If you hate using screws and anchors to hang up stuff, then you are going to like this. A while back my Dad told me about these little doohickey’s when I needed help hanging some mirrors. And I’ve been in love with them ever since.
These are called gorilla hooks or monkey hooks, I’ve seen both names. And they are great because all you have to do is stick that one end into the wall and it latches on to something on the inside of the sheetrock (I’m not 100% positive what it does inside the wall), and then you just hang your item! It seriously is the easiest thing ever. Of course if you have a stud, you won’t need this. If you are dealing with just the drywall though, these are perfect and you don’t hammer anything in. It just sticks right in the wall, like magic.
I use them mostly for heavy items like mirrors and large pieces of artwork. Usually both of those come with the D-rings, and these hooks are great for the items that need to be hung on D-rings.
There isn’t much to show or demonstrate here, but I will show you the mirror we used these on.
Yes, the one in the entryway. Are you sick of seeing it yet? :)
Okay, so then you just stick the hook in the wall and it will look like this.
Exciting picture I know. This was an old hole that I needed to patch up, but I just stuck it in here to show you all.
And then you hang your item. This is how far my mirror sticks out from the wall.
So it’s not completely flush, but it doesn’t stick out much at all. Not a big deal at all and definitely worth it.
I got mine at Home Depot and a pack of 4 is about $2-$3. So no it’s not the cheapest, but remember you won’t be using these for every single thing in your home. I will say that my husband hung this mirror up in just about 2 minutes versus the 30-45 minutes it would have taken him with screws and anchors, so the extra money is worth it. :) The ones I got hold up to 35lbs, but they come in heavier sizes as well.
So do you have any tricks for hanging things up? Have you ever used the gorilla/monkey hooks? Do you hate using screws and anchors? I do, especially the cheapo ones. Tell us your secrets!
Sharing this post at Sarah’s Before and After party.
xxoo,
Decorchick!
i literally just sent this to the boyfriend. i would imagine he knows about this, but we’ve never used it. this wouldn’t work on the shelving we just hung in the kitchen, but i’m sure it would be helpful somewhere else. thanks for this!
OMG… you are my hero! A friend of mine gave me one of those a few months ago and I am obsessed with it. She didn’t know what it was called someone had given her some. I am super obsessed with it too. They work so well. I have been trying to figure out where to get more but I had no idea what they were called. Now I know! I will be investing in many many more!
I found them at Hobby Lobby
What is the brand name on the label ? I can’t read it through the words you typed on the pic.
Yes, it’s Side Winder…sold at Home Depot.
Thanks!
Looks like the brand is SideWinder. Googled it, have them at Home Depot.
They sell them at Bed Bath and Beyond for $9.99 for a pack of 20 I think. And if you use a 20% coupon, it’s even cheaper! I use them all over my house to hang big clocks, artwork and mirrors. I even have a wrought iron scrollie thing hanging from 2 of them and it’s pretty heavy. I love them!!
Awesome thanks for the tip Cindy!!
you can get them at the Dollar Tree! Love them :)
Oh wow that’s SO good to know! Thanks Melissa!!
I have seen commercials for these in the past and forgot all about them. Thanks for reminding me! I’ll have to try this. And LOVE the mirror!
-Erin Spain
DIYOntheCheap.com
I was always sort of curious if those actually worked? Thanks for sharing!!
These things are awesome. I’ve used them many times and I love that they only make a small hole (no anchors) and hold so much weight. Too bad I can’t use them in my new house…old plaster walls.
These are GREAT !!! I bought these a few years back when I saw them advertised on TV. I ordered two packages and still haven’t used them all. I haven’t hung anything really, really heavy, but for most framed art work, mirrors, clocks, wreaths, etc. they are wonderful. And, I don’t feel bad about making this tiny little hole in the wall. I highly recommend them too!
I’m so glad you told us about these- I would have been a little nervous about trying them without any recommendation. Thanks for the info!
I’ve got a couple of these and they are great! I will admit one of them came easily out of the wall and the other one will need a stronger grip than mine….but I still love them!
I’ve been using these for a few years now. Got my first set from QVC, long before they were everywhere.
What a great tip, I love the visual. I will remember this for drywall. My mom hated to put wholes in the walls, so she would recycle dull sewing machine needles, by snapping the eye of the needle off with wire cutters, which would leave a nice firm place to hammer on. This works for lighter items, although you’d be surprised how much weight it can hold. Please don’t confuse sewing machine needles with hand sewing needles.:_) It’s a great way to make an almost non-visible whole when you take down or more the needle. Just pull out with needle nosed pliers.
Ok, where have I been? I have never, ever heard of these! Thanks for sharing, I am for sure going to get some to try. Between blogland, and pinterest, I am so much more informed in my old age LOL
I’ve used these for years to hang very heavy mirrors on apartment walls. They’re about $4 for 6 at the local dollar store. So worth it. They really do hold 50 lbs btw!
Any info on removing them – are they easy to take out and what kind of hole do they leave?
You just pull them out and it leaves a very small hole. It’s very easy.
Wow! I have never heard of these. I’ll have to try them. Btw, I for one will never get tired of looking at that mirror. I love it!!
Word of caution. Buy Gorilla brand, not the cheap knockoffs. The cheap ones don’t curve back enough into the drywall to create a safe anchor.
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I use these everywhere, they are genius and make it so much easier for me to throw things up on walls single handedly!! Had them almost 4 years! Everything stays up securely.
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Thanks for the info. I just bought a beautiful heavy vintage clock at th3 thrift store but had no idea how I was going to anchor it to the drywall.