How to Fill a Hole in a Wall: The Simple, Durable Method

After removing a shelf or a piece of furniture, you are left with unsightly wall plug holes in the wall. Good news: filling them is a simple job that needs little material and gives an invisible result if you follow a few steps.

The materials you need

• Some filler (or a smoothing compound for the finishes)
• A spatula (filling knife) of 8 to 15 cm
• A fine abrasive paper (grit 120 then 240)
• A small sponge or a cloth
• Paint matching the wall for the finish

Step 1: preparing the hole

Completely remove the wall plug and the debris. Brush or vacuum the inside of the hole so it is clean and dry. A clean hole means filler that adheres. If the hole is deep (more than 2 cm), push a little paper into it or use a filling compound to fill the bulk before the finish.

Step 2: applying the filler

Take a little filler with the spatula and push it firmly into the hole, pressing well so it fills the whole space. Then run the spatula flat to smooth the surface level with the wall. Do not aim for perfection first time: a slight excess is better than a hollow, because you will sand afterwards.

Step 3: letting it dry

Respect the drying time stated on the filler tub (generally 1 to 4 hours depending on the thickness). Filler that is not dry enough sands badly and smears. For deep holes, apply the filler in two coats: a first filling coat, then a finishing coat.

Step 4: sanding

Once dry, sand with grit 120 paper then finish with grit 240 for a perfectly smooth surface. Wipe off the dust with a damp cloth. If a hollow has appeared, put a thin coat of filler back on and repeat the drying and sanding.

Step 5: the finish

The repaired area will not have exactly the same shade as the original wall. Apply a small touch of matching paint over the repaired area. For a wall painted with the original paint, carefully keep a small reserve of paint after every redecoration — it is the best way to have a perfect touch-up.

When to use a special product?

For fine cracks or surface flaws, a fine smoothing compound is enough. For deep holes or damaged surfaces, prefer a thicker filling compound. In a bathroom or outdoors, choose a water-resistant filler to avoid mould.