We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more›
Harry Sawyers has written and edited articles on tools and home improvement since 2005. Cattle Mesh Panels
Here are the tools and hardware you need to suspend anything from your wall or ceiling, from art to pot racks to floating shelves.
For a shelf, a curtain rod, or an antique mirror, here’s how to find the best spot on the wall and securely sink an anchor into it.
For making accurate pilot holes for your anchors and driving them into place, there’s no substitute for a go-anywhere cordless drill/driver.
The DeWalt is the most comfortable drill we’ve ever held, and it’s loaded with convenience features. It has enough strength and stamina to easily handle common home jobs.
The DeWalt is the most comfortable drill we’ve ever held, and it’s loaded with convenience features. It has enough strength and stamina to easily handle common home jobs.
The Bosch has similar power but is clunkier to hold, and the little touches, such as the LED, aren’t as nice as the DeWalt’s.
The Bosch has similar power but is clunkier to hold, and the little touches, such as the LED, aren’t as nice as the DeWalt’s.
Whatever the size of the anchor or the material of the wall you’re mounting into, a good kit of drilling and driving accessories will set your drill up to do solid work.
With a great balance of the essentials and a durable case that’s easier than most to use, this is the best all-purpose set.
With a great balance of the essentials and a durable case that’s easier than most to use, this is the best all-purpose set.
A smaller version of our main pick, this set has all the same essentials but in smaller quantities. However, it is missing a few accessories.
A smaller version of our main pick, this set has all the same essentials but in smaller quantities. However, it is missing a few accessories.
Mounting to a stud, the vertical two-by-four framing that’s 16 inches apart behind most fields of wall, ensures a rock-solid connection—but you need this tool to find studs first.
Equipped with with two magnets, the C.H. Hanson is a basic, durable model that scans twice as fast as the rest.
Equipped with with two magnets, the C.H. Hanson is a basic, durable model that scans twice as fast as the rest.
The most accurate electronic stud finder we tested scans the wall in 13 places to display the entire width of a stud, and unlike the competition, does not require a fussy calibration process.
The most accurate electronic stud finder we tested scans the wall in 13 places to display the entire width of a stud, and unlike the competition, does not require a fussy calibration process.
Centering, spacing, marking, and planning anything you’re trying to hang up gets a lot easier with the aid of a good tape measure.
The PowerLock is easy to use, durable, affordable, accurate, and capable of doing its job without additional features that aren’t necessary for around-the-house work.
The PowerLock is easy to use, durable, affordable, accurate, and capable of doing its job without additional features that aren’t necessary for around-the-house work.
With a wider tape, a longer standout, and tougher parts than our pick offers, the FatMax balances rugged performance with a body that’s (just barely) not too big to be manageable.
With a wider tape, a longer standout, and tougher parts than our pick offers, the FatMax balances rugged performance with a body that’s (just barely) not too big to be manageable.
When you’re hanging things, especially in drywall, the delicate touch you can get with a hand screwdriver can be a nice counter to your drill/driver’s strength and speed.
This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle to be the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.
This manual screwdriver combines smooth ratcheting action with excellent bit storage and a uniquely comfortable handle to be the most well-rounded, capable tool of its kind.
Other than the color, this is the same tool as the MegaPro. Get whichever costs less.
Other than the color, this is the same tool as the MegaPro. Get whichever costs less.
You can’t mount every screw to a stud, and some lightweight objects don’t require that much support anyway. When a weaker connection to the drywall is okay, you still need the most secure anchors you can get, like these time-tested standby designs.
These classic anchors’ metal legs splay open behind the wall and add tension as the screw tightens, giving you a connection basically as strong as the drywall itself. Available in several sizes; 3/16 by 2 inches is common.
These classic anchors’ metal legs splay open behind the wall and add tension as the screw tightens, giving you a connection basically as strong as the drywall itself. Available in several sizes; 3/16 by 2 inches is common.
Far better than the flimsy sleeves most shelves include, these light-duty sleeves are perfect for things such as thermostats or smoke detectors. We’ve used this Everbilt multi-pack—they’re as solid as they come, and it’s a great deal.
Far better than the flimsy sleeves most shelves include, these light-duty sleeves are perfect for things such as thermostats or smoke detectors. We’ve used this Everbilt multi-pack—they’re as solid as they come, and it’s a great deal.
This newer, pricier design has the strength of a toggle bolt, but you can drive the screw after you position the anchor portion, so planning and mounting are easier.
This newer, pricier design has the strength of a toggle bolt, but you can drive the screw after you position the anchor portion, so planning and mounting are easier.
A standard wood screw works for mounting into studs (or plain ol’ wood). Even on something this basic, it pays to know what you’re looking for—these two brands are a cut above whatever you’d find loose in the hardware bin.
