What You Need

  • TV wall mount bracket compatible with your TV’s VESA pattern (check the back of your TV or the manual for the bolt hole measurements)
  • Stud finder
  • Drill and drill bits
  • Spirit level
  • Tape measure
  • A helper (TV mounting is significantly easier with two people)

Step-by-Step

  1. 1

    Find the studs

    Use a stud finder to locate the timber studs inside the wall. Mark their centres with a pencil. Studs are typically 450mm or 600mm apart in Australian construction. The TV bracket must be bolted into at least two studs — never mount a TV into plasterboard alone without toggling bolts, as the weight will pull it out over time.

  2. 2

    Determine the mounting height

    The centre of the TV screen should be at eye level when seated — typically 100–115cm from the floor to the screen centre. Mark this height on the wall. Hold the bracket up and check the holes align with your stud marks, adjusting height as needed.

  3. 3

    Mark and drill pilot holes

    Mark the bracket bolt holes on the wall. Double-check with a spirit level that the marks are perfectly level. Drill pilot holes slightly smaller than your lag bolts into the stud centres.

  4. 4

    Bolt the wall plate to the wall

    Hold the bracket wall plate in position and drive the lag bolts through the bracket into the studs. Tighten firmly. Check the bracket is level with the spirit level. Give it a firm tug to confirm it is rock solid before hanging the TV.

  5. 5

    Attach the TV arms to the TV

    Lay the TV face-down on a soft surface (the original foam packaging works well). Attach the mounting arms to the VESA bolt holes on the back of the TV using the bolts provided. Ensure they are tight.

  6. 6

    Hang the TV with your helper

    With a helper, lift the TV and hook the arms onto the wall bracket. Most brackets have a locking mechanism — ensure it clicks into place. Step back and check the TV is level. Thread cables through the cable channel if provided.

Hiding cablesRaceway cable covers (plastic channels that stick to the wall, $15–30) hide cables neatly without in-wall work. For a truly clean installation, an in-wall cable kit routes cables through the wall cavity — requires cutting the wall but looks professional. Not suitable near structural elements or where wiring may be present (use a stud finder that also detects wiring before cutting).

Frequently Asked Questions

The bracket itself is rated for a maximum weight (check the product specifications). More importantly, the mounting into studs must be sufficient for the load. Two 70mm lag bolts into solid timber studs can support well over 100kg — far more than any TV. The limiting factor is usually the plasterboard in between studs, which is why you must mount into studs and not just plasterboard.
VESA (Video Electronics Standards Association) defines the standard spacing of the four bolt holes on the back of TVs and monitors. Common TV VESA patterns: 200x200mm, 400x400mm, 600x400mm. Check your TV manual or measure the hole spacing on the back of your TV. Your mount must match (or be adjustable to) your TV’s VESA pattern.