Consider your seating area, the size of the screen, and the size of your wall when deciding where to mount your flat-screen TV
Your flat-screen TV needs at least 4 inches of space on each side for proper ventilation and a proportionate look on your wall.
Viewing distance determines screen size: divide your seating distance in inches by 2 to find the maximum recommended TV size for comfortable viewing.
You want the middle of your screen at eye level from your seating area to avoid neck strain during movie nights at home.
Hiring a local TV mount installation professional keeps your installation secure and positioned correctly, removing guesswork from stud location and proper mounting height.
Flat-screen TVs have exploded in popularity over the years, and TV and movie buffs have taken full advantage of the home theater experience. Unlike the large, unwieldy televisions of the past that took up a significant amount of space in a room—not to mention the bulky entertainment centers required to house them—flat-screen TVs can mount to a wall for a sleek silhouette.
Installing a flat-screen TV on a wall can be a relatively easy DIY project, particularly if you have a second set of hands to help you manage the large screen. But before you pick up those power tools, follow these steps first:
While many will argue that you can never have a TV screen that’s too big, there is such a thing as having one too big for your wall. According to Sony, there should be at least 4 inches of space on either side of the TV to allow for proper ventilation. (The back of the TV should have at least 2 to 6 inches of space, which is easily achievable with a standard TV mount.)
This doesn’t mean that you should have your flat screen hanging off the edge of a wall, though. For both aesthetic and ventilation purposes, choose a wall in your home that can contain your flat-screen TV in its entirety.
Common sense dictates that you want to have a seating area close enough to the TV to see it but not too close to cause eye strain. Samsung suggests using this simple equation to figure out the distance between your flat screen and your seating area:
Viewing distance (in inches) / 2 = Recommended TV size
Let’s say you’ve got a couch about 12 feet from the wall. There are 12 inches in a foot, so that makes 144 inches. Divide 144 by 2 and you’ve got 72 inches—the maximum suggested screen size for that distance.
If you cannot achieve the suggested distance from the screen with your seating area, you can always choose a smaller screen. While that might be disappointing news to some, your home theater area will look more proportionate within the space.
Now that you have determined the proper distance, it’s time to figure out how high or low on the wall your TV should be mounted. It’s all about eye level so again, let your seating area dictate. Do you have a couch? Reclining armchairs? Bean bags? Bar stools? Each of these seats offers a different vantage point from the screen.
Ideally, you want the middle of the screen to be at the eye level of the audience. This can get tricky if there are seats of varying heights. Above all, you do not want your movie night to cause neck strain, so choose a height accordingly.
Now that you have a better idea of where to mount your flat-screen TV, you’ll want to test the placement first before getting out those power tools.
Using painter’s tape, mark the outline of the TV on the wall. Then, sit with it for a while—literally. Set up your seating area and settle in for a faux movie night at home. Do you feel comfortable? Make adjustments as necessary. When you are satisfied with the placement, now you can grab that stud finder and start installing your flat-screen TV.
While mounting a flat-screen TV doesn’t take long, it is a project that you want to do right the first time. Follow these four steps to find the proper placement of your TV for an enjoyable home theater experience.
We have bought and sold numerous times over the past 50 years. Sherman Hall and Top Line are top notch. Thorough and detailed, he explains every possibility, probability, and eventuality. High class and pleasant. The best.
Top Line Home Inspections, LLCSupreme Brick & Chimney did a great job with a cleaning and inspection of the fireplace! He was efficient, on time, and very pleasant. The space was kept very clean, and the fireplace was spotless when he was done. He also performed a thorough inspection, and did a great job talking us...
Supreme brick & chimneyCustom Paint Jobs LLC is the go-to choice for all your painting needs. They painted both the interior and exterior of my house flawlessly. Their work speaks for itself!
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCThey were very helpful with design, very quick to respond, good quality work, and competitive pricing!
Cooks CabinetsOn time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioIf I could give 10 stars for Kitchen Tune Up, I would. I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Kitchen Tune Up and the entire team involved in the process of my kitchen project. They went above and beyond as far as service and quality with my cabinets, paint, countertops, and...
Beginning with the estimate, Larry and Peyton were super helpful in getting my new condo's interior re-painted. Not only was the job well done, but also done in a super timely manner as promised.
Five Star Painting of Plain City and PowellGreat job...edging and pre clean up went well with a great job with seal coat. Friendly, efficient and professional.
All Star Paving and SealingWe were having 2”x 2” tile installed . There was a small installation error and the new additional replacement tile was from a different lot and the colors didn’t match. Joe assured us that he would rectify everything , which he did without hesitation. We decided to go with the 18” x 36” tile...
CarifaTileWe live in a condo and had space to add a tall cabinet. The problem was the space was already occupied by our catsâ litter box. We needed to still keep the litter box in that same corner. Beiler Custom Cabinets was able to work with our need and design request. What was created was an...
Beiler Custom Cabinets, LTDFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Wondering how much does it cost to mount a TV? Get price ranges, key cost factors, and expert tips to help you budget for your TV mounting project.
Find out what impacts TV repair cost. Learn average prices, key cost factors, and how to save when repairing your TV.
For a clean and safe installation, hire someone to mount the TV on the wall. Know how to prepare and what questions to ask before you call a pro for help.
Love your backyard—and television? You can have the best of both indoor and outdoor worlds by installing a TV on your deck or patio. Read on for outdoor TV setup tips.
Maybe you just got a brand new TV or want to ditch your console—either way, you're wondering—should you mount your TV? Read on to find out.
Your TV can be an eyesore, but there are simple ways to conceal your screen while adding style and decor to your space. Here are the top ways to hide your TV.
