Choosing between TV wall mounting brackets can be confusing, especially when you’re shopping online. I’ve been mounting TVs across the Northern Beaches and North Shore since 2002. So here’s a plain guide to each type, what it suits and which one most homes end up with.
The Different Types of TV Wall Mounting Brackets
There are five main types: flat, tilting, swivel, corner and pull-down. Most homes only ever need the first one. Even so, it helps to know what the others do.
Flat brackets
A flat bracket, also called a fixed or low-profile bracket, holds the TV close to the wall. It doesn’t tilt or turn, so it gives the neatest look. It suits any room where the TV sits at eye level and you mostly watch it straight on. However, the ports on the back are harder to reach once the TV is up. That’s why I plan the cables before the TV goes on the wall.
Tilting brackets
A tilting bracket lets you angle the screen down a few degrees. Ten to fifteen years ago, these were common, because people often put 32-inch bedroom TVs up near the ceiling. Today, TVs are bigger and usually go at eye level, so I rarely need one. Still, a tilt can help when the TV has to sit higher than normal, such as above a fireplace.
Swivel (full-motion) brackets
A swivel bracket has an arm that pulls out from the wall and turns the TV. It’s also called a full-motion or articulating bracket. It’s handy in open-plan rooms, where you might watch from the couch or the kitchen bench. On the other hand, it sits further off the wall, even when you push it back. It also needs a really solid fixing, because the arm puts extra load on the wall when it’s out.
My tip is to pick an angle and leave it there. Pulling the TV in and out every day flexes the cables. Over time, that can wear out a cable or even damage a port on the TV.
Corner brackets
A corner bracket uses a full-motion arm, so the TV can sit across the corner of a room. It’s a good answer when windows, doors or wardrobes take up the straight walls, like in the bedroom below.
Pull-down brackets
A pull-down bracket suits a TV that sits up high, usually above a fireplace. You pull the screen down to eye level to watch it, then push it back up afterwards. They’re rare, and I’ve fitted just one so far. If you’re thinking about a TV above a fireplace, check the heat first. For example, Samsung says its TVs should never go above 40°C. It also suggests lighting a fire and checking the temperature before you mount the TV.
Which Bracket Suits Most Northern Beaches and North Shore Homes?
In my experience, it’s a flat bracket. In fact, about 95% of the TVs I mount go on one. Most of the rest go on a swivel bracket, usually in open-plan living and dining rooms. Before I fit anything, we look at the room together. Then we choose the height with you sitting in your usual spot.
Before You Buy TV Wall Mounting Brackets
When you’re comparing TV wall mounting brackets online, check these three things first:
VESA pattern: this is the spacing of the mounting holes on the back of your TV, such as 300 x 300mm. The bracket has to match it.
Weight and size: the bracket’s rating has to cover your TV’s weight and screen size.
Your wall: on plasterboard, the bracket has to go into the timber studs, while solid brick needs masonry fixings. I’ve covered the different wall types in more detail.
Already have a bracket from your old TV? It may still work, as long as it matches the VESA pattern and weight. Don’t worry if you’ve lost the original bolts either, because I carry all the different sizes.
Help Choosing TV Wall Mounting Brackets on the Northern Beaches or North Shore
Not sure which of these TV wall mounting brackets suits your room? Send me a few photos of your wall and TV, and I’ll tell you what will work. I supply and fit the bracket, hide the cables and set everything up. So you don’t need to buy anything beforehand. You can also read my answers to other common TV mounting questions.
I provide friendly, reliable TV and audio visual services across the Northern Beaches, Upper North Shore and Lower North Shore. Get in touch through the contact page or send me a message to book.