Mounting a TV looks simple — find a spot, drill a couple of holes, hang it. The part that actually matters happens before any of that, and it’s the part most YouTube videos skip.
What actually holds the weight
A TV mount is only as strong as what it’s screwed into. Drywall alone will not hold a modern flat-screen — you need to land the mount’s bracket on wall studs (usually 16” apart) or, on brick or stone, use masonry-rated anchors sized for the TV’s weight. A stud finder and a level are the two tools that matter most here; skip either one and you end up with a crooked TV or a mount that pulls loose months later.
Check the weight and VESA pattern first
Every mount is rated for a maximum weight, and every TV has a VESA hole pattern on the back that has to match the mount’s bracket. Buying a mount before checking both is the most common mistake — it either doesn’t fit or isn’t rated heavy enough for the TV.
Hiding the cables
This is the difference between a mount that looks finished and one that looks like a project. Two options:
- In-wall kit — routes the cables inside the wall cavity to a low-profile outlet near the floor. Cleanest look, works on most drywall installs.
- Cord raceway — a paintable channel that runs down the wall on the surface. Used when in-wall routing isn’t possible (concrete, tile backsplash, fire-rated walls, etc.)
When to call a handyman instead
A flat mount into drywall studs is a reasonable weekend project if you’re comfortable with a stud finder and don’t mind drilling a couple of test holes. It’s worth calling in help when:
- You’re mounting on brick, stone, or a fireplace surround
- The TV is large (65”+) or unusually heavy
- There’s no stud in the right spot and you need an alternative solution
- You want the cables hidden and don’t want to cut into drywall yourself
- You’d rather not find out the hard way whether the anchor holds
Need a TV mounted in Apex, Cary, Holly Springs, Morrisville, or Raleigh? See my TV mounting service or call/text (919) 704-0373 for a free estimate — most mounts are done same visit, wires hidden, dead level.