A TV in a child’s bedroom can be useful for watching cartoons, playing video games, joining online lessons and enjoying family film nights. However, installing a TV in a kids’ room requires extra care. The screen must be securely mounted, cables need to remain out of reach, and the TV area should not interfere with play, movement or the everyday use of the room.
This guide explains how to mount a TV safely while keeping it comfortable to watch, tidy and secure.
Checklist: What to Consider Before Installing a TV
Before mounting a TV in a child’s bedroom, check a few essential details. They affect both viewing comfort and the safety of the installation.
Check that the TV and wall mount are compatible
A TV wall mount must be suitable for your television in three key areas:
- screen size;
- TV weight;
- VESA pattern — the spacing between the mounting holes on the back of the television.
Do not choose a mount based on screen size alone. Two televisions with the same screen size may have different weights and VESA patterns.
Check the specifications of both the television and the wall mount before installation. The product information for a TV wall mount or TV wall bracket should clearly state the supported screen sizes, maximum load and compatible VESA patterns.
Choose a strong, suitable wall
Solid masonry, including concrete and solid brick, is generally well suited to mounting a TV. Structural timber can also provide a secure fixing point when the mount is attached correctly.
Before drilling, check for hidden electrical cables, water pipes and other services behind the wall.
Do not fix a TV wall mount directly to an unsupported sheet of plasterboard. The bracket must be secured to timber or metal studs, suitable structural blocking, or another properly reinforced part of the wall.
If there is any doubt about the construction or strength of the wall, use a professional installer. This is particularly important when installing a large television or a full-motion TV mount, as extending the screen away from the wall increases the leverage placed on the fixings.
For detailed mounting instructions, see our guide to installing a TV mount.
Keep the TV away from active play areas
Do not mount a TV where children regularly run, jump, play with balls or move large toys. Choose a quieter part of the room, such as a wall facing the bed, a small sofa, an armchair or a dedicated viewing area.
Avoid installing the television:
- above an active play area;
- next to climbing equipment or indoor exercise equipment;
- where it could be struck by a door or wardrobe door;
- near a bunk bed or ladder;
- above a chest of drawers that a child could climb onto.
A television mounted too low may be within easy reach of a young child. If it is mounted too high, watching it may become uncomfortable and place unnecessary strain on the neck.
The aim is to find a sensible balance between keeping the screen out of reach and maintaining a comfortable viewing position.
Plan the correct TV mounting height
The ideal TV mounting height depends on the child’s age, the size of the television and the main viewing position.
For comfortable viewing, the centre of the screen should usually be close to the seated viewer’s eye level. In a young child’s bedroom, however, the television may need to be positioned slightly higher to keep the screen, controls and cables out of easy reach.
If the TV has to be mounted above eye level, a tilting TV wall mount can help. Angling the screen slightly downwards improves the viewing angle and reduces the need to tilt the head back.
Before drilling, make a simple template using cardboard or mark the approximate outline of the screen on the wall with masking tape. This will help you check whether the television interferes with furniture, doors, walkways or the overall layout of the room.
Keep cables out of reach
Plan the TV cable management before mounting the screen. Concealed and securely fixed cables make the installation safer, easier to clean and less visually cluttered.
Loose cables may attract a child’s attention, become caught on furniture or be pulled accidentally.
Recommended steps include:
- Plan the location of the power outlet in advance
- Hide cables inside a cable raceway
- Secure wires with cable ties, clips, or holders
- Avoid leaving cables stretched or under tension
- Place streaming devices, routers, and game consoles out of a young child’s reach
When using a full-motion TV wall mount, leave enough slack for the screen to extend, tilt and swivel without pulling on the connections. The cables should move freely without becoming trapped between the mount and the wall.
Which Type of TV Mount Is Best for a Child’s Bedroom?
The best TV mount for a child’s room is not necessarily the model with the greatest range of movement. It should suit the way the television will actually be used while minimising the risk of accidental contact with the screen.
Wall-mounted solutions are usually the most practical. They free up furniture, move the screen away from the main play area and create a cleaner, more organised layout.
Quick guide to choosing a TV mount
- Choose a fixed TV mount when the TV is viewed from one main position.
- Choose a tilting mount when the screen must be installed above eye level.
- Choose a full-motion TV mount when the TV needs to face different areas of the room - but only when the wall is strong enough and the extended screen will not block a walkway.
