Walls in a home or even office setting are often under utilized for storage and even decoration. With proper planning and design, plain, boring walls can become a functional and beautiful means for displaying favorite pictures, treasured items and even electronics equipment and more. This frees up floor space and even protects valuables from damage. The way to go, however, is by using smart wall mount systems.

If you've ever watched a perfectionist hang a picture or mount a shelf, you understand that putting up a wall mount really isn't as simple as hammering a nail into a wall, putting the item up and walking away after saying viola! The process, if security and correct placement are desired, is a bit more involved than that.

Whether you want to hang a mirror, put up shelves, mount a television or DVD player or put up a shadow box, protecting your item or items from damage is key. To do this, you will need the following things: stud finder, pencil, measuring tape, level and, of course, the mounting system you plan to use.

Start out by measuring the mounting item you want to place. Whether it's a picture, a shelving system or a specially designed wall mount for placing a television and elevating it above ground level, knowing how much space you will need is important. Pay attention to overall size and measure the points where mounting screws, nails or hooks are supposed to go. Write these down!

Now, proceed to the wall where you intend to mount your pictures, shelves or so on. Find the studs if you're hanging a particularly heavy item. You do not want to place a very heavy object into straight drywall as it will be prone to falling down. This could not only break your item, it could damage your wall. The stud finder will help you locate the places behind the drywall where actual wood is hidden. This is where you'll want to place your nails, if at all possible. Mark the location of the studs.

Measure out on the wall where you'd like to hang your item and make notations on where the nails are supposed to go. Refer back to the measurements you took that pertain to the item. Make sure you have the correct distance between the hook or nail holes and mark these points on the wall in pencil. Now, use that level to make sure your nail points line up. You don't want your shelves or picture to be crooked!

With everything mapped out, it's time to install the hanging mechanism. Whether it's straight nails, brackets, hooks or screws, be certain to follow the blueprint you created for yourself. Double check leveling after you've driven the device in.

Put your wall mount up and check its stability. If possible, don't place heavy objects on a shelving system or hang that heavy mirror until you know for sure your hanging mechanism is safe and secure. There's nothing worse than finding out the hard way you've hung something wrong. A little precaution could save you from having to replace that mirror, or worse, losing a precious family heirloom in a shelf crash.

Wall mounts are wonderful for storage and for decorative purposes. The key to making them work is to take time during the hanging process.