Mounting a TV is simple in theory and easy to get wrong in practice. Here is how it is done right, whether you hire it out or try it yourself.
1. Find the real framing
A TV hangs on the studs, not the drywall. Drywall alone will not hold a screen for long, whatever the anchor box promises. Locate the studs, confirm them with a small pilot hole or a strong magnet on the screws, and plan the mount around them. On plaster, brick or concrete the rules change, which is covered in can you mount a TV on any wall.
2. Pick the right mount
Flat, tilt or full-motion changes how the TV sits and moves. The short version is in flat, tilt or full-motion: flat for eye-level walls, tilt for higher spots, full-motion for corners and glare. Check the mount's weight rating and its VESA pattern against the back of your TV.
3. Set the height
Too high is the most common mistake, especially over a fireplace. The center of the screen should land near eye level from where you sit. See how high to mount a TV.
4. Hide the wires
Cables hanging down ruin a clean mount. They can go inside the wall to a recessed outlet, or into a slim raceway where the wall will not allow it. See how to hide TV wires.
5. Level it and check twice
Level the bracket before the TV goes on, then check again with the TV hanging, because a heavy screen can pull a bracket slightly. A dead-level finish is the difference between a professional job and a weekend one.
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