How to mount a TV on brick, concrete or plasterboard.
A TV on the wall makes any room feel bigger and tidier. The good news is that almost every wall can hold one. The secret is simple. Know what your wall is made of, then use the right fixing for it.
Find your wall type. Check for hidden cables and pipes. Fix the bracket into something solid, like brick, concrete or a timber stud. Use fixings rated for more than your TV weighs. Then check it's level before you hang the screen.
🧱 Step 1: Find out what your wall is made of
Knock on the wall. A dull, solid sound usually means brick, block or concrete. A hollow sound usually means plasterboard or old lath and plaster.
Not sure? Drill a small test hole in a spot the TV will cover. Red or grey dust means brick or concrete. White powder that stops after a centimetre means plasterboard. Soft, crumbly dust with bits of wood means old lath and plaster.
| Wall type | Where you find it | What to fix into |
|---|---|---|
| Brick or block | Older houses, party walls, warehouse conversions | The brick itself, not the mortar, with a masonry bit and solid wall plugs |
| Concrete | New-build towers and high-rise flats | The concrete, using a hammer or SDS drill and heavy-duty anchors |
| Plasterboard on timber studs | Internal walls in newer flats and offices | The timber studs, or heavy-duty cavity fixings rated for the load |
| Plasterboard stuck to brick | Many modern flats ("dot and dab") | Long fixings that go through the board into the brick behind |
| Lath and plaster | Period flats and mansion blocks | The timber studs behind, found carefully, never the plaster alone |
🔎 Step 2: Check for cables and pipes
This step keeps you safe. Cables usually run straight up, down or sideways from sockets and switches. So never drill directly above, below or beside them.
Run a cable and pipe detector over the area first. They are cheap and easy to use. Electrical Safety First has a clear guide on how to check for electrical wires in walls.
📏 Step 3: Choose the right height and bracket
Height. Sit where you normally watch. The middle of the screen should be about level with your eyes. Mark that spot with a pencil. Most people mount their TV too high.
Bracket. Check two things on the box. The bracket must fit your TV's fixing holes, known as the VESA size. And it must be rated for more than your TV weighs.
- Fixed bracket: slim and simple. Best when you sit straight in front.
- Tilting bracket: good if the TV sits a little high or catches window glare.
- Swivel arm: turns the screen to face different seats. It pulls harder on the wall, so the fixings matter even more.
🔩 Step 4: Fix the bracket to the wall
- Hold the bracket against the wall at your pencil mark.
- Use a spirit level. Mark the holes with a pencil.
- Drill to the depth of your fixings. Use a piece of tape on the drill bit as a guide.
- Clear the dust, push in the plugs or anchors and screw the bracket on tightly.
- Check the level again before you go any further.
📺 Step 5: Hang the TV and tidy the cables
Fit the mounting arms to the back of the TV. Then lift it onto the bracket with a second person. Never lift a large screen alone.
For cables, white trunking down the wall is the simplest neat finish. It can be painted to match the wall. Hiding cables inside the wall looks best, but it is a bigger job and is best left to a professional.
🏠 A few special cases
Renting?
Ask your landlord first. Most say yes if the work is neat. When you move out, the holes can be filled and painted over in minutes.
Listed building?
Some works in listed buildings need permission. Historic England explains when listed building consent is needed. If in doubt, ask your managing agent, or choose a TV stand instead.
Above a fireplace?
It can look lovely, but check first. The chimney breast may hide a flue. Heat can damage the screen. And the TV may sit too high to watch in comfort.
🧰 When to call a handyman
Mounting a TV is a satisfying DIY job on a simple wall. But it's worth calling a professional if:
- your wall is concrete, old plaster or exposed brick
- your TV is large or heavy, or you want a swivel arm
- you want the cables hidden
- you don't own a drill, a level and a detector
- you'd simply rather have it done in an hour, with no dust
That's what we do every week. Our home handyman service covers TV wall mounting across London, with evening and weekend visits. We mount TVs on concrete in Canary Wharf high-rises, on brick in lofts near London Bridge, in new flats around Old Street and on old plaster in Holborn mansion flats.
Need a screen for a meeting room? Our office handyman service mounts screens and whiteboards outside working hours. And if the wall needs a fresh coat afterwards, our painters and decorators can help.
Want your TV on the wall this week? 👋
Send us a photo of the wall and the size of your TV. We'll reply with a free, fixed price, usually the same day.
Email: infobrushandfix@gmail.com
For the quickest quote, send us
- A photo of the wall
- Your TV size and model
- Whether you have a bracket
- Your postcode
❓ TV wall mounting: your questions
Can I mount a TV on a plasterboard wall?
Yes, if you fix into the timber studs behind it or use heavy-duty cavity fixings rated for the weight. Ordinary wall plugs are not strong enough on their own.
How high should I mount my TV?
A good guide is to put the middle of the screen at eye level when you're sitting down. Sit on your sofa and mark the spot before you drill.
How do I know if there are cables behind the wall?
Use a cable and pipe detector, and avoid drilling directly above, below or beside sockets and switches, where cables usually run.
Can I mount a TV above a fireplace?
You can, but check the wall first. Chimney breasts can hide a flue, and heat can damage a TV. The screen may also sit too high to watch comfortably.
Can I mount a TV in a rented flat?
Ask your landlord first. Most agree if the work is done neatly and the holes are filled and touched up when you move out.
How long does it take a handyman to mount a TV?
Usually about an hour for a standard wall, a little longer for concrete, old plaster or hidden cables.