DIY LCD TV Wall Mount

Remove the base from the television if it's not already off. Locate the mounting holes on the back of the television and measure how far apart they are. There are probably four of them, two on either side of the back of the set. Write down the measurements and go to the electronics or hardware store. Either should have a selection of suitable television wall mounts in the section where they sell antennas, TV cable and connectors.

Buy a mounting bracket that fits your television. There are two basic styles of mounts. One pulls the television flat against the wall or gives it a slight downward angle for viewing. The other mounts the television on an extension away from the wall so that it can be turned to get multiple viewing angles. These extended mounts work best for corner-mounted televisions.

Set up your television against a wall and determine the limits of its viewing angle. Consumer Reports notes that LCD televisions' optimal viewing angles vary from set to set. Some may lose brightness depending on the angle, while others are more vulnerable to up and down angles. An extended mount might be more appropriate to sets with poorer side-angle viewing since you can pivot them on the mount toward where most of the viewers are sitting. For up/down angle viewing quality loss, a wall mount that angles the screen downward slightly toward the viewer works better. If the LCD screen picture remains clear enough to cover all the viewer seats in the room, simply hang it flat on the wall.

Find and mark the wall studs in the area where you want to hang the LCD screen. Pass the stud-finder back and forth over the wall and watch for the indicator to jump. It may take several passes. Most stud-finders look for nail heads that are spaced up and down the wall under the plaster.

Push the wall mount bracket or brackets up against the wall and align the screw holes with the marks for the studs. Screw the bracket into the wall with a 3-1/2 inch screw with a washer behind it. Make sure the screw bites into the underlying wood stud. If all of the mounting holes cannot reach into a wooden stud, unscrew all the screws on the mount. Drill a quarter-inch hole through the plaster or panel behind the mounting hole. Push a toggle bolt with a flat washer through the mounting hole on the wall mount. Screw the spring-loaded "wings" of the toggle bolt onto the very end of the bolt. Push the "wings" through the hole till they clear the wall and extend, then push the wall mount flat against the wall and tighten the toggle bolt with your drill's screwdriver bit. Do the same on each hole that doesn't reach a stud. Redrive the screws that do reach the stud behind the wall. At least half the mounting screws should be into a solid stud to carry the weight of the television.

Lift the television onto the wall mount brackets. There will be a simple secondary mounting bracket that screws into the mounting holes on the back of the television or the set will have wall-mount holes or openings molded into the back of the case that fit onto the wall mount. The television should lift onto the wall bracket and mount securely. If the bracket swivels left or right, up or down, there will be a set screw or wing nut to secure the mount from moving. Adjust the television to the optimal viewing angle and tighten the set screw or nut. Attach the cord to the television and run it to the nearest wall socket. Cover the cord with decorative trim if desired.