What are some alternatives to wall anchors? [solved]

An alternative to using a large wall anchor for heavy duty mounting is to always find a wall stud for whatever item you are hanging on the wall. Then you can use a smaller gauge screw (or nail) without any type of anchor required. This will leave a smaller hole in the drywall and give you all the strength you need, but limit you to the places where you can position the item.

I am not sure what the weight of the item is that you are looking to hang on the wall but another alternative could be to just use drywall screws without any wall anchor. In my house I do this a lot with light pictures, etc. A drywall screw positioned at a slight downward angle has a good amount of holding power especially if it is something that is not going to get a lot of use but just sit there (I do not recommend just a drywall screw for something like a coat hook).

And then you can always use picture hangers like this that would only make a small nail hole:

Or even those sticky Picture Hanging Strips like this:

I suggest you try some OOK Hangers. They are easy to install, don't make large holes, and hold a surprising amount of weight.

I don't have any first-hand experience with these, but they've always looked interesting to me.

Monkey hooks/Gorilla hooks "As seen on TV"

• Use a hole saw to cut out the area you’re screwing into.
• Screw a plank of wood slightly narrower but longer than the hole into the back side with drywall screws on both sides of the hole.
• Cut a circle from spare drywall with the same holesaw and fill the hole.
• Spackle, texture & paint.
• Add regular wood screws to mount objects such as towel hanging bars.

You Will NEVER use a different drywall anchor again after you see these!