Sooner or later, every homeowner needs to repair drywall. Learn how to patch a small hole with this easy tutorial.
Holes in walls happen. Maybe you were moving furniture, hanging a new piece of art, or refereeing a little-too-rowdy game of indoor basketball. Either way, a hole in your drywall doesn't mean you need to call a pro or live with the damage. Patching drywall can look intimidating, but trust me, it's totally doable, even if you're new to DIY.
I'll be honest, it's one of my least favorite home repairs, so for years I left holes in my walls far too long! This year I'm on a mission to make fixing small wall holes a little less overwhelming. Let me share my best tips and tools with you!
This guide walks you through everything you need to patch a drywall hole, whether it's a tiny nail hole or a bigger gash than you'd like. With a few tools, a little patience and these step-by-step instructions, your walls will look good as new in no time!
What You'll Need to Patch Small Holes in Drywall
Before you roll up your sleeves, gather your materials. Most of these are easy to find at your local hardware store.
For small holes (under ½ inch):
- Spackle or lightweight joint compound (or THIS all-in-one tool I use!)
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper (medium and fine grit)
- Touch-up paint and a paintbrush (I use these paint pens for quick, easy touch-ups!)
For medium holes (½–6 inches):
- Self-adhesive mesh patch
- Spackling compound (the all-in-one tool includes a putty knife)
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper
- Or, grab this drywall repair kit, which includes spackling, a putty knife and sandpaper for holes up to 3″ wide. (Here's a larger hole drywall repair kit if your hole is between 3-5″.)
- Paint and a paintbrush
For large holes (over 6 inches):
- A drywall patch or a piece of drywall
- Utility knife
- Drywall saw
- Spackling compound
- Mesh drywall tape (optional)
- Putty knife
- Sandpaper
- Paint supplies
Patching a Small Hole in Drywall
This method is for small nail or screw holes under ½ inch in diameter. They're very simple to fix, and I have two favorite tools that make the job much quicker and easier!
1. Assess the Area
Sand away any raised edges with sandpaper.
2. Fill the Hole with Spackling
Using spackle and a putty knife, or this all-in-one tool I love, fill the hole with spackling putty.
Scrape off the excess with the putty knife. Leave it slightly proud of the wall so it doesn't sink into the hole as it dries.
3. Once Dry, Sand It Down
Once the spackle is dry, use fine-grit sandpaper to make the patch flush with the wall. Wipe away any dust.
4. Paint Over the Area
Paint over the area with a brush or a refillable paint pen, like this one. I love keeping these paint pens on hand for quick, easy touch-ups!
Let it dry, and the wall should look good as new!
Patching a Medium Hole in Drywall (½–6 inches)
When it came time to fix the hole in my drywall, caused by a toilet paper holder I had installed poorly (my fault!), I expected to cut new drywall and do a major repair.
While I was buying spackling compound, I spotted this drywall repair kit. I was intrigued, took a closer look, and realized it was just what I needed! The hole was about 2.5 inches across, so this patch was perfect.
Of course, I knew I couldn't just slap some compound on it like a nail hole. A hole this size needs a mesh screen for structure and support. It's the perfect solution for covering a medium hole and keeping the compound from falling inside.
Small Hole Repair – Video
You can watch the video below or follow the simple steps I've laid out for you. (Apologies for the photo quality in this post, as most of these are screenshots from the video. For some reason, I never remember to take videos AND photos. Ha!)
The latest on YouTube:
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1. Sand the area until it's clean and free of debris.
Knock off any loose drywall around the hole's edge to create a flat working surface. If the wall has wallpaper, remove it from around the area.
2. Wipe the area down so it's completely dust-free.
3. Cut the Mesh Screen to Size and Install
If I were doing this again, I'd trim my mesh screen closer to the size of the hole first, so do that if you need to.
Peel the backing off the adhesive mesh patch and press it firmly over the drywall hole.
