The first time I used a power drill–to mount a toilet paper holder and matching shelf in my bathroom–I drilled holes too big for the screws. Somehow I didn’t notice this sad fact until I went to pull-test my handiwork and the whole roll came with me. Luckily, some genius invented wall anchors to go with the screws. They’re typically used when drilling into a hollow wall, but they also work great for not-so-genius moves like mine.

Changing a bit, choosing the right bit, these are the little details you would never think about if you’ve never picked up a drill. Why would you? I always thought a hammer and nail were totally sufficient to hang pictures–never mind making sure the nail is in a stud and all the other jazz, but chances are you’ll wind up with a photo on the floor (not unlike my roll of TP).

So, bust out your bit, your drill, and get to hanging those frames you decided look “great and stylish” leaning against your bedroom wall.

What You’ll Need:

Drill
Anchors and screws (come together)
Drill bit that matches your anchors
Hammer
Level
Pencil (not a pen, you want to erase the marks you make)

How to do it:

1. Pick up some dry-wall anchors. The box will tell you what size hole you need to drill (aka what bit you will need for your drill). This is the first step I missed. Most frames can be hung with 7/8 inch screw.
2. Hold the frame on the wall where you want it. The center of the picture should be eye level (unless you are crafting a gallery wall, in which case not all frames can be eye level). Take a level and place it on top of the frame. Tilt the frame until it is level.
3. Make a mark (short, straight line) on the top edge, the top right side and top left side.
4. Turn the frame on its belly and measure from the top edge to the top of the hanging mechanism. Let’s say that’s 1 inch. Measure down 1 inch from the horizontal line you drew one the wall and make a mark.
5. Measure the width of your picture frame (say it’s 10 inches), divide it by two, and measure in (on the wall) half the width of your frame (5 inches) from where you made the left or right side mark. Where the mark in Step #4 and Step #5 intersect is where you will drill your hole. Make an X.
6. Here is a good trick, especially if your hand is not yet steady with a drill. Take your screw and place the point in the center of the X, tap it lightly with the hammer, making a little dimple in the wall. Not a hole.
7. Load your drill bit. Make sure its tight. Put the point of the bit in your dimple. Drill your hole until you feel it push through the other side of the drywall (this will be obvious).
8. Take your anchor, line it up on the hole and hammer it in.
9. Remove the bit from the drill. Load the Phillips-head piece into the drill, put your screw on the end, and drill into the anchor. Make sure you leave a little bit out. You need something to hang the picture on.

That’s it. You’ve just hung a frame and you can rest assured that it won’t come crashing down in the middle of the night.

–Arianna Schioldager