- When drilling into the wall is not possible, consider a stable TV floor stand or another no-drill TV mounting solution.
Fixed TV Wall Mount
A fixed TV wall mount is a practical choice when the television is watched from one main position, such as a bed, armchair or small sofa.
It holds the screen close to the wall, prevents it from protruding into the room and frees up space on a chest of drawers or TV unit.
This option is particularly useful in a small child’s bedroom, where saving space and reducing the chance of accidental contact with the television are both important.
A fixed mount also has fewer moving parts and does not allow the child to pull or rotate the screen.
For a medium sized TV, a compact fixed mount such as the ONKRON FM6 would be suitable. For a larger screen, you might consider the UF12. Both options are suitable for situations where the TV is positioned opposite the main viewing area and does not need to be tilted or swivelled frequently.
Before choosing a model, confirm that its supported screen size, maximum load and VESA pattern match the television.
Tilting TV Wall Mount
A tilting TV mount is useful when the television needs to be installed higher than usual, for example to keep it beyond a young child’s reach.
It allows the screen to be angled slightly downwards, improving viewing comfort without requiring the viewer to lean back or raise their head excessively.
This arrangement works particularly well when the television is positioned opposite a bed or sofa, or above a low item of furniture.
ONKRON TM6 is an optimal choice for those who are looking for a TV wall mount with tilt.
Other tilting models can be found within the wider ONKRON UK wall-mount range. Check the adjustment range as well as the supported TV size, weight and VESA pattern.
Full-Motion TV Wall Mount
A full-motion TV mount, sometimes described as a tilt-and-swivel mount, should be selected more carefully for a child’s bedroom.
It is useful when the television needs to face different parts of the room, such as the bed, an armchair or a study area. However, the screen must not obstruct a walkway when the arm is extended.
The wall must also be capable of supporting the additional leverage created when the television is pulled away from it.
A full-motion mount is often better suited to a teenager’s bedroom, where greater flexibility may be useful and there is less risk of the screen being pulled or moved without supervision.
After viewing, the television should be pushed back towards the wall to reduce its footprint and keep the room clear.
Models such as the ONKRON M4R and M7L-B allow the TV to be adjusted for viewing and then pushed back toward the wall when it is no longer in use.
Browse the range of full-motion TV wall mounts and compare the extension distance, swivel range, maximum load and compatible VESA patterns.
Before purchasing any TV wall holder or bracket, confirm that it is compatible with the television. The product information and installation instructions should specify:
For a child’s bedroom, choose a mount with a weight capacity comfortably above the actual weight of the television. The bracket must still be installed on a suitable structural surface using the correct fixings.
For more information about the differences between wall mounts, see our article Types of TV Wall Mounts: What’s the Difference?
What If You Cannot Drill into the Wall?
If the wall is unsuitable or drilling is not permitted, a freestanding solution may be more appropriate.
A stable floor stand keeps the television off a chest of drawers or narrow cabinet while avoiding a wall installation. Browse the ONKRON UK range of TV stands and mobile TV stands.
Choose a model with a wide, stable base and suitable weight capacity. In a child’s room, a wheeled stand should not be able to move freely without supervision. Lockable castors must remain locked during use, and the stand should be positioned away from active play areas.
Where Not to Install a TV in a Child’s Bedroom
Even the right TV wall mount cannot make an unsuitable location safe.
Avoid installing a television:
- above a bed if the child may jump or reach towards the screen;
- next to a bunk bed ladder;
- above a chest of drawers that could be used as a step;
- in a walkway where the screen could be struck by a person or toy;
- close to a window without adequate control of reflections and glare;
- above sockets or cables that the child can easily reach;
- on a weak or unreinforced partition wall;
- close to a radiator or another source of heat.
The safest position is usually on a strong wall facing the main viewing position, with enough free space around the television.
Make sure the screen does not interfere with doors, windows, wardrobes or other furniture. Consider how the room may be used in the future as the child grows and the furniture is rearranged.
How to Organise TV Cable Management
TV cable management in a child’s bedroom is more than an aesthetic concern. Cables should be concealed and secured so that they cannot be pulled, tripped over or used to move connected equipment.
Practical solutions include:
- positioning the mains socket behind or close to the television;
- concealing the power cable inside suitable cable trunking;
- securing HDMI cables and wires from connected devices;
- keeping extension leads off the floor;
- removing unnecessary devices from open shelves;
- keeping electronic equipment away from the edges of furniture;
- securing excess cable rather than leaving loose loops.
