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You just bought a new TV for your home. Now you’ll need to mount it.

Mounting a flat panel TV on the wall is one of those jobs where a little know-how can save you a lot of money. Professional installation costs $150 to $350, plus the price of the mount itself. But if you can handle some precise measuring and drive a few screws, you can do a first-class DIY job in about an hour.

We’ll show you how, plus sift through the confusing variety of mounts to help you choose the version that’s best for your situation.

While you’re at it, check out our list of decorative TV wall ideas that will add an aesthetically pleasing element to your home.

TV mount styles

Don’t be overwhelmed by all the wall-mount makes and models. They’re all just variations of four basic styles: fixed, swivel, tilt and full motion.

The style mainly differ in how much they allow you to adjust the position of the screen. Adjustments can eliminate glare and increase viewing comfort, but it’s most important for picture quality.

Like a computer screen, the picture on a TV screen is clearest when viewed straight on. So a mount that offers more adjustability gives you a clearer picture in more situations, and may even increase your options for where you can place the TV.

Fixed mount

  • Fixed mounts hold the TV close to the wall.
  • The downside? They don’t allow tilting or other adjustments. So if you plan to place your TV far above eye level, a fixed mount isn’t the best choice.

Swivel

  • Swivel mounts are similar to fixed mounts in that viewing is best when hung at eye level.
  • It can move left and right to help with viewing on either side of the room.

Tilt

  • Tilting mounts let you place the TV above eye level or change the angle to suit the situation.
  • It tilts up and down, helpful if you are watching TV from the floor one day and a sofa the next.

Full motion

  • Full motion mounts let you tilt, swivel, pan and extend the TV. The latter means you can pull the TV away from the wall and turn it to the left or right to face the viewer.
  • These can mount on the wall or in a recessed box as shown.
  • The mount’s arm folds into the box, bringing the TV as close to the wall as a low-profile mount. The box also provides a neat exit point for in-wall wiring.

Depending on the type of mount you purchased, the steps could look a little different, so always check the instructions before diving into the project.

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