Priya and Sam finally bought the big TV. Then they spent a Saturday staring at a blank wall, a box of bolts and a tangle of cords. If that sounds familiar, here is the short version of what they learned.
1. Check the back of your TV
Look for four screw holes on the back. The distance between them is the VESA pattern, written like 300 x 300 or 400 x 400. Your mount must list that pattern. Also check the TV weight against the mount's weight limit.
2. Choose the type of mount
- Fixed keeps the TV close to the wall. Clean and simple, best when you sit straight in front.
- Tilt angles the screen down a little. Helpful when the TV hangs higher, like above a fireplace.
- Full motion swings out and turns. Best for corners or open rooms where you watch from more than one spot.
3. Find the studs
Drywall alone cannot hold a TV. Use a stud finder to locate the wood studs behind the wall, usually 16 inches apart, and bolt the mount into them. Use the hardware that came with the mount and a level before you tighten anything.
4. Get the height right
A good starting point is the center of the screen at about eye level when you are seated, often around 42 inches from the floor. Too high is the most common mistake and the most tiring on your neck.
5. Hide the cords safely
Do not run a regular power cord or extension cord inside the wall. It is not made for that. Instead use an in-wall power kit made for TVs, or a paintable cord cover that runs along the wall. Either way, the wall looks clean.
Priya and Sam went with a tilt mount and a cord cover painted to match the wall. Movie night now starts with popcorn instead of untangling cables.