# How to Mount a TV on the Wall (and Hide the Cables) > Learn how to mount a TV on the wall, choose the right height and hide the cables neatly. A practical guide from your local TV Wall Mounting handyman. URL: https://handymanbirmingham.uk/guides/how-to-mount-a-tv-on-the-wall/ Few jobs nag at you quite like a television that's still sitting on a unit with a tangle of wires behind it. If you're wondering how to mount a TV on the wall properly, the short version is this: find out what your wall is made of, pick a bracket that suits your TV and wall, fix it into something solid, and plan the cables before you drill. At [Thompson's - Local Handyman Services l Odd Job Man](https://handymanbirmingham.uk/), we cover Birmingham, Solihull and Sutton Coldfield, and this guide walks through each step in plain terms. ## Start with the wall, not the bracket **What should I check before choosing a bracket?** Check what the wall is made of and where the TV's weight will be held. Solid brick or block walls take heavy fixings well. Plasterboard on a timber or metal frame is different: the fixings must go into the frame, or be a type made for hollow walls. Here's how to find out what you're dealing with: - **Tap the wall.** A dull, solid sound suggests masonry. A hollow sound suggests plasterboard. - **Use a stud and pipe detector.** It helps you find timber studs and warns you about metal or live cables before you drill. Treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. - **Check the TV's weight and VESA pattern.** Both are in the TV's manual or on the manufacturer's website. The VESA pattern is the spacing of the four mounting holes on the back. The bracket must be rated for your TV's weight and match that pattern. If you can't tell what's behind the wall, or the detector keeps giving mixed signals, don't guess. Get someone to look at it. ## Choosing the right type of mount and the right height **How high should I mount my TV?** As a general rule, the middle of the screen should sit roughly at eye level when you're seated. In most living rooms that's lower than people expect, and well below the height of a typical fireplace. Sit where you normally watch, ask someone to hold the TV up, and check it feels comfortable before drilling. Getting the basics right first saves a lot of patching later. There are three common bracket types: - **Fixed:** holds the TV flat to the wall. Neat and low-profile, but you can't adjust the angle. - **Tilting:** lets you angle the screen down slightly. Useful if the TV has to go higher than ideal. - **Full-motion (swing arm):** lets you pull the TV out and turn it. Handy in corner spots or open-plan rooms, though it puts more leverage on the wall fixings. Planning to go above a fireplace? Think about heat and neck angle. Check the manufacturer's guidance for the TV, and consider whether a lower spot would be more comfortable for long viewing. ## How to wall mount a TV without cords showing **Can I hide the cables completely?** Yes, but how you do it depends on the wall and how tidy you want the finish. Options range from a simple cover on the wall surface to cables run inside the wall. A surface route is simple. An in-wall route looks cleaner but needs more care. **Surface trunking.** A slim paintable channel runs from the TV down to the socket or TV unit. It's the least disruptive option and suits rented homes where you don't want to open up walls. **In-wall routing.** Cables pass through the wall behind the TV and come out lower down. Look for an in-wall cable kit made for the purpose, because ordinary mains flex shouldn't simply be pushed inside a wall. Moving or adding power sockets is electrical work, and that's a job for a qualified electrician. We don't take on electrical work, but we're happy to fit the bracket and tidy the low-voltage cables (HDMI, aerial and similar) around it. **Soundbars and boxes.** Where will your games console, streaming box and soundbar sit? A shelf below the TV, or a fixing point on the wall, means fewer wires trailing across the room. Mark where cables will run and check there are no pipes or wires in that route before you drill. A detector helps, but it doesn't remove every risk. ## When it's worth getting help **Is it worth paying someone to mount a TV?** It can be, particularly for larger or heavier screens, plasterboard walls, or when you want the cables hidden. A TV is heavy and awkward to lift alone, and a poorly fixed bracket can bring it down. No two walls are the same, and a job done properly is worth the cost if you'd rather not take that risk. Our [TV Wall Mounting](https://handymanbirmingham.uk/tv-wall-mounting/) service covers fitting the bracket, hanging the TV and tidying the cables. Evening visits run until 9pm, Monday to Friday, and we can quote several small jobs together, so shelves, curtain poles or a picture hung at the same visit can go on the same list. We'll tell you plainly if a job needs an electrician for new sockets. ## Key takeaways - Work out your wall type and your TV's weight and VESA pattern before buying a bracket. - Aim for the centre of the screen at seated eye level, then check it by holding the TV up first. - Surface trunking is the simplest way to hide cables; in-wall routing looks neater but needs the right kit. - New or moved power sockets need an electrician. - If you're unsure about the wall or the weight, ask for help before drilling. ## Get a hand with the job If you'd like the TV up on the wall and the cables out of sight, [TV Wall Mounting](https://handymanbirmingham.uk/tv-wall-mounting/) is a good place to start, or simply Call [0121 330 2052](tel:+441213302052) and tell us what's on your list. ## Frequently asked questions ### Can a TV be mounted on a plasterboard wall? Yes, if the fixings are right. The bracket should be screwed into timber studs or a metal frame behind the board, or use fixings designed for hollow walls and rated for the weight. Plasterboard alone won't hold a TV safely with ordinary screws. Check the bracket and fixing ratings first. ### Can I mount a TV in a rented home? Often you can, but check your tenancy agreement and ask your landlord first, as drilling is a change to the property. Alternatives include a floor stand or a TV unit. GOV.UK has guidance on renting in England if you're unsure of your rights. ### How do I stop wires hanging below a wall-mounted TV? Run the cables inside slim trunking painted to match the wall, or use an in-wall cable kit for low-voltage leads. Keep mains cables separate from aerial and HDMI leads where you can. If you want a socket moved behind the TV, you'll need an electrician. --- Thompson's - Local Handyman Services l Odd Job Man · 0121 330 2052 (+441213302052) · Get a Quote: https://handymanbirmingham.uk/contact/