If you’re reading this article, congratulations. You either did enough solid handiwork around the house to merit a cameo on this year’s ‘Nice List’ or have generous friends and family members who pulled out all the stops in their own versions of holiday giving. Now that the gift is out of the bubble wrap and on the living room floor, the real question is how to get that thing mounted on the wall where it belongs so you can get the sports and Blu-ray action underway and forget about the cold weather. Lucky for you, the days of 3-foot deep projector TV sets has gone the wayside with Barney Rubble and foot-powered automobiles, but there are still a few things to look out for when planning the mount, and this how-to guide is here to help you out.

1. It’s The Mount That Counts: The most important step is the initial selection of the wall mount itself. Most major television brands should be VESA compatible (an industry standard for compatibility), but it’s a good idea to check the owner’s manual to be sure. If not, read the specific details on the TV’s mounting specs and see what kind of adapter plate will be needed. As far as wall mount styles, there are a ton of options to choose from. From standard flat wall mounts to pivot mounts that allow for a wider range of motion, there is a mount to fit every need. Keep in mind that even though flexible mounts such as pivot mounts look awesome, they support less weight than their sturdier back-to-the-wall counterparts. Check the manual for exact weight/mounting specs.
2. Location, Location, Location: Ever watch a movie at home only to find your own face mirrored in the center of the action? As cool as it might seem to be projected onto the big screen, glare is actually really annoying; and so is having to remount your TV if you pick a bad location first time around. When choosing a location, keep in mind the way that light comes into the room at different times of the day and think about how it will affect the TV image. Before digging into the drywall, be sure to also consider the ideal viewing height to keep necks from straining, and plan how you will run wires from the TV to the entertainment center.
3. The On-Deck Circle: After selecting a bracket and choosing a location, it’s time to attach the mount. Each set-up will vary a bit, but most consist of two main features: a TV-bracket and a wall mount. When attaching the TV-bracket, try to avoid laying the flat screen facedown as this can damage the screen. Also, remember that the mounting holes on the back of the TV are usually hidden, look for them, you can easily use a screwdriver to pop off the covers. For the wall mount, the first step is to use a stud finder to locate the wall studs, as drywall alone will crumble under the weight of a TV. Once this is done, use a level to measure and mark the entry points. Double check that the wall space is large enough to accommodate the TV.
4. Hang‘em Up: Once all is purchased, measured and primed, the mounting is the easy part. Secure both mount fixtures and you’re ready to hang the star of the show. Hopefully the TV is too big to hang yourself, so why not call a few friends to help in advance? Ask them to help with the final step so you can celebrate with Die Hard or Predator in HD.

Just don’t forget to thaw out some burgers to feed those friends that came over to help.

If you received a flat screen over the holidays, share a photo with us after you’re done mounting the TV. Need some more help? Check out this how-to video.

TIP: WD-40_® Multi-Use Product can be used to protect drywall tools and prevent “mud” from sticking to the metal.