Where the outlet behind the TV should go

If you're building, remodelling or adding an outlet for a wall-mounted TV, placing it well costs nothing extra and placing it badly is annoying for years. The rule is simple: hidden by the TV, missed by the bracket, reachable by the cord.

Inside the TV's outline

The outlet has to be covered by the screen. Work out where the TV will hang first:

• Decide the height of the screen's centre (around 42 inches for living rooms, higher for bedrooms — see how high to mount a TV).
• Mark the TV's width and height on the wall with painter's tape.

Anything inside that rectangle is hidden.

Clear of the bracket

The wall plate of the mount sits in the middle of that rectangle, usually spanning two studs. An outlet directly behind the plate is either blocked or forces the bracket to move.

Good positions:

• Off to one side of centre, in the stud bay next to the bracket's bay,
• or above or below the plate, still inside the TV outline.

A common choice is roughly level with the TV's centre and 8 to 12 inches to the left or right. For full-motion mounts, check the folded arm doesn't land on it.

Near the TV's power socket

Look at where the power cord leaves the TV — often lower left or lower right as seen from behind. Put the outlet on that side so the cord isn't stretched across the bracket.

Recessed is better

A standard outlet with a plug in it sticks out 1.5 to 2 inches, more than a slim mount's gap. A recessed outlet box sets the receptacle back into the wall so the plug sits flush. Ask for a recessed "TV box" — many combine power with a low-voltage opening.

Low-voltage next to it

Run a path for HDMI and network at the same time:

• a low-voltage bracket or brush plate beside the power box, and a matching one near the floor or cabinet,
• or better, a conduit (flexible tube, 1.25 to 2 inches) between the two, so cables can be swapped later without opening the wall.

Power and low-voltage cables shouldn't share one unseparated box.

Height when you don't know the TV yet

For a builder who has to choose blind: an outlet about 48 to 54 inches above the floor suits most living-room TVs from 55 to 85 inches. Over a fireplace, 8 to 12 inches above the mantel.

How many receptacles

A duplex (two sockets) covers the TV and a streaming stick's adapter or a soundbar. If a soundbar is wall-mounted below, think about its power too.

Surge protection

A TV plugged straight into the wall has none. Options: a surge-protecting receptacle, a slim surge adapter behind the TV, or whole-home protection at the panel.

No outlet there today?

• An in-wall power kit relocates power without new house wiring — see in-wall power kits. Ours is $119.
• A new hardwired outlet is a job for a licensed electrician.

One more check

Before the electrician closes the wall, take a photo with a tape measure in frame. It tells the installer where the studs and cables are.