4. Add Spackling Compound to the Adhesive Mesh
Spread a thin layer of spackling compound over the patch, extending about an inch past its edge. It won't look pretty yet, but we'll repeat this a few times to make it look nice!
Let it dry for 2–3 hours.
5. Sand the spackling compound until smooth.
6. Repeat steps 4 and 5 until the area is smooth and you can no longer see the mesh patch.
I needed two thin layers to get mine looking smooth. Be sure to really smooth the edges of the spackling so they sit flush with the wall.
7. Now you're ready to paint!
Paint the wall with a good-quality paintbrush, like this one!
Patching a Large Hole in Drywall (over 6 inches)
When we moved from our previous home, I had to fix a big hole in the garage where our deep freezer got shoved into the wall by the car. Oops!
It was far too big for any patch, so I grabbed a piece of drywall and cut it to fit the opening. Let's walk through the steps.
1. Assess the Damage
Start by checking the size and shape of the hole. If it's wider than 6 inches, you'll need to install a new piece of drywall rather than using a standard mesh patch and spackle.
Pro Tip: If the drywall edges around the hole are frayed or uneven, trim them back with your utility knife for a clean work surface. Trust me, smooth edges make all the difference!
2. Prepare the Hole
Use a stud finder to locate your studs. It helps if you can expose a stud or two so you can attach your new piece of drywall to them.
If needed, use your drywall saw to widen the hole into a square or rectangle. Clean edges are easier to work with than irregular shapes.
If the hole reveals a stud behind the wall, great! You'll anchor your patch directly to it. If not, you'll need to install a support, more on that next.
As you can see in the photo above, I used drywall screws to fasten the existing drywall to the studs so it stays well attached.
3. Measure and Cut the Drywall Patch
Use the damaged piece as a template: lay it on the new drywall board, trace around it, and cut out the exact size with a drywall saw or reciprocating saw.
Or, if you don't have the removed piece, measure the hole and use those dimensions to cut a new piece from your drywall sheet. Aim for a snug fit, but if you're slightly off, don't worry, you can smooth it out later.
4. Install a Support (If Needed)
For holes larger than 6 inches without nearby studs, create a support by anchoring a small wooden board (a scrap 1×2 works well) behind the hole. Slide the support through the opening, then secure it in place with drywall screws using your drill. This gives your patch something solid to hold onto.
5. Secure the Drywall Patch
Set your drywall patch into the hole and fasten it with screws into the studs or the support you just added. Drive the screws until they sit just below the surface. Don't overdo it!
6. Tape and Apply Joint Compound
Now let's make everything smooth! Cover the seams around the patch with mesh or paper tape, then use your drywall knife to spread a layer of joint compound over the tape and screws.
Helpful Hint: Feather the edges of the joint compound outward to blend it into the wall. This helps the patch “disappear” once painted. Apply thin layers, since piling on too much compound can create bumps.
Personal Note: I didn't use mesh tape on the seams, but if I were doing this on an interior wall, I would have!
7. Sand It Smooth
Once the joint compound dries (check the product instructions for timing), sand it down with medium-grit sandpaper to remove high spots. Follow up with fine-grit sandpaper for a smooth finish. Remember to wear a dust mask, since sanding throws off a lot of fine dust!
Run your hand over the sanded area to check for imperfections. If you feel any bumps or dips, apply a second layer of joint compound, let it dry and sand again.
8. Prime and Paint
You're almost there! Apply a coat of primer over the patch to seal the surface so the paint adheres properly. Once the primer dries, paint the area to match your wall. Use the same technique and finish as the surrounding wall for a flawless look.
Personal Note: My favorite moment is standing back to admire the finished result once it dries. It's like a brand-new wall! The satisfaction of completing a simple task is truly good!
Final Thoughts
If you enjoyed this post or think it might help you later, save it to Pinterest or share it with a friend! And leave a comment below if you have extra tips or tricks. We'd love to learn from each other!
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