How to Wall-Mount a TV Safely on Any Wall
1 May 2026 · 5 min read
Stud, plasterboard, dot-and-dab, solid brick — the right fixings for each, and the mistakes to avoid.
We re-mount more wrongly-mounted TVs than we mount fresh ones. Almost every failure is caused by the same thing: not knowing what's behind the plasterboard before drilling.
Step 1 — Read the wall
Most modern UK new-builds: timber stud and plasterboard. Older homes around Horsham: solid brick with plaster, sometimes dot-and-dab plasterboard glued onto brick. Each needs a different fixing.
Step 2 — Match the fixing to the wall
- Stud wall — screw directly through the bracket into the timber. Best option, period.
- Brick — quality plugs and screws long enough to reach 50–60 mm of solid brick.
- Dot-and-dab — long fixings that reach the brick behind, or specific dot-and-dab anchors that bridge the void.
- Plasterboard alone — heavy-duty toggles only, and only for very small TVs. We usually advise against it.
Step 3 — Hide the cables properly
Either tuck them behind the screen with a cable cover, or chase them inside the wall down to a low-level recessed power and HDMI plate. The second looks much tidier, but only if your wall type allows.
Step 4 — Level it twice, drill once
Mark the bracket with a long spirit level, then check it once more before drilling. A TV that's 2 mm out at the top is 6 mm out across a 65-inch screen — instantly visible.