How to Securely Mount a Flat-Screen TV

Television mounting is the gold standard for clearing up floor space and achieving a clean, modern look in any room. It transforms a bulky piece of electronics into a functional design element, but it requires absolute precision to keep your screen safe and level. When done well, the TV looks like it is floating effortlessly against the drywall with no visible wires. Safety is the priority here. A television is a significant weight that pulls constantly on the wall, so you cannot rely on drywall anchors alone. You must drive your mounting bolts directly into the wood framing members behind your wall. If you take the time to measure twice and secure your bracket to the structural studs, your TV will remain rock-solid for as long as you live in the house.

  1. Find Your Studs First. Use a high-quality electronic stud finder to identify the center of the vertical wooden studs behind your drywall. Mark the center of each stud with a pencil so you have a clear vertical line to guide your drill bits.
  2. Mark Before Drilling. Hold your wall bracket against the wall at your desired height. Use a bubble level to ensure the mounting holes align perfectly with the centers of your marked studs before you make your final drilling marks.
  3. Pilot Holes Prevent Splits. Drill small pilot holes into the center of the marked stud positions. Using a drill bit slightly smaller than the shank of your lag bolts prevents the wood from splitting when you drive the hardware in.
  4. Secure the Wall Plate. Align the wall plate over your pilot holes and drive the lag bolts through the plate into the studs using a socket wrench. Tighten until the plate is snug against the wall, but do not overtighten, which can strip the wood fibers.
  5. Attach Arms to TV. Attach the two mounting arms to the back of your television using the bolts provided with your mount kit. Ensure the arms are centered and the safety locking mechanisms are facing downward.
  6. Lock It Down Tight. With a partner, lift the television and hook the mounting arms onto the wall plate. Once the unit is hung, engage the safety locking screws or clips to prevent the TV from sliding horizontally or tilting off the wall.