How to Hang a New TV + Flat Antenna Without Studs

It can be easy to hang a new TV if there’s a stud exactly where you want to hang it. However, the rest of us aren’t always so lucky for that stud to land in the exact perfect spot. Here’s how we successfully hang a new TV.

How to hang a new TV when the stud isn’t exactly in the ideal location.

Hanging a new TV when the studs line up perfectly is great, but not everyone is so lucky. Oftentimes there isn’t a stud where we want to hang a TV or something else that’s heavy. While you can try hollow wall anchors, we like to go another reliable route that makes the connection to the wall super strong and long-lasting, too.

We attach a custom sized piece of plywood to the wall studs that extends to where we want the TV to hang. In order for the plywood to not be an eyesore to prying eyes who look behind a TV, we paint the plywood to match the wall color. Now we keep a jar of each wall color in our workshop, because life happens and touch-ups are easier when there’s paint on hand. If you don’t keep paint on hand, there are helpful color apps like the Sherwin-Williams ColorSnap app that will tell you your wall color.

We also used the backer to hang the flat antenna that we used with our new TV.

Cable TV options

Once you’ve got your TV perfectly mounted and wires tucked away, it’s the perfect time to explore which cable providers operate in your neighborhood. While the antenna gives you access to local over-the-air channels, many people want a fuller lineup that includes sports, movies, and premium networks, too. That’s where checking availability for cable TV in my area comes in.

Sites like Cable Compare allow you to search by zip code to see service options, pricing, and channel bundles tailored to your home. Combining antenna access with cable gives you the best of both worlds, free local channels and reliable access to everything else.

Whether you want to catch a live event, stream a full series, or keep the kids entertained in another room, knowing what’s available where you live helps you make the most of your setup. After all the measuring and mounting, it may be worth enhancing your viewing experience with the right content to match.

About the Author

Theresa

A handy designer and writer, she shares DIY projects, tool how-to, and home makeovers as a book author, home show speaker, DIY workshop coach, and radio host. Plus, she has a degree in journalism with a minor in architecture, and is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPs) and certified color consultant. She's created fast-paced makeovers for TV shows, and shares home trends and DIY tips as a freelance writer and guest on news shows and satellite media tours for TV and radio.

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