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Where to mount your TV – and where not to
As you begin to unpack boxes in your new home, or unbox that new flat-screen TV you’ve just purchased for your existing home, you start to look at your living room an a whole new light. Suddenly you’re paying attention to things like lighting angles, open wall space and which walls look sturdy enough to hold a 30+ pound TV.
Assuming your home wasn’t custom built to meet your TV’s exact specifications, finding a new home for your primary source of entertainment can be a bit of a struggle.
Many newer homes seem to have a predesignated space for the TV that is incredibly obvious. Homes on the older side may not have a space that really works for mounting a flat screen. After all, flat-screen technology has only been mainstream for about 20 years.
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While it may seem fortunate to live in a newer home where the builder has essentially made your TV placement decision for you, there’s a good chance it won’t be in the location you prefer. It may even be in a location that can cause problems for both your household TV viewers and the TV itself.
Whether your home is newly built, or passed down for generations, these tips can help you to find the perfect place to mount your TV, and where not to.
Mounting your TV the traditional way
When it comes to mounting your TV in your living room, right across from the couch in a traditional fashion, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. First, take a look at the lighting and how it hits the wall you plan to mount on throughout the course of a day. Will the light cause a glare at any point during your Sunday Netflix marathon? Don’t forget to consider not just the sunlight coming in, but the placement of the lamps as well.
The wall you’re mounting the TV to is also an important factor. If it’s brick, mounting that bad boy is going to be a much bigger challenge than with drywall. On the other hand, if you’ve just brought home a 60-inch TV and you’re mounting on drywall, you’ll need to make sure to find the studs and get the right tools for the job to keep things tight and secure.
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Of course comfort is arguably the most important consideration of all. No one wants to sit with their neck tweaked just to watch the latest episode of their favorite sitcom, let alone a movie marathon. Keep the height and angle in mind when selecting your new TV location. You’ll be glad you did.
Unique places to mount your TV
While most of us have a TV in the living room, there are so many other unique and exciting places to mount your TV. Let’s start with the kitchen. Whoever came up with the idea of putting a TV in the kitchen deserves some serious credit. You can follow right along with cooking shows to make dazzling new dishes, catch up on your favorite series while cooking dinner, or learn something new by watching a documentary while you do the dishes.
Another out-of-the-box place to mount your TV isn’t in your house at all … it’s outside! If you love entertaining outside – grilling burgers, hanging out by the pool, or hosting kids’ birthday parties – it’s a wonderful addition. Of course, you’ll need to keep weather and outdoor elements in mind when choosing the location.
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Other great places to showcase that shiny new flat screen include your home gym, man cave, she-shed and maybe even the bathroom – so you can enjoy long relaxing baths paired with a delightful Rom-Com.
Where not to mount your TV
There are two main factors to consider when determining where not to mount your flat-screen TV: Safety and comfort. We already talked about comfort and ensuring that your TV is at an angle that is comfortable to watch, but what about safety?
First, you’ll want to consider safety in regard to the people actually watching the TV. Is it in a location where is can be safely and securely mounted? Will it cause a hazard of any kind? It may seem silly but making sure that no one is going to lean against it only to have it come crashing down is definitely worth considering.
Secondly, you’ll want to consider the safety of the TV itself. Is it too close to the ground allowing your pet or toddler to do some significant damage? Is the outlet so far away that the dangling cord can cause a hazard for both the viewers and the device?
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Is it OK to mount a TV over a fireplace?
There are two arguments against mounting a TV over the fireplace. One is practical and the other is personal preference.
Some say fireplace smoke and heat are bad for electronics. Others say, so what? I replace my TV every two years anyway. We say to be on the safe side, check with your electrician or an audio/visual installation expert to make sure the environment is cool enough for your TV.
The other argument is more feng shui or zen-like. The argument says the TV deters from the beauty of the fireplace being at the heart of your home.
Whatever. When you mount your TV, you do you.
Ultimately, the way you use your TV is a very personal decision. It’s important to weigh the pros and cons of each, but the best outcome is to find a solution that helps you to get the highest possible level of enjoyment while ensuring safety and comfort along the way.
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