For maximum cool factor and a super clean look for your entertainment center, mounting your flat-panel TV is the way to go. Here’s how to hang that flat-screen TV up on the wall.
How to mount your TV
Can you mount a TV by yourself?
If you are a proficient DIYer and are good with just a few tools, you can easily mount your TV yourself. Here are a few of the things you’ll need:
What you need to mount your TV
Before you get started on your TV mount installation, here are a few things you should have on hand:
- Stud finder: Unless you want a TV disaster, don’t mount your TV to drywall—make sure you’re mounting to a stud for maximum support. Otherwise you could end up with an expensive mess on your hands.
- Power drill: You can try to mount the TV with a screwdriver, but you might be at it a while. We highly recommend using a power drill to speed things up for this project.
- Various drill bits:
- Carbide-tipped masonry bit: Use this to make pilot holes in the drywall, which you’ll drill your mounting screws into.
- Phillips head drill bit: Use this to drive the mounting screws.
- Level: Don’t trust your eyes with this one—no one wants to watch crooked TV. Use a level to make sure your newly mounted TV is, well, level. This can help you avoid both a crooked TV and unnecessary holes in your wall.
- TV mount: Obviously, to mount your TV to your wall, you need a TV mount rated for your model of TV. Check your TV manual for the VESA mount measurements and get a TV mount to match. And if you need help picking a mount, we’ve got you covered! Check out our roundup of the best TV mounts right here.
- Painters tape (optional): When you find your wall studs, mark them with a little piece of painters tape. This is much easier to see than a pencil mark, and you don’t have to write on your wall—that’s always a bonus in our book.
- A friend (optional): TVs are big, heavy, and awkward to lift. Unless you’re way more coordinated than we are, trying to hold one steady and line up brackets is a recipe for disaster. Grab a friend for best results.
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How to wall mount your TV
If you have everything you need already, great! Let’s get started on the best way to mount your TV on the wall.
1. Decide where you want to position the TV
Viewing angles are often important for achieving the best picture quality, so consider your location carefully. Moving the TV after the fact is not only extra work, but it also leaves useless holes in your wall. If you have a fireplace, above it is a popular spot for TV mounting since it’s generally a focal point of the room.
2. Locate the wall studs using a stud finder
Move your stud finder across the wall until it indicates it has found a stud. When it does, mark it with some painters tape so you remember the position.
3. Mark and drill your pilot holes
These are the small holes that will allow your mounting screws to enter the wall. You probably want a partner for this.
- Hold the mount up to the wall. Use a level to make sure it’s straight.
- Using a pencil, make light marks where you need to drill the holes to attach it to the wall.
- Attach a masonry bit to your drill and drill holes where you marked.
4. Attach the mounting bracket to the wall
Hold your mount to the wall and drill the mounting screws into the pilot holes you made in the previous step.
5. Attach the mounting plate to the TV
- First, remove the stand from the TV if you haven’t already done so.
- Locate the mounting plate attachment holes on the back of the TV. These are sometimes covered with plastic or have screws already in them. If so, remove them.
- Attach the plate to the back of the TV with the included hardware.
6. Mount your TV to the wall
This is the final step! Grab your partner again, as this can be tricky to do alone.
Lift the TV carefully—with your legs, not your back! We don’t want any injuries ruining the fun here.
Line the mounting arm or plate on the TV up with the bracket on the wall and connect them following the manufacturer’s instructions. This can vary from one mount to the next, so always read the instructions.
7. Enjoy your newly mounted TV!
And that’s it! Kick back, relax, and enjoy living the high life with a wall-mounted TV.
How to wall mount a TV FAQ
How do you mount a TV on the wall without wires showing?
You can purchase a TV cable cover kit to hide your cables inside a plastic tube attached to the wall. You can also purchase cable access plates that let you route cables behind your wall.
How much does it cost to hang your TV on the wall?
TV mounting kits are relatively inexpensive, and it’s easy to find models for less than $100. But if you want to find a contractor to mount your TV, it costs more.
Should I hang my TV on the wall?
Hanging a TV on your wall can be a good idea if you want to avoid buying a TV stand or increase the viewing distance in your living room.
Does mounting a TV damage the wall?
You have to drill a hole into your wall to install a TV mount, so your wall will need to be patched whenever you remove the mount. But if you mount your TV directly into drywall without using a stud, it may cause serious damage to your wall.
The best way to install a TV mount is to attach it to a wall stud. This way, you have a solid backing for your TV, which can weigh up to 90 pounds depending on its size.
Mike Strayer, PhD, has written and edited TV, internet, and tech content across the interwebs for over eight years. As Managing Editor of CableTV.com, he nerds out dissecting labyrinthian channel lineups and sifting through massive on-demand libraries. Off the clock, catch him on his couch deep in The Twilight Zone or wandering Westworld.
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