If the television is connected to a games console, streaming device or soundbar, plan a safe position for each item before installing the TV.
Connected devices require adequate ventilation. They should not cover the television’s ventilation openings, overheat inside an enclosed cabinet or hang from their cables.
Do not place games consoles or streaming boxes on top of an extended wall mount unless the mount has an accessory designed specifically for that purpose.
Common TV Installation Mistakes in a Child’s Bedroom
Placing the TV on a chest of drawers or narrow cabinet
A child may bump into the furniture, open the drawers or try to reach the screen. Mounting the TV on a suitable wall or using a stable floor stand is generally safer than placing it on a narrow piece of furniture.
Failing to secure the television and furniture
If the TV remains on a piece of furniture, both the television and the furniture should be secured against tipping.
An unsecured chest of drawers or TV unit may become unstable if a child climbs on it, pulls a drawer open or knocks into it.
Installing the TV on an unsuitable wall
Standard plasterboard, lightweight partitions and hollow brick require careful assessment.
Do not assume that general-purpose wall plugs will support the weight of a television. The bracket must be fixed to suitable structural support using hardware intended for the wall construction and the expected load.
Leaving cables within easy reach
Loose or hanging cables can attract a child’s attention. Conceal them in cable trunking or secure them with suitable clips and ties.
Do not leave extension leads, adaptors or excess cable on the floor.
Leaving remote controls or toys near the TV
A remote control, games controller or toy placed near the screen may encourage a child to climb onto furniture or reach towards a shelf.
Store attractive objects, controllers and media devices away from the television and out of reach.
Installing the TV in an active play area
Do not position the television beside exercise equipment, a bunk bed ladder, a busy walkway or an area where children play with balls and large toys.
Even a securely mounted screen can be damaged by a direct impact.
Failing to inspect the installation
Wall-mount fixings can loosen over time, particularly if a full-motion mount is moved regularly.
Periodically check:
- the wall fixings;
- the screws connecting the television to the mounting plate;
- the arms and adjustment points;
- the condition and routing of the cables;
- the stability of the television and surrounding furniture.
Stop using the mount and arrange an inspection if it begins to sag, move unexpectedly, pull away from the wall or make unusual noises.
FAQ
What is the safest TV mount for a child’s bedroom?
A fixed or tilting wall mount is usually the safest and most practical option.
A fixed TV mount keeps the screen close to the wall and reduces the number of moving parts. A tilting mount is useful when the television needs to be installed above eye level.
A full-motion mount is generally better suited to a room used by an older child or teenager. The wall and fixings must be able to support the increased forces created when the mount is extended.
Can you mount a TV on plasterboard?
Do not attach a TV mount to unsupported plasterboard alone.
The bracket should be fixed to suitable timber or metal studs, structural blocking, or another reinforced part of the wall. The correct method depends on the wall construction, the weight of the television and the design of the mount.
If you cannot confirm what is behind the plasterboard, ask a professional installer to assess the wall. A stable floor stand may be a safer alternative.
How high should a TV be mounted in a child’s bedroom?
There is no single TV mounting height that works in every room.
Consider:
- the child’s age;
- the size of the television;
- the viewing distance;
- the height of the bed, chair or sofa;
- the main seated viewing position;
- whether the screen and cables remain out of reach.
The centre of the screen should normally be close to seated eye level. For younger children, the television may need to be placed higher, in which case a tilting mount can help maintain a comfortable viewing angle.
How can you hide TV cables in a child’s room?
Use cable trunking, clips, cable ties and carefully positioned sockets.
Cables should not hang loosely, lie across the floor or pass through the play area. When the television is mounted on a full-motion bracket, leave enough slack for the screen to move without stretching or trapping the cables.
Final Thoughts
Safely mounting a TV in a child’s bedroom requires several elements to work together:
For most children’s bedrooms, a fixed or tilting TV mount offers the best balance of safety, viewing comfort and efficient use of space. These mounts keep furniture clear, reduce the risk of accidental contact with the screen and help create a tidy installation.
If the television needs to turn towards different parts of the room, choose a full-motion mount with sufficient weight capacity and pay particular attention to the wall construction and installation quality.
Browse the ONKRON UK wall mount collection and compare models according to screen size, television weight, VESA pattern and the way the room will be used.
