Where to mount your TV

Obviously, your TV needs to be easily, comfortably viewable from your couch and other viewing spots. But what other factors should you take into consideration? Below, we've addressed two key points that are often overlooked.

Height
Ideally, the middle of your TV screen needs to be at about eye level while you're seated. You'll want to be comfortable while watching TV, and mounting it too high can result in neck strain. Plus, you'll probably see the best-looking picture when you view your TV head-on, rather than at an angle.

However, lots of folks find that mounting their TV that way looks too low, and move the TV up so that the middle of the screen is around standing eye level. If you do opt for a higher mount, try adjusting your seating to compensate. Move your couch further back so that you don't have to look up at such a steep angle, or recline when you're watching TV. You might also consider using a tilting wall mount to angle the TV down — you'll see a better-looking picture when you view the screen straight on, rather than at an angle.

Screen glare
Sit in your favorite TV-watching spot and look at the place on the wall where you plan to mount your TV. Is there light reflecting off that area? If so, is it something fixable (by closing the curtains, or by moving a lamp)? Screen glare can be distracting, and detract from an otherwise beautiful picture, so be aware of potential sources of glare. A tilting or swiveling mount can also help you cut down on glare, by allowing you to angle the TV's screen away from the light source.

See our article on TV placement for more tips on placing your TV for optimum viewing.

Where you're going to run the wires

There are a number of ways to conceal your power and A/V cables — from quick and simple cover-ups to more labor-intensive in-wall options. It's a good idea to figure out how you'd like to manage your wires before deciding where to mount your TV, since some spots may be more conducive to your preferred method than others. You'll find an overview of some common options below. Also, check out these illustrations to get an idea of what's involved with some of these methods.

• If you'd like to run your wires on the outside of your wall, but avoid that tangled, unattractive look, you're in luck. You can use paintable cable management raceways that attach to your wall. They'll hide your TV's A/V and power cables between your set and an A/V cabinet below.

Easy-to-install cable management raceways hide your TV's A/V and power cables between your set and an A/V cabinet below.

• If you need to run cables further than just straight down to your A/V cabinet, check out our article on managing your A/V cables for some simple options, like running wire behind your baseboard or crown molding. By running your cables in places that won't require drywall repair, you'll save yourself lots of time and effort.
• If you want a really clean, professional look, and you feel comfortable with the tasks described at the beginning of this guide, running wires inside your wall may be the option for you. There are some important things to consider before going that route:
  • Try to avoid mounting your TV on an exterior wall, since these walls have extra bracing and insulation that can make running wire difficult.
  • Obtain a copy of your local building and fire codes from your government office, and follow them. In many cases, this means you'll need to get UL-rated A/V cable labeled CL2 or CL3. The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) looks at heat generated from current flowing through wire, how quickly the cable will catch and spread fire when exposed to flame, and the wire's susceptibility to damage from external stresses.
  • An important note about your TV's power cable: If you're planning to route your A/V cables inside your wall, you might be tempted to run your TV's power cable in the wall as well. But those cables aren't designed or rated for safe in-wall use, and can pose a safety hazard. So if you want the power cable hidden, we strongly urge you to hire a licensed electrician to install a recessed AC receptacle in the wall, in a location where it will be covered by your TV, and not obstructed by the mounting bracket. You and your electrician may also want to consider an in-wall power protection unit, because these offer built-in surge protection and power conditioning. Another option is to route the A/V cable in-wall, and use a small wire raceway on the outside of your wall for the power cord.
  • See our comprehensive guide to in-wall wiring for more info.

Making sure you have enough wire
After planning where you're going to route your wire, calculate how much you'll need. Remember that it's better to have a bit too much than too little. Here's an example: