The main event

The 10 steps to mounting your TV

Work down the guide from top to bottom. The progress marker on the left keeps track of where you are, so you can put the drill down and come back without losing your place.

Check the TV & wall

Start with two numbers: how much your television weighs and what kind of wall you're fixing to. A solid brick or timber-stud wall behaves very differently from hollow plasterboard, and the mount you buy has to suit both the weight and the surface.

Tools Tape measure Info TV weight & size

Safety: If you can't confirm the wall is sound enough to carry the load, stop and get a professional opinion before drilling.

Choose the location

Sit where you'll usually watch and picture the screen in front of you. Aim for the middle of the display to land near eye level from your seat. Keep glare from windows and lights in mind, and make sure a power outlet is within reach.

Tools Pencil Check Glare & outlets

Tip: Cut a paper rectangle the size of your TV and tape it up first. It's the easiest way to judge height before anything is permanent.

Check mount compatibility

Match three things: the TV's VESA hole pattern (the spacing between the four holes on the back), its weight, and the mount's stated limits. If your TV is 400×400 VESA and 20 kg, the mount must support both. This is the single most important compatibility check.

Check VESA pattern Check Weight rating Check Screen size range

Safety: Never mount a TV that exceeds the bracket's rated weight. The manufacturer's figures for both the TV and the mount are the ones to trust.

Locate wall studs

On a stud wall, run a stud finder across the surface to mark the solid uprights, usually spaced evenly apart. These give your fixings something strong to bite into. On masonry, the wall itself is the anchor, but you'll need the right plugs and drill bit.

Tools Stud finder Tools Pencil

Tip: Mark the centre and both edges of each stud. Fixing into the middle gives the screw the most timber to hold.

Mark the mounting points

Hold the wall plate where you want it, rest a spirit level on top, and adjust until the bubble is centred. With the plate level, mark each hole position through the bracket onto the wall. Take your time here — every later step builds on these marks.

Tools Spirit level Tools Pencil

Tip: Measure the height of each mark from the floor and compare them. Matching numbers confirm the bracket is truly level.

Install the wall bracket

Drill your marked points with a bit suited to the wall and the supplied fixings. Insert wall plugs if masonry calls for them, then drive the screws through the bracket until it sits firm and flush. Give the plate a gentle push to confirm there's no movement.

Tools Drill Materials Screws & plugs

Safety: Use the fixings supplied or specified for your wall type. Check for hidden pipes and cables before you drill.

Attach brackets to the TV

Lay the television face-down on a soft, clean surface such as a blanket. Fasten the mounting arms or plate to the threaded holes on the back using the correct screws from the kit — snug, but not over-tightened. If there are spacers, fit them as the instructions show.

Tools Screwdriver Materials TV screws & spacers

Tip: A folded towel under the screen protects the panel and the ports while you work on the back.

Secure the TV to the wall bracket

With a helper, lift the television and guide its arms onto the wall plate. Different mounts lock differently — some hook over, some slide in, some clip. Once it's seated, engage any safety catch, locking screw, or retaining pin the mount provides.

People Two-person lift Check Locking mechanism

Safety: Don't let go until the TV is fully engaged and any locking feature is set. Larger screens really do need a second person.

Connect the cables

Plug in power, HDMI, aerial, and anything else while you can still reach the ports comfortably. On a tilting or full-motion mount, leave a little slack so the cables move with the screen. Tidy the runs with clips or a cover for a clean finish.

Materials HDMI & power leads Materials Cable clips

Tip: Label each lead before it disappears behind the TV. Future you will be grateful when swapping a device.

Check stability & viewing position

Give the TV a gentle, even push from a couple of angles — it should feel rock solid with no give at the bracket. Rest the level on top one last time, then sit down and look. Adjust the tilt or angle until the picture feels comfortable, and you're done.

Tools Spirit level Check Firm & level

Tip: Re-check the fixings again after a week of normal use. It's a quick, reassuring final habit.

Keep it safe

A quick safety recap

None of this replaces the guidance that came with your equipment — it sits alongside it.

Know your wall

Confirm the structure can carry the weight. If a wall's soundness is uncertain, ask a qualified professional before you fix anything.

Respect the ratings

Match the mount's weight and VESA limits to your TV. The manufacturers' stated figures are the ones that count.

Use the right hardware

Fit the screws, plugs, and anchors intended for your wall type, and the fixings supplied with the mount itself.

Follow the instructions

Always work through the manuals for your specific TV and mount. When in doubt about the structure, bring in a professional installer.

Read the fuller mounting guide