You’d like to mount a
shelf on the wall, centered over the dresser, but the studs are in the wrong
place. So you head to the hardware store to find some kind of drywall anchor
for the job, only to discover a dozen types, from plastic plugs to metal
toggles. Which one do you choose?
In this article, we’ll show you our favorites. Others will work too, but we’ve chosen five hollow wall anchors that cover a range of weight requirements from lightweight knickknack shelves all the way up to heavy-duty utility shelf brackets. Of course, it’s always best to anchor into solid wood if you can, but for those situations where it just isn’t possible, these five anchors will provide superior holding power with the least amount of hassle.
Pictures and Mirrors
Click image to enlarge.
You can buy special plastic anchors for hanging heavy mirrors and pictures, but you’ll be left with a sizable hole to repair if you decide to relocate the object. The best choice is to do what the pros do. Choose a picture hanger based on the weight of the picture or mirror. The triple nail version we show here holds up to 100 lbs., more than enough for even the heaviest mirrors. But if you’re worried, just use a pair of them spaced about a foot apart for an extra margin of safety. Using picture hangers in pairs like this also prevents the picture or mirror from tipping if it slides on the hanging wire. You’ll find this type of hanger in most full-service hardware stores and home centers or at picture framing shops. They range in price from about 29¢ to $2 for the triple nail version shown here (the OOK 100-lb. picture hanger; see the Buyer’s Guide).
1 Slide the small nails (included) through the angled hole and tap them into the wall with a hammer. To remove the hanger, grab the end of the nail with a pliers and twist it out.
