TV Wall Mounting Height Guide
At Hang My TV, we respect that you’re having a crack at hanging your own TV. You’ve probably just purchased a new screen, and you want to take your cinema experience to the next level with an elevated feature. Maybe the youngling has just learnt to pull themselves up on lounge room objects, or then again perhaps you could just use the extra floor space. There are a multitude of reasons to mount your TV but how high should a TV be mounted on the wall, and how does one go about it?
We’ll lay out a step by step process, including what tools you will need for the job, how to execute the task, and the best height for your wall-mounted TV.
Tools Required for Wall Mounting Your Television
Unless you’re a real handyman, there may be a few tools that you don’t have to complete the task, but the art of ‘borrowing’ is a resourceful skill to attain; you could always ask Flanders.
Stud Finder
Now, you can’t just slap your television on the wall and not expect to wake up to a pile of plaster the next morning. Make sure you’re applying the mount to a stud in the wall. For those of you not familiar with the inner-workings of a wall, a stud is a long, vertical, beam of wood that works as the ‘bone structure’ of your walls.
Depending on the Stud Finder model (and how expensive it is) it will flash, beep, tell you the stud’s depth, or do all three.
Painter’s Tape
Once you have found the Studs, mark your drilling point with a bit of tape. It will save you drawing on the walls which could really pay off if you change positioning later on.
Power Drill
Hopefully, you have a power drill, if you don’t and you have decided to mount your own television chances are you’re the type of person that is going to need a drill in the future. Take a hit and buy a drill or ask your neighbour again; it doesn’t bother us.
With drilling, comes drill bits. You will need a Carbide-Tipped Masonry Drill Bit to make pilot holes in the drywall to which you drill your mounting screws to. You will also need a Phillips Head Drill Bit for driving the mounting screws.
A Level
Like a loud ticking clock or a dripping tap when you’re trying to get to sleep, a crooked TV will quite literally drive you up the wall. Don’t trust your ‘eye’ on this one, use a level to guarantee you’ve placed the mount evenly.
Television Mount
If this shocks you, there’s something wrong. You’ll need to buy a TV mount but make sure you purchase a mount that is compatible with the TV model.
A Helping Hand
Having a friend to give you a hand is ideal, if you don’t have one accessible unfortunately, Bunnings don’t sell them. It’s more than possible to do it without a friend but perhaps installing a TV shouldn’t be a priority given your social situation.
How High Should I Mount My TV on the Wall?
As a general rule of thumb, your TV mounting height on the wall increases as the size of the screen increases:
42 inch Screen = 56 inches from the floor to the TV’s centre
55 inch Screen = 61 inches from the floor to the TV’s centre
65 inch Screen = 65 inches from the floor to the TV’s centre
70 inch Screen = 67 inches from the floor to the TV’s centre
How to Mount Your TV on the Wall
Now that you’ve got your tools laid out, you may begin the mounting process. Be meticulous and rational, you don’t want to go to all this trouble only to do it wrong and call us in to fix it anyway.
Step. 1 - Positioning
Firstly, you need to find the right wall to mount the TV. Sit in every potential viewing location and validate the angle you will be looking at the TV. If there are blind spots or the angle is too acute, consider repositioning the screen.
Referencing the TV wall mount height chart above, evaluate how high you’re going to mount the screen.
Step. 2 - Finding the Studs
Positioning your TV also depends on the position of the studs. You may have to reconfigure if there aren’t any studs accessible. Run the Stud Finder along the wall to pinpoint their location and use a bit of Painter’s Tape to help you remember.
Step. 3 - Find Your Drill Holes
Hold the TV mounting frame on the selected positioning, this is where the level comes in handy. Place the level on top of the mount and adjust until the bubble goes to dead centre. That extra set of helping hands will come in… ‘handy’ for this task.
Use four of the drill holes (one in each corner of the mount) that line up with the tape marked Studs. Mark the tape with a pencil and use a masonry drill bit to make pilot holes.
Step. 4 - Attaching the Mount Bracket to the Wall
It is easiest to use a friend to hold the mounting bracket to the wall while you drill the mounting screws into the four selected markings.
Step. 5 - Assemble the Mounting Plate
Your TV may have a TV stand attached to it, if so, remove the stand using a Phillips Head screwdriver. There should be some hardware included with your mounting plate and there should be mounting holes on the back of your TV (hopefully, you confirmed compatibility with the TV mount that you purchased). Attach the mount and use hard wear to lock in place.
Step. 6 - Mount Your Screen
You’re so close!
If you have a small TV, then you should be able to do this step alone. If you have a friend there, it’s best to do it with two. Lift with your legs not with an arched back; you’ll be stuck on the couch with a half finished mounting job if you ignore this slice of advice! Line up the mounting plate with the mounting bracket and lock it into place.
Step. 7 - Hiding Cables
You’ll want to hide your cables as an aesthetic finish. You can buy cable boxes to attach to the wall, or alternatively, coil them neatly and tuck them behind the TV or a lounge room ornament.
Enjoy Your Handy Work
Now it’s time to microwave the pop-corn, crack a beer, and chuck on a movie. If you want, check out our top picks of movies from the 80s and 90s, the golden era of cinematography!
Check out the video of us mounting a TV, if you decide after reading this that it’s a bit out of your capability, there’s absolutely no shame. Follow the link to find out more - TV Mounting Services.