Hanging that heavy picture or mirror on the wall may seem a daunting task. But if you're willing to take on the challenge, you'll find much of what you need to know right here.

If your walls are made of plaster or drywall, one option is to affix the object to a spot on the wall directly into what's called a stud. According to Family Handyman, studs are boards that are framing elements to support walls. They can also help support the weight of heavy objects

Make sure to check for studs in the walls prior to hanging something. BobVila.com suggests these three strategies for finding a stud:

Knock on the wall. When a stud is behind that spot, the sound will be a more solid thump.
Check for nails along your baseboard. They're typically placed on the stud line.
Use a stud finder, which you can buy at your local hardware store.

Place your item over a stud using a 3-inch wood screw on a plaster wall and a 2½-inch wood screw on drywall, BobVila.com recommends.

Unlike drywall screws, wood screws are not threaded all the way to the top, so they are a better option for drilling into wood, according to Family Handyman. You'll need to use your drill with a multipurpose drill bit to create a pilot hole that will allow you to insert a screw or nail. Then use the drill to affix the wood screw.