I'm trying to mount a small 17-inch TV in my loft, which has drywall that seems quite thin and potentially no studs behind it. The walls are either hollow or have metal framing since it's an old building that used to be a college campus. I've had this TV for about a decade and it worked well in my previous apartment, but I'm concerned about how to safely mount it here. Any tips or recommendations?
3 Answers
For a 17-inch non-articulating TV, drywall anchors should do the trick! Honestly, I wouldn't hesitate to use them even for larger TVs, but make sure you get the right ones.
If you can find any wall studs, it's a good idea to attach a piece of plywood or a 2x4 to them first. You want a piece that's wide enough to cover both studs, typically about 17.5 inches for 16-inch centers. Make sure to use long enough screws to go through the drywall into the studs. If the plywood's the right size, paint it to match the wall, and it won't be very noticeable!
What if the studs are made of steel? I can't drill into that.
You can also try using 3/16" spring toggles! They should hold fine for a 17-inch TV unless the mount is super heavy. Just make sure the installation is solid.
I actually used an articulating mount. I got it up, but when I swung it back in after stretching it out for a good view, it fell off the wall. Just be careful!