Mount a Flat-Screen TV to a Wall

Wall mounting a television transforms a room. It clears floor space, eliminates furniture clutter, and puts the screen exactly where you want it—at the proper height, angled just right, with cables hidden instead of spilling down to a console. The job itself is straightforward mechanical work: find solid wood, drill straight holes, tighten bolts, hang metal on metal. What matters is doing it once, doing it right, and never wondering if the thing will hold. The mount you choose determines how the TV behaves after installation. Fixed mounts sit flush and never move. Tilting mounts angle down for high placements. Full-motion arms swing out and rotate, useful for corner installations or rooms with multiple seating areas. Buy a mount rated for at least your TV's weight, confirm it fits your VESA pattern—the four-bolt square on the back of every flat screen—and make certain you're drilling into studs, not drywall alone.

1. Locate the Studs First. Use a stud finder to locate two adjacent studs where you want the TV. Mark the center of each stud with a pencil at your desired mounting height. Verify stud location by tapping or drilling a small pilot hole—you'll feel solid resistance when you hit wood. Most studs are 16 inches apart, occasionally 24.
2. Level Before You Drill. Hold the wall plate of your mount against the wall with the mounting holes aligned over the stud centers. Level it carefully with a torpedo level, then mark the pilot hole locations through the bracket. Double-check level before marking—this is your last chance to get it straight.
3. Drill Deep Into Wood. Drill pilot holes at each marked location using a bit slightly smaller than your lag bolts. Drill straight and perpendicular to the wall, going at least two inches into the stud. Clear dust from the holes with a vacuum or compressed air.
4. Tighten in a Cross Pattern. Align the wall plate over the pilot holes and drive lag bolts through the bracket into the studs. Tighten each bolt progressively—snug them all halfway, then go back and fully tighten in a cross pattern. The bracket should feel immovably solid when you pull on it.
5. Bolt the Plate to TV. Lay the TV face-down on a blanket or soft surface. Attach the mount's TV brackets to the VESA holes on the back of the set using the included bolts. Hand-tighten, then snug with a screwdriver—overtightening can crack the TV casing.
6. Hang and Verify Lock. With a helper, lift the TV and hook the mounting plates onto the wall bracket. Most systems have a lip or groove that catches—listen for the click or feel the weight settle. Gently tug the bottom of the TV to confirm it's locked in place.
7. Route Cables Cleanly. Connect power and HDMI cables, then secure them with cable ties or clips to prevent stress on the ports. Route cables straight down behind the TV, using in-wall kits if desired or surface-mounted raceways for a clean look. Plug everything in and verify picture before buttoning up.
8. Test Everything, Tighten All. If your mount tilts or swivels, test the full range of motion and adjust tension screws so the TV moves smoothly but stays where you position it. Check all bolts one final time for tightness. Stand back and confirm the TV is level and at the right viewing height.