TV Wall Mounting: Everything You Need to Know

A wall-mounted TV looks clean, saves space, and keeps your screen out of reach of kids and pets. But there's more to it than just drilling a few holes. Here's everything you need to know.

Types of TV Brackets

Fixed Brackets

The simplest option - your TV sits flat against the wall.

Pros:

• Cheapest option (£15-40)
• Sits closest to wall (2-3cm gap)
• Simplest to install
• Most secure

Cons:

• No adjustment once mounted
• Hard to access cables
• Must be perfectly level first time

Best for: Bedrooms, kitchens, TVs mounted at eye level

Tilting Brackets

Allows vertical tilt, usually 10-15 degrees down.

Pros:

• Reduces glare from lights
• Better for mounting above eye level
• Easy to access cables
• Mid-range price (£25-60)

Cons:

• Sits further from wall (5-8cm)
• Can't swivel side to side

Best for: Above fireplaces, higher mounting positions

Full-Motion (Articulating) Brackets

Extends from wall, tilts, and swivels.

Pros:

• Full flexibility of position
• Can view from different angles
• Easy cable access
• Great for corner mounting

Cons:

• Most expensive (£40-150+)
• Sits furthest from wall
• More complex to install
• Heavier duty wall fixings needed

Best for: Living rooms, open-plan spaces, corner positions

What Wall Do You Have?

This is the crucial question. The wall type determines everything about how your TV gets mounted. If you're not sure what type of wall you have, check out our guide to rawlplugs and wall types.

Solid Masonry (Brick/Block)

The easiest to mount on - very strong.

• Use masonry drill bit and wall plugs
• Standard fixings will hold most TVs
• Straightforward installation

Stud Walls (Plasterboard)

More common in modern homes and extensions.

• Must find the studs - plasterboard alone won't hold a TV
• Use stud finder or knock and listen
• Fixings must go into timber studs
• May need to use a mounting plate if studs don't align with bracket holes

Dot and Dab (Plasterboard on Adhesive)

Common in homes built after 1980s.

• Tricky - there's a gap behind the plasterboard
• Standard fixings can pull through
• May need specialist fixings or direct fixing to masonry behind
• Check carefully before drilling

TV Mounting Height Guide

The centre of your TV screen should be at eye level when seated. For most people, this means:

Situation	Centre of TV Height
Sofa viewing	100-110cm from floor
Bed viewing	100cm from floor (or eye level when propped up)
Kitchen	140-150cm from floor
Above fireplace	As low as safely possible

Note: Mounting above a fireplace looks great but usually means the TV is too high for comfortable viewing. You'll be craning your neck.

Cable Management

Nothing ruins a nice wall-mounted TV like cables dangling down. Your options:

Cable Covers (Surface Mounted)

• Plastic channels that stick to the wall
• Can be painted to match
• Cheapest option (£10-20)
• Easy DIY job

In-Wall Cable Routing

• Cables hidden completely inside the wall
• Requires cutting into plasterboard
• Looks much cleaner
• Add £30-50 to installation cost
• Check regulations if running mains power in walls

TV-Specific Sockets

• Socket installed directly behind the TV
• Cleanest possible result
• Requires electrician for power socket
• Usually £100-150 for socket installation

Common Mistakes

1. Not checking the wall type Biggest mistake. What works on brick won't work on plasterboard.

2. Wrong bracket for TV weight Check the bracket's weight rating. A 55" TV typically weighs 15-25kg.

3. Forgetting VESA pattern The bolt pattern on the back of your TV. Make sure the bracket is compatible.

4. Mounting too high Neck ache after every film isn't worth the aesthetic.

5. Not planning cables first Work out where cables will go before drilling.

DIY or Professional?

DIY is fine if:

• You have a solid masonry wall
• You're confident with a drill
• It's a fixed or tilting bracket
• You have the right tools
• Someone can help hold the TV

Get a professional if:

• You have stud walls and can't find the studs
• The wall is dot and dab
• You want in-wall cable management
• The TV is very large (65"+)
• It's above a fireplace (often awkward access)
• You're not confident drilling

What Does Professional TV Mounting Cost?

For a full breakdown of prices, see our TV mounting costs guide. In Exeter, expect to pay:

Service	Typical Cost
Basic mount (bracket supplied)	£60-80
Mount + bracket supplied	£80-120
With surface cable covers	£90-130
With in-wall cables	£120-160
Above fireplace	+£20-30

Most jobs take 1-2 hours.

---

Need your TV mounted? We install TV brackets across Exeter and surrounding areas. Call 01392 964094 or book a callout.