Whether you just bought a new TV, are setting up the perfect home theater, or just rearranging the living room, mounting a television on the wall comes with many benefits. It can free up space on the floor, reduce potential damage from children and pets, create a cleaner look for your living space, and have better ergonomics when viewing your favorite shows. As great as all that is, there are a few things you'll need to first consider before mounting your TV. These include where it will be mounted, the tools you’ll need to do the job, and how to safely handle the television when it's being installed. Fear not, this helpful guide will help you hang that TV with ease, so in no time you'll be grabbing the popcorn, kicking back, and binge-watching that new series!

Before you try mounting your TV, there are a few tools you’re going to want to gather. These tools will not only make the job easier but help ensure you get the perfect mount every time.

A stud finder will help you find where the wood studs are located inside your walls. Studs help provide the support needed to hold up that heavy TV. Once you have located the studs, you’ll want to mark their position on the wall. The amount you need to locate will depend on your tv mount, but for most, two studs will get the job done.

You can use a tape measure to measure the mounting points on the back of your tv mount or bracket. This will help you determine how many studs you need to find and mark on your wall. It’s also helpful to measure the area you plan to mount your TV in, to make sure it’s big enough to accommodate the size of your television.

A level will help you get the perfect mount every time. Helpful for hanging items perfectly straight, it will help you to measure the level (horizontal plane) and plumb (vertical plumb) as you mount your TV. They come in a few types and sizes. Typically the larger the level, the more accurate it is. You don’t need anything too fancy for mounting your TV. We recommend a 10- or 12-inch torpedo level, as they are versatile and can be used for many other projects around the house as well.

You’re going to need a drill to hang your TV mount on the wall. The drill will help you pilot holes through the drywall and drive your screws into the studs.

Before you go out and purchase a mount for your TV, you need to do a little research. The type of mount you select will depend on a couple of things. First, you need to inspect your TV to understand what size bracket you are able to use. Then, think about where your TV will be mounted, and which style of mount will work best in the area. Some mounts allow you to swivel and rotate the TV, which is especially useful when mounting near corners. These are known as full-motion mounts. There are also tilted mounts, which allow you to tilt the TV up and down. Then, there are fixed mounts that don’t offer any sort of movement once mounted. These are typically the most affordable option.

So you’ve gathered all your supplies and you’re ready to get started mounting your TV. But how high should you mount your TV? When measuring where to hang your TV mount, it is recommended to keep the center of the TV at eye level while seated. This will help improve ergonomics and take the strain off your body as you are watching your favorite shows. While this may height may vary depending on the size of your couch, chair, or how tall you are, the average number is about 42-inches off the ground.

You’ve gathered all your tools and found the perfect spot to hang your TV, but there’s just one problem. You don’t have any studs to work with. Don’t panic! You can still mount your TV even if you can’t find any studs. Whether you are trying to hang your TV on brick, above a fireplace, or somewhere else, here are a few ways you can finish the project without using wall studs.

Drywall anchors are a quick and simple way to mount your TV when you don’t have studs available. There are different types of drywall anchors available, but they all work similarly. As you screw the anchor into the wall, it expands and anchors into the drywall panel for support. Just keep in mind the weight of your television and the weight capacity or strength of the drywall anchors you’re using.

Toggle bolts sometimes referred to as toggle anchors or hollow wall anchors, are another great option for mounting your TV. They look similar to a normal screw but will have a butterfly-style toggle at the end. As you insert these bolts into the wall, the butterfly toggle will attach to the back of your drywall and hold on to the entire panel for support. But just like with the drywall anchors, keep the weight of your TV in mind.

A molly bolt is another type of hollow wall anchor. While they can be a little more challenging to use than a drywall anchor or toggle bolt, they tend to offer greater strength and support. These bolts will remain thin as they are untightened, and as you screw them into the wall, they expand and anchor to the backside of your drywall.

A TV mounting plate is another great alternative when studs are not available to hang your television. They may not look as appealing or seamless as some other methods of hanging your TV, but they help distribute the weight better, providing more support and making it easier to anchor your TV without studs.

Once you decide to mount your TV, consider what you are going to do with all of the cords. There are a few ways you can manage messy cables for a seamless look. Cord clips can help keep your cables together and out of sight. Simply attach them to the backside of your furniture, and run your cables down, attaching them to the clips to keep them secure. If you have a lot of cords running to devices like your DVD player or gaming systems, you can snake them through a cable channel to keep them hidden. For a real seamless look, you can even paint the channel the same color as the wall. Another option is to drill a hole behind your TV to run the cables behind the wall and keep them out of sight altogether.

As you are working through these steps to mount your TV, keep in mind not only that your new television is delicate and can be quite fragile, but that it is also easy to injure yourself. Take safety precautions to protect yourself and your valuables during this process. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

• Always make sure you have two people handling the TV. Mounting your new television is not a one-person job.
• Before unboxing your TV, ensure there is somewhere clean, soft, and flat for you to lay it.
• Do not pinch the TV screen when carrying it. Place your hands at the top and bottom to avoid damage.
• Take note of your TV’s weight and the strength of your hardware
• Avoid over-tightening screws on your tv and mounting bracket.
• Always follow the instruction guide that comes with both your TV and your mount.

Now that you know how to safely mount your TV, you can gather your supplies, grab a friend to help, and get started. In no time, you’ll be able to sit back, relax, and have the perfect movie night with your new setup. Just don’t forget the snacks!