The popular, ubiquitous Grip-Rite screws come in whatever length and finish your project needs. This 2-inch size with the unthreaded upper portion of the shank is just right for sinking into a stud behind drywall.
The popular, ubiquitous Grip-Rite screws come in whatever length and finish your project needs. This 2-inch size with the unthreaded upper portion of the shank is just right for sinking into a stud behind drywall.
Spax screws drive more easily, break less often, and work in more materials than typical screws, and they’re nearly as affordable.
Spax screws drive more easily, break less often, and work in more materials than typical screws, and they’re nearly as affordable.
A well-made picture hanger drives easily, grips the frame hardware securely, and holds more than you might expect. Use the kind of wire you’d find in an art gallery—it’s affordable, and it’s more secure and stable than any second-string string.
Floreats remain strong whether nailed to a stud or driven into drywall, and their slim, strong nails are easy to drive and leave a very small hole.
Floreats remain strong whether nailed to a stud or driven into drywall, and their slim, strong nails are easy to drive and leave a very small hole.
This plastic-coated picture-hanging wire is easy on the fingers and grips well to a hanger or itself (when you’re securing each end on the frame). Once you’ve leveled a frame, the wire’s tacky grip on the hanger keeps it steady.
This plastic-coated picture-hanging wire is easy on the fingers and grips well to a hanger or itself (when you’re securing each end on the frame). Once you’ve leveled a frame, the wire’s tacky grip on the hanger keeps it steady.
You can get by without many of these items, but having them makes hanging things a lot easier.
With all these modern gizmos nowadays, there are honestly not enough jobs around the house that call for banging something with a hammer—but hanging up a picture is still one of them.
The Estwing has an indestructible steel design, perfect balance, a great grip, and a stellar reputation: Plenty of carpenters agree it’ll last a lifetime.
The Estwing has an indestructible steel design, perfect balance, a great grip, and a stellar reputation: Plenty of carpenters agree it’ll last a lifetime.
A smaller version of our pick, the E3-12C is just as durable and well-balanced. It’s great if you need something easier to swing or you want a more delicate touch for hanging photos or assembling furniture.
A smaller version of our pick, the E3-12C is just as durable and well-balanced. It’s great if you need something easier to swing or you want a more delicate touch for hanging photos or assembling furniture.
This generic set has what you need to hang up the basics—pliers to pull out a misplaced picture hanger, hex wrenches to tighten a towel bar’s set screw—and other light-duty tools to help you get by until you’re ready to invest in something better.
The Anvil has all the essentials in a small package at a great price, making it the best choice for common home repairs and upgrades.
The Anvil has all the essentials in a small package at a great price, making it the best choice for common home repairs and upgrades.
One of the biggest challenges of hanging something well is reaching over your head to do it. You don’t need a big ladder for this job—but a dedicated stool beats standing on a chair.
The Gorilla EasyReach is light enough to carry around with painting supplies and has a great little tool tray, but it feels sturdy enough to stand on and clicks securely in place.
The Gorilla EasyReach is light enough to carry around with painting supplies and has a great little tool tray, but it feels sturdy enough to stand on and clicks securely in place.
If you have a lot of shelves to mount or you just really want to ensure your pictures are perfectly plumb, a decent torpedo level is far more accurate than the inexpensive versions you find in most basic toolkits.
This classic aluminum tool from Stabila won’t twist, deform, or let its vials shift out of position, as some cheaper levels can. It lacks magnets, which some craftspeople prefer.
This classic aluminum tool from Stabila won’t twist, deform, or let its vials shift out of position, as some cheaper levels can. It lacks magnets, which some craftspeople prefer.
It costs a lot more than most tools like it, but the aluminum body, removable magnet, and shaded vials for increased visibility make the Sola MM 5 25 the best pick for the aggressive DIYer.
It costs a lot more than most tools like it, but the aluminum body, removable magnet, and shaded vials for increased visibility make the Sola MM 5 25 the best pick for the aggressive DIYer.
For mounting into masonry, you need the carbide-tipped drill bit that our bit set includes, and a drill with a hammer function will speed the work along significantly.
Available in multiple sizes, Tapcon anchors are easily the first thing we’d recommend for anyone mounting an item in brick or concrete.
Available in multiple sizes, Tapcon anchors are easily the first thing we’d recommend for anyone mounting an item in brick or concrete.
Hanging stuff is like most home projects: You’ll succeed if you use the right tools, don’t overcomplicate it, and don’t go too cheap.
Unless you’re setting tile or hanging cabinets, you probably don’t need the room-filling spectrum of lasers these precision tools can provide.
Good stud finders work because they’re simple—the more feature-rich options, especially the battery-powered tools under about $40, usually lead to frustration.
Basically any of the anchors that come with the furniture or shelf you’ve bought are not worth using. The good stuff is super cheap, more secure, and easier to install.
Local Fence Installers Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).