg once it's anchored correctly. See the no-drill range.
Match the fixing to the load
Light items like a frame or a small shelf suit adhesive strips within their rating. Everyday loads like coats and bags suit an over-door rack or an anchored rail. Heavy or daily-stress loads want a stud or masonry fixing. When in doubt, spread the weight across more hooks.
Frequently asked questions
How much weight can plasterboard hold?
Very little on a bare screw. With a proper plasterboard anchor you can typically hang several kilograms; fixing into the timber stud behind holds much more. For heavy items, always find the stud or use an anchor.
How do I hang things on tile without cracking it?
Avoid drilling if you can. Use adhesive mounting on the smooth tile face for light items, and an over-door rack for anything heavier. Both skip the risk entirely.
What's the safest way to hang things in a rental?
Methods that don't depend on the wall at all: over-door racks, magnetic hooks on metal, and freestanding pieces. They hold reliably and leave no damage.
Keep reading: How to Hang Shelves and Hooks Without Drilling.