How to mount TV to wall with powerpoint and ethernet in the way?

camilo144

I want to mount my 58' TV on the wall. Im fairly need to DIY so keen to know what is the best way for doing it. I know I need to get a drill and a stud finder (happy to hear recommendations for a casual DIY) , and that there is likely a stud in between the two outlets (see picture). I would probably want the center of the TV where the outlets are, so a single plate mount likely is not possible. Any suggestions?

JacobZ

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community @camilo144. It is wonderful to have you with us.

Firstly, for casual D.I.Y. you can't go wrong with an Ozito drill such as this https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-pxc-18v-cordless-10mm-compact-drill-driver-pxcdk-150-kit_p0049052 which comes with a 1.5Ah PXC battery and charger. The PXC battery platform has a huge variety of compatible tools, so if you wanted to grab other tools in the future, you would already have a compatible battery.

For a stud finder, this https://www.bunnings.com.au/ryobi-stud-finder-with-ac-detection-rysf5003_p0374422 is a great option. My colleague @EricL used the same on in his article How to use a stud finder.

Whatever you decide to do, please remember that there is always an electrical risk drilling into your walls, so it is important that you turn off your power prior to installation. Electrical cables typically run down the sides of studs, so as long as you are directly hitting the face of the stud, the risk is low, but not zero. If you aren't confident, you might consider using our https://www.bunnings.com.au/tv-wall-bracket-mount-installation-up-to-64-inches_p0634261 service. Please note that this service is exclusively for installation of the bracket. If any electrical work needs to be carried out, you would need to use an electrician.

If you want your TV to sit nice and tight to the wall, I don't think there is a great option that doesn't involve having an electrician move or adapt those outlets. The reason I say this, is that when your TV is hung from the wall, there will be minimal clearance behind the TV, so any plug heads won't have enough room to actually be plugged in.

You could use a full motion TV mount like the https://www.bunnings.com.au/practa-37-70-full-motion-tv-wall-mount-prwmfml_p0649651 or the https://www.bunnings.com.au/sanus-42-90-full-motion-tv-wall-mount-bracket_p0247047 so the TV can be pulled slightly forwards to allow clearance for the plugs, but it would need to be mounted below the outlets, and would sit a little bit off the wall, which might not be ideal.

Alternatively, you could have an electrician install two of these https://www.bunnings.com.au/repelec-recessed-white-single-gang-wall-point_p4331257 , which will recess the plugs into the wall which can give you more room for the cables behind the TV. You could then mount your TV using a fixed wall mount like the https://www.bunnings.com.au/click-32-70-fixed-tv-wall-mount-ckflg37-70_p0579402 or the https://www.bunnings.com.au/practa-37-85-variable-height-fixed-tv-wall-mount-prwmfl_p0649657 which will have the TV sit much tighter to the wall.

Another option is to have an electrician move the plugs lower down the wall, so they are hidden behind furniture and install a https://www.bunnings.com.au/deta-white-brush-wall-cover-plate-single-pack_p4430713 behind the TV and next to the plugs. This will allow you to run your cables through the wall cavity, then out at the base of the wall next to the plugs where they will be hidden behind your furniture.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob