TV mounting seems straightforward enough. Buy a bracket, drill some holes, hang the telly, and Bob’s your uncle – job done! But if you’ve ever tried your hand at this seemingly simple task, you might’ve discovered it’s not quite as easy as those YouTube tutorials make it look. And if you haven’t attempted it yet, you’re probably swimming in a sea of conflicting advice.
I’ve mounted more TVs than I care to count (including a disastrous first attempt that nearly cost me my 55-inch Samsung), and I’ve heard ALL the myths. Some make me chuckle, others make me wince. Let’s sort fact from fiction with some proper expert insight, shall we?
Myth 1: Any Wall Can Support a TV
This might be the most dangerous myth floating around. I remember chatting with my neighbour who was dead set on mounting his massive 65-inch OLED on a plasterboard wall with basic screws. DISASTER waiting to happen!
The truth: Not all walls are created equal. Drywall (plasterboard) alone CANNOT reliably support your TV without proper reinforcement. For heavier TVs (anything above 20kg), you need to locate & secure into wall studs or use specialised hollow wall anchors rated for the weight.
Expert electrician James Peters from London explains, “I’ve been called to too many homes where TVs have ripped straight out of plasterboard walls. Sometimes it happens immediately, sometimes weeks later. Either way, it’s an expensive mistake.” For brick or concrete walls, you’ll need specific masonry drill bits & appropriate wall plugs. No exceptions.
Myth 2: You Don’t Need Special Tools
Many DIYers believe they can mount a TV with just a basic toolkit. I thought the same until I found myself balancing a spirit level on top of a TV while simultaneously trying to mark drilling points. Not my finest moment.
In reality, proper TV mounting requires several specific tools: a stud finder (for wooden stud walls), a quality drill with appropriate bits for your wall type, a proper spirit level (preferably a laser one), a tape measure, & socket wrenches. You’ll also need a second person unless you fancy yourself a juggler.
“The right tools aren’t just about convenience,” notes Sarah Williams, professional installer from Manchester. “They’re about precision & safety. A TV that’s even slightly off-level becomes increasingly noticeable over time, & poor drilling technique can damage walls or create unstable mounts.”
Myth 3: All TV Brackets Are Basically the Same
Walk into any electronics shop and you’ll see brackets ranging from £15 to well over £100. Surely they all do the same thing, right? Wrong. I learned this the hard way when my “bargain” bracket couldn’t support the full swivel motion of my TV & started to sag after a month.
TV brackets come in various types (fixed, tilting, full-motion) & weight capacities. They’re NOT interchangeable. A bracket rated for 30kg shouldn’t hold a 29kg TV — you want plenty of safety margin. Also, ensure your bracket is compatible with your TV’s VESA pattern (the configuration of mounting holes on the back of your telly).
Quality matters tremendously. “The difference between budget & premium brackets isn’t just marketing,” explains installation expert Tom Richards. “Higher quality brackets use better materials, more precise engineering, & include safety features like locking mechanisms. They also tend to hide cables better & offer smoother adjustment.”
Myth 4: Height & Placement Don’t Matter Much
Some people assume you can mount a TV anywhere that’s convenient. In my first flat, I mounted mine above the fireplace. My neck still hasn’t forgiven me.
The ideal TV height places the middle of the screen at eye level when seated. This typically means the centre of the screen should be about 1.2 metres from the floor for a standard sofa setup. Mounting too high (like above fireplaces) causes neck strain & reduced picture quality from poor viewing angles.
Consider room layout carefully too. “TV placement should account for seating positions, natural light sources, and viewing distance,” advises interior designer Emma Thompson. “The optimal viewing distance is roughly 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size. Mount a 55-inch TV too close, and you’ll feel like you’re sitting in the front row of a cinema!”
Myth 5: Cable Management Isn’t Worth the Hassle
Many DIYers skip proper cable management, leaving a jumble of wires hanging below their beautifully mounted TV. I was guilty of this myself until a visiting friend asked if my “temporary setup” would be fixed soon. Six months after installation.
Professional installers consider cable management essential, not optional. Options range from simple cable raceways that attach to your wall surface to in-wall cable routing systems. The latter creates a truly wireless appearance but requires more skill to implement properly.
“Poor cable management isn’t just unsightly,” notes electrician Dave Cooper. “It can create fire hazards if cables are pinched or overly bent, & it often leads to connection problems over time as gravity pulls on poorly supported cables. A little extra effort during installation saves headaches later.”
Myth 6: You Can Ignore Electrical Considerations
A common oversight is failing to plan for power & connectivity. I once mounted a TV perfectly, only to realise the nearest plug socket was 2 metres away across the room. Queue the unsightly extension lead taped along the skirting board!
Ideally, you should have a power outlet behind or very near your TV location. If not, consider having one installed by a qualified electrician. Never run standard power cables inside walls – this violates UK building regulations & creates fire risks.
“We frequently see dodgy DIY power solutions that are genuine safety hazards,” warns certified electrician Paul Jenkins. “Extension leads overloaded with TV, sound bar, game console & other devices; cables run under carpets where they’ll fray; even regular cables put inside walls. These aren’t just rule-breaking – they’re dangerous.”
Myth 7: Once Mounted, You Won’t Need to Access the Back Again
Many people mount their TVs as close to the wall as possible, forgetting they’ll need rear access for new devices or troubleshooting. I made this mistake & had to completely remove my TV just to plug in a new HDMI cable. Not fun.
Full-motion or tilting mounts solve this problem by allowing you to pull the TV away from the wall. Even with fixed mounts, leave enough cable slack & don’t mount flush against the wall unless absolutely necessary.
“Future-proofing your setup means planning for access,” says technology consultant Mark Edwards. “Consider what devices you might add later – soundbars, streaming devices, gaming consoles – & ensure you’ll have the connections & access needed. Nothing’s more frustrating than dismounting an entire TV for a simple cable swap.”
The Bottom Line
DIY TV mounting isn’t impossible, but it’s certainly more complex than many people assume. With the right knowledge, proper tools & realistic expectations, you can achieve professional results. Or, if you’re like me after my third botched attempt, you might decide the cost of professional TV installation is money well spent!
Remember that your TV represents a significant investment, & the mount literally holds that investment on your wall. Whether you DIY or hire a pro, don’t cut corners on safety or quality. Your neck, your wallet & your pristine TV screen will thank you.
