A television wall mount or ceiling mount looks neat and sleek—and they free up space in the room to be used for other things. Suppose you replace your bulky, rear-projection TV with a state-of-the-art flat-panel mounted on the wall; the space you gain could allow you to add a sectional sofa or even to install theater seating. Or it can simply open up the room more for better flow.
Space can be even a much more crucial matter outside of the main TV-viewing room. A corner mount will serve a smaller bedroom that doesn’t have the floor space for an armoire nicely, while under-counter mounts create instant entertainment in the kitchen. And if you have a home gym, you’ll almost certainly use it more if you’re entertained. Whatever you may need for a given room is available, and these are the basic types:
Fold-down mount: This type of mount features a stowed screen that flips down for use. Many people love these because they’re out of the way when they’re not being used, and the equipment is protected from most kitchen mishaps.
Under-counter fixed mount: These space-savers are perfect for kitchen use, to entertain you while you’re cooking, cleaning up after a party, or just having coffee in the morning.
Flat wall mount: When no motion is required, a flat wall mount does the trick with simple installation and a lower price. This is a very common mount for plasma TVs.
Articulating wall mount: Since they pull out, swivel and tilt, these mounts offer the highest versatility. An extending arm adds flexibility of use, but a few designs call for the TV to be removed in order to change the positioning.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a TV Mount
The underlying “bones” of the room—namely the structural integrity of the spot where you want to locate the mount—is one factor that may limit your choices of mount styles. Here are some more:
Mount design and compatibility: Will your TV fit on a particular mount? Much like the auto industry has developed relative standards so that children’s safety seats install uniformly in most car and SUV models, the video entertainment industry has gone to similar measures so that most TVs and mounts will work together. This is called VESA (Video Electronic Standards Association) Compliance, a term you will likely see on a television mount’s label. In some cases you may need to purchase an adaptor plate that will ensure a good fit between TV and mount.
Mount capacity and wall (or ceiling) capacity: The diagonal size and weight of your TV will narrow down the range of mounts you can consider. Also, you’ll need to be sure that there’s a stud in the wall where you want to place the mount, or for a ceiling mount, a sufficiently strong beam or joist.
Your room’s needs: How large is the room? How wide does the optimum viewing area need to be? In other words, do you require the TV mount to swivel or tilt? Sit in every seat around the room to figure out how much articulation you want (if any) from your TV mount in order for each person to be able to view in comfort.
Finish: Depending on what brand and model mount you choose, you may get to select the finish. While many people don’t care either way, those who value aesthetics may not want a shiny metal look when black matte works better in the room.
No matter which TV mount you select, you’ll be rewarded with more entertainment opportunities while multi-tasking, whether it’s housework or in-home exercise, and maximized comfort during your living room downtime. Your home will look more modern with the TVs up off the floor—and less clutter will make everyone relax more.
