Choosing the right TV wall mount involves more than just attaching your television to the wall and hoping for the best. Experience shows that different rooms demand completely different approaches, as a setup that works in one space may not be suitable for another. Your living room setup won’t work in the bedroom, and what works there will be absolutely useless in the kitchen.
The truth is, most people grab whatever mount looks cheapest on Amazon without considering how they’ll actually USE their TV in each space. It’s a common mistake to buy a fixed mount for a bedroom, only to realise that the screen isn’t visible when lying down—a frustrating and avoidable outcome.
Understanding the Fundamentals of TV Mounts
Fixed, Tilt, or Full-Motion? Understanding Mount Types
Before we get into specific rooms, let’s talk about the three main types of mounts you’ll encounter. This quick overview will help you understand the core differences in TV wall mount functionality and price.
- Fixed Mounts: These are the simplest option. Your TV stays put once it’s mounted, offering a slim, affordable solution that’s perfect when you have a fixed viewing position.
- Tilt Mounts: These allow you to angle the screen up or down. This feature is brilliant for reducing glare or adjusting the viewing angle when your TV is mounted higher than eye level.
- Full-Motion Mounts: Often called articulating mounts, these are the Swiss Army knives of TV mounting. They swing out, tilt, and rotate, giving you maximum flexibility for any room layout.
Matching Your Mount to Your TV’s Size and Weight
The size of your TV dramatically affects which mount types are practical.
Smaller screens (32-43 inches) work with any mount type, giving you maximum flexibility. They’re light enough that even basic full-motion mounts can handle them reliably.
Mid-size TVs (50-65 inches) start to get heavy, and the larger surface area catches more air when you’re adjusting full-motion mounts. They work fine with quality articulating mounts, but cheap ones might feel flimsy or unstable.
Large screens (70+ inches) are substantial pieces of equipment that require serious consideration. While full-motion mounts exist for these sizes, they’re expensive and need rock-solid wall mounting. Fixed mounts often make more sense for TVs this large—they’re more stable and less likely to develop wobbles over time.
Always check the weight rating of your chosen mount and compare it to your TV’s actual weight. You can find the TV manufacturers’ specs in the manual or online, so don’t just assume everything will be fine. Verifying this information is a crucial step for a safe and secure installation.
Key Factors: Installation and Wall Types
Solid Brick and Concrete Walls
Your wall type significantly impacts which mounts you can safely use. Solid brick or concrete walls can handle any mount type without issues. These walls offer robust support for heavy TVs and full-motion mounts.
Plasterboard Wall Installation
Plasterboard walls (most common in modern homes) require careful consideration. You’ll need to hit the wooden studs behind the plasterboard for secure mounting. Full-motion mounts put more stress on the mounting points due to leverage, so they need extra attention to proper installation.
Dealing with Cavity Walls
Cavity walls can be tricky, especially older ones with irregular stud spacing. Sometimes you might need to install additional bracing between studs for heavier mounts. Plasterboard fixings alone, when trusted to hold a heavy TV, have been known to fail spectacularly in DIY installations.
If you’re not confident about your wall type or installation, get help from a local professional like Mike Harris. The cost is a worthwhile investment to prevent potential damage to your property and equipment.
A Room-by-Room Guide to TV Mounting
Optimising Your Living Room TV Mount
The living room is typically where you’ll spend the most time watching TV, so getting this right matters. Most living rooms are well-suited for fixed mounts because there is typically a primary seating area where the sofa faces the TV, creating a straightforward viewing arrangement. The key is mounting at the correct height so the centre of the screen sits at eye level when you’re seated.
However, if you’ve got an open-plan living space or multiple seating areas, a full-motion mount might be worth considering. For example, homes with an L-shaped sofa configuration benefit from an articulating mount, which can be swung to face different parts of the room depending on the seating arrangement.
Tackling Window Glare
One thing to watch out for in living rooms is glare from windows. If you’ve got large windows opposite your TV wall, a tilt mount can help angle the screen to reduce reflections. There is nothing more frustrating than trying to watch a favourite show while squinting through a window glare.
Supporting Heavy TVs
Living rooms often feature the largest TVs, so please ensure that your selected mount can support the weight. A cheap mount can easily fail under the weight of a 65-inch screen, resulting in an expensive and avoidable mistake.
Finding the Perfect TV Mount for Your Bedroom
Bedrooms present unique challenges because you’re viewing from multiple positions—sitting up, lying down, or lounging at various angles. Fixed mounts rarely work well here unless your TV is positioned perfectly for your bed height and angle.
