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TV Mounting Guide: How to Find Studs and Mount Safely
A properly mounted TV looks great and stays put for years. An improperly mounted TV ends up on the floor — and sometimes takes a chunk of drywall with it. Here's how to do it right.
Step 1: Find the Studs
Drywall alone cannot support a TV. You need to anchor into wall studs — the 2x4 or 2x6 framing behind the drywall. Use a stud finder, moving slowly across the wall. Mark both edges of each stud (not just the center) so you know exactly where solid wood is. Studs are typically 16 inches apart in residential construction. Verify with a small nail or drill bit before committing to your mount location.
Step 2: Choose the Right Mount
Fixed mounts hold the TV flat against the wall — lowest profile, most stable. Tilting mounts let you angle the screen down — good for high placements. Full-motion (articulating) mounts swing out from the wall — most flexible, but require the most robust installation. For any mount, check the weight rating and VESA pattern (the bolt hole spacing on the back of your TV) before buying.
Step 3: Get the Height Right
The center of the screen should be at eye level when you're seated — typically 42–48 inches from the floor for most seating arrangements. Mounting too high is the most common mistake, and it causes neck strain over time. Measure from your seated eye level, not from standing.
Step 4: Use the Right Hardware
Use lag bolts (also called lag screws) to anchor into studs — not drywall anchors, not regular wood screws. Lag bolts are thick, coarse-threaded, and designed for structural loads. Pre-drill a pilot hole slightly smaller than the bolt diameter to avoid splitting the stud. Most TV mounts come with hardware, but verify the bolt length reaches at least 1.5 inches into the stud.
Hiding the Cables
A mounted TV with cables dangling down the wall defeats the purpose. Options: in-wall cable management kit (requires cutting drywall), surface-mount cable raceway (paintable, no cutting), or routing cables through the wall to an outlet directly behind the TV. In-wall power kits are code-compliant and look the cleanest — they're worth the extra step.
We mount TVs clean and safe — cables hidden, level guaranteed. Call (214) 872-7785 to book a TV mounting in Red Oak or Ellis County.
Call (214) 872-7785