title: "How to Mount a TV on the Wall (And What to Do After)" description: "Step-by-step guide to wall mounting your TV: choosing the right mount, finding studs, drilling safely, and getting everything set up after." date: "2026-06-05" keywords: ["how to mount a tv on the wall", "wall mount tv", "tv wall mount installation", "how to find studs for tv mount", "VESA pattern tv mount", "tv mounting tips"]
You finally bought the mount. Now you're staring at a wall, a stud finder, and a 65-inch TV wondering how badly this could go. It can go fine. Here's how to do it right, and what to take care of once the TV is up.
Pick the Right Mount
TV mounts come in three types: fixed, tilting, and full-motion (also called articulating).
Fixed mounts sit flush against the wall. They look clean and are the most stable, but you can't adjust the angle once it's up. They work well if your seating area is directly in front of the TV at the right height.
Tilting mounts let you angle the screen down a few degrees. Useful if the TV is going above a fireplace or higher on the wall than eye level.
Full-motion mounts let you swing the TV out, rotate it, and tilt it. They're heavier, put more stress on the wall, and cost more. But if you're mounting in a corner or a room where you watch from different spots, they're worth it.
Check the VESA pattern on your TV before buying. VESA is the spacing between the four mounting holes on the back of your TV, measured in millimeters. Your mount needs to match it. It's listed in your TV's manual and usually on the manufacturer's website.
Find the Studs
This is where most installs go wrong. Drywall alone cannot hold a TV. You need to anchor into the studs behind the wall.
Use a stud finder and run it across the wall at the height you want the mount. Mark both edges of each stud with a pencil. Studs are typically 16 inches apart, center to center.
If you don't have a stud finder, you can knock on the wall and listen for a dull thud instead of a hollow echo. Or use a strong magnet to find the drywall screws, which go into studs.
Most TV mounts need two studs. Make sure the mount you chose is wide enough to span them.
Mount Height
The standard recommendation is to put the center of the screen at eye level when seated, which is usually 42 to 48 inches from the floor for most couches. Measure before you drill.
If you're mounting above a fireplace, be aware that heat rises. TV manufacturers typically recommend against it, and it can cause long-term damage to the display. If you still want it there, a tilting mount helps reduce glare and neck strain.
Drill and Install
Once you know where the studs are and have marked the mount position, drill pilot holes slightly smaller than your lag bolts. Lag bolts (not drywall anchors) are what you need here. Most mounts include them.
Hold the mount against the wall, check that it's level with a bubble level or your phone's level app, then drive in the bolts. Snug, not overtightened.
Attach the mounting plate (or arms) to the back of the TV using the VESA bolts and any spacers the mount includes. Then hang the TV on the wall bracket. Give it a firm shake. It should not move.
What to Do After
Once the TV is up, the job isn't done. A few things to sort out:
Run your cables. A TV on a clean wall with cables hanging down looks half-finished. Cable covers are cheap and easy to install. If you want wires fully hidden, an in-wall cable kit works well on non-brick/non-concrete walls. For a truly clean look, have an electrician or tech run a new outlet behind the TV.
Set up your devices. If you're using a streaming stick, soundbar, or gaming console with the new setup, this is a good time to get everything configured and working together.
Check the picture settings. TVs ship with "store mode" or "vivid" settings that look terrible in a home. Go into your picture settings and switch to "movie," "cinema," or "filmmaker" mode. Your eyes will thank you.
If any of this sounds like more than you want to deal with, SageTech sends a tech to your home to handle the whole job. Mount, cables, setup, done. Book at sagetechapp.com.
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