Tilt mounts often represent the most practical choice for bedrooms. They allow you to angle the screen down slightly when you’re lying in bed, creating a much more comfortable viewing experience that eliminates the need to prop oneself up with pillows.
Full-motion mounts can be excellent in bedrooms, particularly if you’ve got a chair or dressing table area where you might occasionally watch TV. Being able to swing the screen around gives you flexibility for different activities.
Consider the height carefully in bedrooms. Many people mount their bedroom TV too high, thinking it needs to be out of the way. But if it’s too high, you’ll strain your neck even with a tilt mount. The bottom of the screen should ideally be at or slightly below eye level when you’re sitting up in bed.
Solving TV Mounting Challenges in the Kitchen
Kitchens present a unique challenge for TV mounting. You’re often moving around, working at different stations, and dealing with limited wall space. Fixed mounts can work if you’ve got a clear viewing area like a breakfast bar or dining nook, but they’re limiting.
This is where full-motion mounts really shine. For awkward layouts, consulting a professional installer can reveal solutions, such as using a full-motion mount in a corner. Such an arrangement allows the screen to be seen from anywhere in the room, providing a solution that might not have been considered otherwise.
The ability to swing the TV towards the cooking area when you’re preparing meals, then rotate it towards the dining table for breakfast, is incredibly useful. It is also important to mount it high enough to avoid cooking splatter.
Kitchen TVs are often smaller (typically 32–43 inches), which makes full-motion mounts more practical. The lighter weight means less stress on the mounting system when you’re adjusting positions.
Essential TV Mounting Tips and FAQs
Balancing Budget and Quality in TV Mounts
TV mounts span a huge price range, from £20 budget options to £200+ premium models. While the temptation is to go cheap, TV mounts are a product worth investing in properly. Entrusting an £800 TV to a £30 mount introduces unnecessary risk.
When balancing your budget, consider that you are investing in safety and reliability. Here’s a general breakdown of what to expect:
- Fixed Mounts (£40-£60): These offer the best value due to their simple mechanics. Fewer moving parts mean fewer potential failure points, and quality options in this range will hold large TVs securely for years.
- Tilt Mounts (£50-£80): Sitting in the middle ground, the tilting mechanism adds some complexity. Look for models with smooth operation and solid locking positions to ensure stability.
- Full-Motion Mounts (£80-£150+): This category is where quality really matters. Investing in a reliable model is crucial, as cheaper options can develop wobbles, stick during adjustment, or even fail completely.
Don’t forget to factor in cable management. Some mounts include cable routing features; others don’t. Running cables neatly can add to your installation cost if you need additional accessories.
Making the Final Decision: Your Perfect TV Mount
Selecting the ideal TV wall mount is an investment in your daily viewing pleasure, with the ideal choice largely influenced by your specific room layout, viewing habits, and TV size. Fixed mounts work brilliantly in traditional living rooms, tilt mounts elegantly solve height and glare issues, and full-motion mounts provide maximum flexibility, albeit at a cost premium.
The goal is to match the tech to your lifestyle, ensuring every moment spent in front of the screen is comfortable and perfectly tailored to you.
Take time to consider how you actually use each room, including the lighting changes throughout the day and any potential furniture rearrangements. Quality matters far more than saving a few pounds, as a reliable mount protects your investment and prevents what could become a daily annoyance.
By assessing your walls, budgeting for a quality product, and consulting professionals when in doubt, you can select a solution that works reliably for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions About TV Wall Mounts
What is the best height to mount a TV?
For the most comfortable viewing experience, the centre of the TV screen should be at eye level when you are seated. In bedrooms, this might be slightly lower to accommodate a reclining position.
Can I mount a heavy TV on a plasterboard wall?
Yes, but it is crucial to locate the wooden studs behind the plasterboard and fix the mount directly to them. Never rely on plasterboard fixings alone for a heavy television, especially with a full-motion mount.
Do I really need a full-motion mount?
A full-motion mount is ideal for rooms with multiple viewing areas, open-plan layouts, or corner installations. If you have a single, dedicated seating area directly opposite the TV, a fixed or tilt mount is often sufficient.
How do I deal with window glare on my TV screen?
A tilt mount is an excellent solution for combating glare. It allows you to angle the screen downwards, away from the light source, significantly improving picture quality during the day.
