
- What’s wrong with a standard TV stand?
- What’s great about specialized TV mounting hardware?
- Should you build a DIY base to hold up your TV?
- Innovative ways to mount a TV without a stand
- Does your TV need to mount on from the base?
- Preparing to prop up flat-screen TV without a TV stand
- Finding the ideal mounting height
- Tips and tricks
- Ready to prop up your TV?

Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Johann Holsinger
What’s wrong with a standard TV stand?
In this how-to guide, we’re going to cover the easiest ways to put a TV up without a stand. Simply read this post and you’ll have yours ready to watch in no time.
We don’t think a regular stand like a cabinet is the best option for mounting your TV. Some issues with a standard cabinet or stand are:
- The viewing height depends on the height of the stand, and it may be too low for you causing back and eye strain.
- With no support, a standard stand can be hazardous for young children or pets as one could accidentally tip a TV over causing your price and joy to be destroyed.

What’s great about specialized TV mounting hardware?
A TV mounting hardware is specifically designed for the task of mounting. Whatever bracket you choose, expect the hardware to be a piece of furniture you put your monitor on top of. Here are some key advantages:
- TV brackets can save space over a large stand.
- Acquire a minimalistic design look in your home [1] which is going to make your place look much better.
- You get the freedom to choose exactly how high or low to mount your TV or to temporarily position the screen.
- You can adjust the angle to suit your current viewing position.
Where to put a TV without a stand? Here is a closer look at the most popular mounting methods on how to mount a TV without a stand:
1. Hang your TV on the wall.
- Fixed TV Wall Mount. This type of mount does not move but provides a stable base for you to mount your television on the wall. They are slightly cheaper and relatively easy to install. However, you cannot change the viewing angle after mounting.
- Extending TV Wall Mount. These wall mounts have a greater range of motion than a fixed TV mount. One can be mounted in the corner or extended out from the base connected to the wall which allows you to change the viewing angle of your TV. More supportive mounts are not much more complicated to install than a fixed mount, but the advantages are well worth the upgrade in my books.
- Pull-Down Fireplace TV bracket. These mounts have the ability for you to pull down and push up the monitor mounted on them. This is great if you’re mounting above a fireplace because you will get the correct viewing angle and viewing height. Some of these even come with tilting or even full-motion capabilities.


2. Mount on the Ceiling
- Motorized Fold-Down. This mount lets you flip the TV up when not viewing the screen and fold it down from the ceiling when you’re ready to watch. These mounts can support a large amount of weight so you can get a pretty big-sized flat screen. These bad boys can provide a good viewing angle from a bed and they’re not too bad on the installation if you have a good ladder or portable scaffolding.
- Drop-Down Mount/Pop-up TV mount. These mounts are a great way of hiding the TV away in your ceiling, or inside a cabinet. Whenever you’re ready to watch, just pop up or drop down the screen and begin enjoying it from a wide variety of viewing angles. When you’re done you can retract it back with the push of a button. Since this mount is floor or ceiling mounted you can move the TV up or down out of your way.
- Fixed Ceiling Pole bracket. A pole mount is the simplest and cheapest way of ceiling mounting your TV and a great way of using it without a traditional stand. You can get the fixed variety of the pole mount, or you can invest a little more and get one that swivels.


3. Mount on the floor
- Fixed Floor Pole. This mount is similar to the ceiling pole mount, however, it is mounted to the floor instead of from the ceiling. A TV floor pole stand can support a lot of weight and some even come with swiveling ability. You can get the height and the viewing angle just right with one of these mounts.
- Portable Rolling TV Stand. This is just like a regular stand except there are wheels and you can easily and quickly roll your entertainment cart from room to room or from corner to corner. This is great if you’re in an office or school and you need mobility. No other mounting option provides as much.

Should you build a DIY base to hold up your TV?
Thinking about setting up your telly without a stand cheaply?
If so, you may be considering using a DIY base. However, using one of these isn’t a good idea.
It won’t be as strong and will also have less flexibility than the hardware available at an affordable price.
Simply put, even though it could be cheaper to build a stand yourself don’t expect this DIY job to be your only option.
We think you are better off doing DIY projects that have visual appeal. And adds functionality to your entertainment system that is more sustainable or beyond what is commercially available.

Innovative ways to mount a TV without a stand
Want to do something unique to mount your telly? Here’s how to mount a wall mount or a tabletop without a stand.
You can use a coach screw as a wall hook. Screw it into a stud on your wall. Then you can use a wire to hang it on the wall like a picture frame.
Make sure to place a soft block on your telly to protect the wall from scraping and to create an offset. This is a pretty budget and has a lot of limitations, but can help those with limited resources that want an “it will be an alright solution.”
And here’s what you can do if you’re finding no studs on your wall.
Does your TV need to mount on from the base?
No, you can mount your television using one of the methods we’ve discussed. The base that comes with your TV usually will lift off with a simple screw.
But if you want to know how to use a TV safely without a stand or mount, there are usually holes already on the back of the TV you can use for mounting instead.
Preparing to prop up flat-screen TV without a TV stand
Finding the location
Finding the perfect location is all about getting the optimal viewing angle with the right size TV for the most seating positions in your room.
The easiest way to work this out is to cut out a piece of cardboard that is the same size as your TV.
Have someone hold this cardboard up while you view the screen from various positions in the room. Wherever place feels and looks right will be the best location.
Tools needed
You will need a few different tools to mount your TV without a stand:
- Power drill
- Drill bits of different sizes
- Laser Level
- Screwdrivers
- Stud finder
- Pencil
- Ratcheting socket wrench
- Sockets of different sizes for this wrench
- Tape measure
- Mounting hardware kit

Finding the ideal mounting height
You need to mount the TV 42” on-center for most rooms. This means there will be 42” from the center of the TV to the floor.
If you’re going to be watching from a home bar, increase the on-center point to 48-53” depending on the bar height.
If you watch while standing, increase the on-center height to 60”.
Tips and tricks
To get the perfect install, follow these tips and tricks…
What are the cheapest TV mounts? First, don’t cheap out on your mounting hardware. Cheaper mounts are not always good value for money and are normally made from thinner and cheaper materials. You could end up with a problem related to sagging over time or falling.
Secondly, don’t improvise and cheap out with your own custom solution here.
Instead, thoroughly understand all the steps needed, make a plan, and stick to it.
Finally, pay close attention to all the materials you’re using. All the materials must be appropriate for the job.
Ready to prop up your TV?
Thanks for taking the time to read this post down to the bottom. You’re now well on your way to getting your TV mounted without having to use only a basic stand. There are many better solutions available, and you’ll be able to pick the one that’s perfect for your situation.
We hope you accept my wide-extending arms to help you. So now take some action right now and get moving on your new project!
More information:
- Pros and cons: TV mounts vs entertainment center, a blog from http://blog.sanus.com/pros-and-cons-tv-mount-vs.-entertainment-center






