Easy, Fail Proof Way To Hang A Mirror

At the end of this post, please share the home improvement project that stresses you out the most.

If your anything like me, you don't like waiting for someone to help you with a task.  When I ask for help, I have to consider the other persons timing and opinions.  Timing based on their schedule and opinions on how they think I should complete the task.  After many years of dealing with this issue, I've developed solutions for completing certain two person tasks all by myself.

Today, I'd like to share how I am able to determine the proper placement of a large, heavy, odd-shaped mirror all by myself.   

I'll use my most recent project as an example.

I purchased this great mirror (Kristen Arch Mirror from Rugs USA) for my Home Office Dining Room. When it came, I was so excited to get it up on the wall.  It was large, heavy and odd shaped.  I needed to either hang it in the studs or use large dry wall anchors.  Therefore, I wanted to do it right the first time.  

What to do...I wanted it done now, but wanted it done right.

Here is how I tackled the project...

The mirror was delivered in a large cardboard box packed in styrofoam. 

I removed the styrofoam and traced the shape of the mirror on the cardboard box with a sharpie.

  I carefully cut the box into the shape of the mirror.  

I now had a cardboard template to use as a guide.  I was able to hold the light-weight shape up on the wall to determine the proper placement (all by myself).  I could see exactly how it would look before making any holes.

I used a hammer and nail to tap an indentation into the drywall (right through the cardboard) to mark the placement of the hangers (always follow the manufacturers instructions on how to hang or mount large objects.  Every product is different).

Prior to this solution, I would have to have someone hold up the big heavy mirror and duck so I could stand back and judge the height/placement.  This process almost always resulted in a scuffle of some sort.

You know what I mean, it sounds something like this...
Me: "Can you duck a little more so I can see it better",  Them: "I can't duck any more, I have to put my head somewhere",  Me: "Can you put it up a little higher",  Them: "I can't, my arms are only so long", Me: "Can you move it over to the right a little",  Them: "Can you hurry up and decide already, it's flipping heavy".

The cardboard trick allowed me to do the judging easily, all by myself.  This mirror is  heavy.  After determining the placement by myself, my sister helped me lift the mirror for the actual hanging.  A good title for this post would have been, "How to hurry up and hang a brand new mirror all by yourself before your husband gets home and vetoes it".   

That was just,  wrong.

How about, "How to hang a brand new mirror all by yourself to surprise your husband when he gets home"?  Yes, much better.  

What decor projects stress you out the most?
Or better yet, what solutions do you have for avoiding home improvement project scuffles?

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