How to Mount a TV Over a Fireplace With Wires in Drywall

Positioning a television over a fireplace creates a homey, comfortable environment with the bonus of enjoying a warm fire. Thanks to the advantages of flat-screen televisions, wall mounting a television is a simple process that eliminates the need for extra furniture such as television stands. A wall-mounted television does require some cosmetic enhancements to hide the wires of the flat screen. Using a cord cover kit is one method of disguising wires. For electric and gas fireplaces, drilling through the drywall and hiding the wires in the wall is another solution.

Magnetic screwdriver with Phillips and slotted bits
TV wall-mount kit (screws, bolts, 2 mounting arms and wide wall bracket plate)
Stud finder
Pencil
Hammer
Nails
Tape measure
Level
Power drill
Fine-toothed hacksaw
Cord hole cover kit

Instructions

- 1
  Take off the television stand from the flat-screen before wall mounting. Locate the mounting holes on the back of the flat-screen. Use the screwdriver to remove the protective covers from the flat-screen’s mounting holes. Place the mounting arms from the wall-mount kit into the mounting holes. Secure the mounting arms with bolts from the wall-mount kit. Check to ensure the mounting arms are the same height. Gently prop the flat-screen aside, with the screen facing upwards.
- 2
  Locate the studs above the fireplace with the stud finder. Record their location with a pencil mark on the wall. Hammer a nail into the spot to test for a stud. Measure the height of the fireplace from the floor up. Think about positioning the flat-screen 4 to 12 inches above the fireplace, if the fireplace height measures less than four feet. Consider installing the television 4 to 6 inches above the fireplace if the fireplace is higher than four feet.
- 3
  Measure the distance between the top and bottom holes for each mounting arm with the tape measure. Mark the measurements on the wall, over a stud, where you want to mount the flat-screen. Use a level to ensure the mounting holes are even. Drill holes in the wall for the wall bracket screws. Attach the wall bracket plate to the wall, using the screws from the mounting kit.
- 4
  Call an electrician to install a recessed outlet, an electrical outlet with an inner nook that hides bulky power plugs. Ask the electrician to place the outlet behind where you will mount the flat-screen.
- 5
  Measure the wires for the flat-screen. Mark the locations where the wires will enter and exit the wall. Drill the two holes in the wall. Feed the flat-screen wires into the top entrance hole and back through the bottom exit hole. Use the cord hole cover kit to mask the two holes in the drywall.
- 6
  Connect the wires to the television and plug the flat-screen into the recessed outlet. Pick up the flat-screen with the help of another person and place it on the wall mount. Instruct a third person to lock the mounting arms into place on the wall bracket. Make sure the mounting arms fit securely. Tug on the flat-screen gently to test the installation. Check if the flat-screen works by turning it on.

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