A wall-mounted TV saves space and is harder for children and pets to knock over, but only if it’s fixed properly. Check these points before anyone drills a hole.
Safety first: A TV that isn’t mounted correctly can slide or fall and cause serious injury. If you’re not confident, have it installed by someone experienced.
1. Check that the bracket fits your TV
Look at the back of your TV for four threaded mounting holes. The distance between them, measured in millimetres, is called the VESA pattern. Common sizes include 100 × 100, 200 × 200 and 400 × 400.
- The bracket must support your TV’s VESA pattern.
- The bracket must be rated for at least your TV’s weight. You’ll find the TV’s weight without its stand in the manual or on the brand’s website.
- Use the screws that suit your TV. The manual usually gives the screw size, and screws that are too long can damage the TV.
2. Choose the type of bracket
- Fixed: holds the TV close to the wall. Neat, but you can’t adjust the angle.
- Tilting: lets you angle the screen down slightly, useful if the TV sits a bit higher.
- Full-motion: pulls out and swivels, for corners or rooms where you watch from different spots. These put more strain on the wall, so the fixing matters even more.
3. Know your wall
The wall decides which fixings to use:
- Brick or concrete: solid walls hold a TV well with the right wall plugs and screws for the load.
- Drywall or board partitions (they sound hollow when knocked): a heavy TV can pull screws out of the board. The bracket needs to be fixed into the frame behind the board, or with fixings made for that wall type and rated for the weight.
Mount the TV on a flat, upright wall only.
4. Check for hidden cables and pipes
Before drilling, make sure there are no electrical cables or water pipes where the holes will go. A cable and pipe detector can help. If you’re unsure, ask an electrician or an experienced installer.
5. Pick the right height
For comfortable viewing, the centre of the screen should be at about eye level when you’re seated. Sit where you usually watch and have someone hold a piece of cardboard the size of the screen against the wall to test the height before you drill.
Mounting above a fireplace usually puts the TV too high, and heat and smoke can damage it.
6. Plan for cables, power and airflow
- Make sure there’s a plug point within reach of the TV’s power cable.
- Plan where the HDMI, aerial and decoder cables will run.
- Leave space around the TV for air to flow. Samsung, for example, recommends at least 10 cm between the TV and nearby objects. Check your TV’s manual for its own requirement.
7. Get help to lift it
Lifting a TV onto a bracket is a two-person job, even for mid-sized TVs. Very large TVs may need more people. Hold the TV by its frame, not the screen.
When to ask for an installer
- The TV is large or heavy, or you want a full-motion bracket.
- The wall is drywall or you’re not sure what it’s made of.
- You want cables hidden or the TV mounted above a cabinet or in a corner.
- You don’t have the tools, or a second person to help.
Want help mounting your TV?
Use the Problem Finder to check what you need, or send a request with your TV size and wall type.