Mounting Flat Screen TVs

Flat-screen televisions have grown in popularity in the past couple of years as TV technologies have improved, prices have dropped, and consumers have increasingly wanted larger TVs that don’t completely take over their living spaces.

Although most flat-screen televisions come with stands, many homeowners are choosing to mount theirs on the wall instead. And why not? It frees up even more space, allows you to position your television at a just-right height, and lets you get away with buying less art for your walls. Sounds like a good idea to me!

Shopping for a flat-panel TV? Start with this buying guide from Future Shop.

Once you purchase your flat-screen, should you choose to affix it to the wall, the most important thing to remember is you need to attach it to a stud … unless you want it to come crashing down, potentially bringing part of your wall with it. (My guess is you’d rather not have that happen.)

Beyond that basic fact, it’s important make certain you install your television in the optimal spot for viewing. Here are some pointers for where to mount your television (along with links to products that can help you do it).

This about.com article details how to ensure that you’re buying the right mounting brackets (and more). If you need hardware to mount your TV, check out Mounts and More. Then, once you have all the tools you need, here’s how to actually mount your TV on the wall.

Oh, but wait. What about those darn cords that hang down? They look less than stellar (if you don’t believe, take a look at how my TV looked when it was mounted in my apartment, above. So how do you hide those darn cords?

The most common recommendation is to drill or cut holes to run the wires through the wall. You’ll cut a hole where the wires originate from the TV and another where you want them to come out. Then you have to fish the wires through the holes. This is a possibility if you own your home and aren’t afraid to make relatively large holes in the walls (and if you have some DIY skills). You can have it professionally done too, but that can get pricey.

If you’re really motivated (and don’t mind the mess) you can chisel a long groove in a plaster wall, fit your wires into the groove, and replaster. But what happens if you need to get to the wires for some reason? Hmm. Good question, and one you might want to think about before you start chiseling.

Should you decide to undergo one of these options, Crutchfield Advisor takes you from the tools you need to drywall cleanup.

Or, if you’d rather leave your walls alone, how about some handy alternatives? Surface-mount wire holders are an outside-the-wall option. They stick out from the wall a bit but if you don’t run them too far and you paint or paper them too match your wall they’re hardly noticeable. My mother went this route with the wall-mount TV in my parents’ living room, right, and I think it works pretty well.

Another option (and the easiest—although admittedly not the most attractive): strategically place a plant, a piece of art, or even a furnishing in front of the hanging television wires to hide them. And call it a day.

Oh, while we’re busy hiding TV wires, why not hide the television too?

At framemyTV.com you can purchase a custom metal or wood frame for your LCD or plasma TV to help it blend with your décor. Or check out hiddentelevision.com, where you can purchase a transparent mirror that you mount over your TV (it works in bedrooms, living rooms, or even bathrooms according to the website). Your television appears to be a regular mirror until you turn it on (which, as the website demonstrates, allows you to watch figure skating in your bathroom, and use your TV as a mirror the rest of the time).

Enjoy, you couch potatoes you.

Until Monday,
The Home Know-It-All

Comments

[Moutning TV]

Thanks for sharing this informative post

[Mounting TV]

Nice information

[Julie, The Home Know-It-All]

Glad you liked the post and that you're finding useful information on the blog. If there are any topics you'd like to see us write about, please let us know!

[Mounting TV]

This is a great article about Flat screen TV. Yes i agree, now a days flat screen is very popular and everyone using it.

I am new to your blog and i like what I see. I look forward to your future work.I’ve taken a quick look at your postings, which are very interesting.Thanks for this information.

[Plasma Mounts]

Great.I think this post will help those who are planning to buy a Flat monitor TV.When we mount a flat TV the place should look perfect and charm.