How to Mount a TV on a Wall: A Step-By-Step Guide
Mounting a television on a wall is a great way to save space, improve your viewing experience, and give your man cave, living room, or entertainment space a sleek and modern look. And who doesn’t want that!?
Plus, a mounted TV makes the room look bigger versus when you place the TV on a piece of furniture. It may only make a few inches of difference between where the TV would have been on an entertainment center or dresser, but the feel has a ton of impact. If you’re skeptical, try mounting a TV in a bedroom first. You’ll feel like there’s significantly more walking around space, but in fact, there isn’t.
The thought of mounting a TV can be intimidating for many people, especially if you’re not familiar with the process. Here we’ll go over each step in detail so that you can mount your TV on the wall with confidence in only a few minutes. Most people can accomplish this task in less than half an hour.
Even though this is a quick home improvement project, take your time. Fixing mistakes in this process could easily double or triple your time commitment. Drywall repairs take a lot of time to do well. But as long as you follow the principle of measuring twice and cutting once, you’ll be fine.
Now, let’s mount that TV in your man cave!
Step 1: Determine the Proper Location and Height for Your TV
The first step in mounting your TV is to determine the best location and height for your TV. It’s important to consider a few factors when choosing the location and height including your primary viewing area, neck strain, glare from lights or windows, and the placement of other furniture or obstacles in the room.
Ideally, the center of your TV should be at eye level when you’re seated in your primary viewing area. This will help reduce neck strain and provide a comfortable viewing experience. To determine the optimal height, measure the distance from the floor to where you’ll be seated, and then subtract half the height of the TV from that measurement. This will give you the ideal height for the center of the TV.
Many people are tempted to hang the TV at about eye level when standing. But this can make you feel like you’re sitting in the first few rows of a movie theater. Don’t hang your TV where it’ll give you a crick in the neck!
Step 2: Gather the Tools and Supplies You Need
Before you start the mounting process, you’ll need to gather a few tools and supplies. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
Stud finder
Level
Wall-mounted bracket
Screwdriver
Drill
Wall anchors
Screws
It’s important to use the correct screws and wall anchors for your wall type (e.g. drywall, concrete, etc.). Most wall-mounted TV brackets come with a set of screws and wall anchors that are specific to the type of wall you’ll be mounting the TV on. Some even come with multiple sets to accomodate different wall materials.
Step 3: Locate the Studs in Your Wall
The next step is to locate the studs in your wall. Studs are the wooden support beams behind your drywall, and they’re what will support the weight of your TV. To find the studs, you’ll need to use a stud finder. Simply move the stud finder along the wall where you plan to mount the TV, and it will detect the studs behind the drywall. Make a mark on the wall where each stud is located.
To make sure you’re anchoring to the middle of a stud, find and mark both edges. You don’t want to anchor to the edge of a stud and thereby risk the screw from popping out the side. This will compromise your TV’s stability.
In most homes, studs are 16 inches apart. If you have an older home, the studs may be 24 inches apart. So if you find one stud, finding the ones to either side is much easier.
Also, take note of what is on the other side of your wall. If you have plumbing running through the wall, be careful not to puncture it. And also be aware of whether you’re drilling near any electrical wires. Since you’ll likely place the TV toward the horizontal and vertical center of the wall, you probably won’t hit wires, but be careful nonetheless.
Step 4: Attach the Wall-Mounted Bracket
Once you’ve located the studs, it’s time to attach the wall-mounted bracket. This is the part of the mounting process that requires the most precision, so take your time and double-check your measurements.
Start by holding the bracket up against the wall where you want to mount the TV, making sure that it’s level. Mark the screw holes in the bracket onto the wall using a pencil. Then, remove the bracket and drill pilot holes into the wall where you marked the screw holes. This will make it easier to insert the screws into the wall.
Many wall mounting kits come with a paper template of the bracket. Use some painter’s tape to attach it to the wall. Make sure the template is level, and drill right through it.
Next, attach the bracket to the wall by inserting the screws into the pilot holes and tightening them with a screwdriver. Make sure that the bracket is securely attached to the wall and that it’s level. If your bracket isn’t level, your TV won’t be level.
Step 5: Attach the TV to the Bracket
Most TV mounting kits come with two pieces that screw into the back of the television. Claws on these pieces align with the horizontal rails of the mounting bracket to attach securely. Completing this step works best with another person.
Some kits are made where the top claws attach first. Then, you lower the bottom of the TV towards the bracket. At the same time, you pull down on tabs that open the bottom claws wider. Once the TV is in place, you release the tabs. All four claws are then secured to the bracket.
Step 6: Check for Stability
Check the stability and security of the TV on the bracket by gently pulling on it in different directions. If the TV does not move and the bracket does not pull away from the wall, the TV is stable. At this point, you’ll definitely know whether you anchored the bracket into the studs.
Step 7: Connect All Necessary Cables
With your TV securely mounted on the wall, the next step is to connect all necessary cables and power. This may include HDMI cables, power cables, and any cables for additional equipment, such as a sound bar or cable box. Make sure all cables are neatly organized and secured in place to avoid any tripping.
Step 8: Mount Any Additional Equipment
Mount any additional equipment, such as a sound bar or cable box, to the wall or below the TV as needed. You might as well get your entire entertainment system hooked up while you have all the necessary tools out.
Step 9: Test the TV
Finally, test the TV to ensure it is working properly and that all cables and power are connected correctly. If everything works, you’re ready to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Throw on your favorite movie, and relax!
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