Can You Mount a TV in an Apartment?

Yes, you can mount a TV in your apartment. That said, there are a few considerations you must make.

These include getting permission from the owner (in a rented apartment) and finding the right wall.

Thus, this article offers an overview of what you must keep in mind when mounting a TV to the wall in an apartment.

It also offers a quick guide on mounting the TV, including what tools you may require.

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What to Consider When Mounting a TV in an Apartment

Below are certain factors that you must consider before you mount your TV to the wall.

Doing your due diligence can save you money and time. It can also prevent your TV from falling down after it’s mounted.

Look at Your Lease and Speak to the Homeowner

If you live in a rented apartment, making modifications can be problematic. You cannot mount a TV without drilling holes into the walls.

Doing so is against some apartment leases. Therefore, you may end up paying penalties for doing so. The penalties can vary based on what is written in your lease.

In most cases, it may be a fine that you must pay. The homeowner may take money out of your security deposit to cover the wall damages in that case.

Some less tolerant homeowners may even ask you to evacuate if this was not your first offense.

So, it’s important to take a close look at the details in your lease form. Examine it to identify what is and is not permitted. You can start drilling holes if it states that it is allowed.

Nevertheless, it’s best to consult the homeowner as well. You won’t need to seek their permission, but informing them can eliminate any issues later on.

What to Do If Your Lease Doesn’t Allow You to Mount a TV

If mounting a TV is not allowed in your lease, you can try to acquire permission from your homeowner.

Speak to them, and try to make a case for why mounting your TV would be beneficial to your home.

Convince Your Apartment Owner By Explaining That a TV Mount Will Do Negligible Damage to the Walls

Explain to them that the process is simple and will not damage the walls other than a few holes.

You must remember that your homeowner wants to get another tenant as soon as one moves out. This is to avoid losing out on an opportunity to earn money.

So, convince them that mounting a TV won’t do that. Some reasonable homeowners may permit you to do so. You can also offer to repair the walls whenever you move out of the apartment.

Doing so may make it more likely to get an outcome in your favor. That said, make sure not to suggest the repair work at the start. Only do so if they are not acquiring permission readily.

Convince Your Apartment Owner By Explaining Potential Benefits of a TV Mount

You can also convince them by explaining that a TV mount can be an incentive for new tenants.

Many TV mounts can accommodate differently-sized TVs. So, people who move into the apartment after you can use it even if their TV size is different.

That said, in this case, you will have to give up your TV mount when you move out. In that case, it may be worth considering buying a relatively inexpensive mount.

Make Sure to Get Your Apartment Owner’s Permission in Writing

If the homeowner offers their permission, make sure to get it in writing. This way, they cannot hold you accountable for it in the future.

Verbal permission will not offer any evidence in your case.

Also, if you cannot obtain permission, use a table and place your TV atop with its provided stand.

Mount Your TV on the Correct Type of Wall

If you obtain permission or live in your own apartment, you can mount your TV only on specific walls. You cannot hang a TV on drywall.

Drywall will collapse with the weight of the TV. This is especially so if you use mounts that allow you to bring the TV further away from the wall.

If the drywall collapses, your TV will fall to the ground. In that case, your TV may get damaged, may damage other items below it, potentially cause injury, and destroy your wall with more than a few holes.

Thus, you may end up losing a lot of money if that happens.

Mount Your TV on Drywall with Studs

You can only use drywall if there are studs within it. The studs the sturdy frame to keep the TV securely in place.

You can locate the studs using a stud finder. These products are inexpensive and available at hardware stores. The device will beep when it locates the metal studs.

Once you know where the studs are, you can plan where to place your TV. There should be enough space for you to attach your TV mount properly.

Mount Your TV on Brick Walls

You can also mount your TV on brick walls if you have those in your home. Brick walls are sturdy enough to hold the weight of TVs and their mounts.

You will need the correct drill bits to make appropriate holes into concrete. More on this later.

How to Mount Your TV to an Apartment Wall

Once you’ve done your homework on whether you can mount your TV in your apartment, you can get to it. You can hire professionals for this process. However, it’s a fairly simple DIY project.

So, you can save some money doing it yourself. Here are some quick steps to mount your TV.

Buy an Appropriate TV Mount

Some TV manufacturers provide a wall mount with your TV purchase. You can use that and avoid spending money on another one.

That said, these mounts may not have many adjustability options.

If you’re looking for a flexible mount, you can purchase a separate one. Make sure to buy one that will accommodate your TV’s size.

It should also be compatible with your specific TV model.

Typically, TVs have standard mount configurations, so they work with most mounts. Nevertheless, it’s best to double-check.

Choose the Correct Position on the Wall

You should pick the most ergonomic position for your TV. Ideally, the center of the TV screen should be at your eye level when you’re seated. It’s best to use more than one person for this measurement.

This way, you can ensure that your TV is ideal for most of the household. Not just one person.

This is typically a concern if your family members are of drastically different heights.

Also, instead of using an estimate, measure the height of your eye level when you’re seated.

You will need another person’s help to do so. You can place your TV in a way that the center reaches that height.

Make Your Markings

When you have all of the measurements ready, mark them with a pencil on the walls. Use a leveler tool to ensure that the mount is straight.

Making accurate markings will ensure that you don’t make any mistakes when drilling.

Drill the Holes

Use a drill bit that’s smaller than the screws that will hold the mount up.

This way, you can ensure that the screw is snug in the cavity. The TV will be more securely fixed as a result.

Moreover, if you’re drilling into a concrete wall, use anchors. These plastic inserts will make the screws secure inside the concrete cavities.

Also, place a cloth below the area where you’re about to drill. Drilling walls can drop a lot of dust to the ground. So, the cloth will make it easy to clean the mess later.

Fix the Mount to the Wall

Make sure that the mount is not tilted to one side before you tighten all the screws. Again, a leveler tool will help with this.

Attach Your Mount to the TV

Your mount will most likely have two pieces. One is the frame that hangs on the wall. The other is the bracket that fixes onto your TV.

Place your TV on a cushioned surface with the screen facing it. Tighten the screws to fix the bracket.

Hang the TV onto the Wall

If there isn’t much room between the TV and the wall when it’s mounted, you may want to connect the cables first. This way, you’ll know where to plug in which cable.

You can then hang the TV onto the frame. You can move the TV around also a bit to find the ideal position.

Hide the Cables

Cable management is important in making your mounted TV look great in your room. You can use decoration pieces to hide the cables.

If not, you can install a plastic channel to hide the cables.

There are ways to hang a TV without drilling holes. This involves using adhesive tape. However, that is not a secure option and can damage your equipment.

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