Use a ball as a level for hanging pictures straight

Forget the level, use a ball

If you don't have a level, a small ball can serve as a makeshift one. Place a ping pong ball or marble on top of the frame and adjust until it sits perfectly still.

Mark that spot on the wall. This ensures your picture won't be a crooked eyesore, which is especially crucial when hanging multiple pieces in a group.

Mark nail spots with painter's tape

Frames with two widely spaced hooks present a measurement challenge. Solve it with painter's tape.

Place a strip across the back of the frame, lining up the top with the hooks. Mark the hook positions on the tape, then transfer the tape to the wall. Use a level to adjust, then drive nails through your marks.

Or, mark spots with toothpaste

An alternative to tape is using a gooey, washable substance like toothpaste. Dab a small amount on the back of the frame's hooks.

Press the frame against the wall at your desired height. The toothpaste will leave a mark showing exactly where to place your nails.

Build a simple cardboard tool

You can create a precise marking tool with spare cardboard and a pin. Cut a rectangle from a cereal box and create a narrow tab at the bottom.

Slide the tab through the hook on the frame's back and push a pin through from behind. Press the picture against the wall; the pin will leave a tiny pilot hole for your fastener.

Guide the hook with string

Getting a frame's hook onto a wall nail can be frustrating. A piece of string eliminates the guesswork.

Loop the string around the nail so the ends are even. Thread both ends through the frame's hook, pull tight, and let the string guide the hook directly onto the nail as you bring the frame to the wall.

Guide a wire with a fork

For frames that use a wire, catching it on a wall hook is notoriously tricky. A simple fork from your kitchen drawer can help.

Place the fork on the wall hook so it leans outward. Hook the picture wire onto the fork's stem and slide the frame down. The fork guides the wire onto the hook.

Try tool-free Monkey Hooks

If you want to avoid drills and nails entirely, consider Monkey Hooks. These are self-drilling wire hooks you push through drywall by hand.

They spin inside the wall to create a secure hold. A set of 30 is $15.49 at Amazon and each hook can support up to 50 pounds.

• No tools required
• Holds up to 50 lbs per hook
• Minimal wall damage

Use a paper template for a gallery wall

Hanging multiple pictures? Create a template first. Trace each frame onto large paper, like wrapping paper or butcher paper.

Use one of the marking methods above on your paper template. Hang the template on the wall, hammer nails through the marked spots, remove the paper, and hang your frames perfectly aligned.

Catch drilling dust with an envelope

Drilling into drywall creates a mess of fine dust. Tape an envelope to the wall directly below your drilling point to catch the debris.

If you don't have an envelope, a Post-it Note folded in half and stuck to the wall will also work in a pinch.

The fastest mark uses your finger

For a truly last-resort method, use your own saliva. Lick the back of your finger and curl it over the hanging hook on the frame.

Press your finger against the wall at the desired height—typically 57 to 60 inches from the floor. The saliva leaves a faint, temporary mark for your nail.