The Ultimate Way to Mount My LG C5 OLED TV – No More Bolts or Studs

The Challenge of Mounting a Large TV on an Old Wall

Buying one of the best TVs is only half the equation. The other half is figuring out where to place or hang it, and for many people, this proves to be just as challenging as selecting the right television. For me, the process was particularly complicated, especially when I decided to hang my new 65-inch LG C5 OLED TV on a wall that wasn’t designed for such a task.

The journey began even before purchasing the TV. I had my eye on the LG C5 OLED (the EVO AI model), which I bought for $1,699 at Costco. This model comes with an extended warranty, making it a solid choice. While there are cheaper 4K TVs available, they tend to be bulkier and heavier, which wouldn’t work for my specific setup. The LG C5 stood out for its vibrant color, strong contrast, superb detail, and notably light weight—just 36.6 lbs. This made it ideal for a unique mounting challenge.

My first 65-inch 4K TV was the TCL 6-Series, a budget Roku TV that weighed around 60 pounds. That experience highlighted the importance of weight when choosing a TV for a non-standard wall.

A Problematic Wall

My house is nearly 100 years old, and while we’ve modernized many areas, some original construction elements remain. One such issue is a center wall that runs almost the entire length of the house. This wall is narrower than standard due to how the studs were originally placed. In most homes, wall studs are spaced 16 inches apart with the short side facing out. However, in my home, built in 1928, the studs were placed with the wide side facing out. This makes the wall only 3 inches thick, which is not enough to support a traditional wall mount bracket.

Traditional mounts require securing bolts into the studs, but with my wall’s narrow dimensions, this would not be safe. I needed a different approach.

Stud-Free TV Mounting

I started looking for stud-free TV mounting systems and found one called Hang Smart from Home Depot, priced at $49. It claimed to support up to 100-inch TVs weighing up to 150 lbs. The system promised a simple three-step installation: attaching hooks to the back of the TV, installing the wall mount, and hanging the TV. It looked promising, especially since modern OLED TVs like the LG C5 are much lighter and thinner than older models.

The LG C5 fit the bill perfectly. It weighs just 36.6 lbs and is extremely thin, making it ideal for a stud-free installation. I had initially planned to buy the LG C4 OLED, but it was out of stock at Costco. The C5, while not a major upgrade, offers improved brightness, color, and an upgraded A9 AI chip, making it a solid choice.

Installation Process

Once I had the TV and the Hang Smart system, the next step was determining where to hang the TV. I wanted it equidistant between a closet door frame and the kitchen entrance to center it in front of our new sectional. Finding the right height proved tricky. Most experts recommend placing the TV about 25 inches from the floor, but I found that too low. I also didn’t want it too high, as that could cause neck strain.

After extensive measurements and adjustments, I settled on the best spot. Using the Hang Smart guide strip, I transferred the hook positions from the TV to the wall. I used a level to ensure everything was straight and then secured the mounts with eight 3-inch nails. Each mount has four holes set at 45-degree angles, distributing the weight effectively.

Finally, my son and I carefully lifted the TV and attached it to the mounts. The result was a secure, centered display that looked great in the living room.

Final Thoughts and Recommendations

The Hang Smart system worked exceptionally well. It’s affordable, easy to install, and causes less damage to the wall compared to traditional mounts. The TV tips slightly forward, which I find acceptable, and the system includes rubber spacers if I want to adjust the tilt later.

Overall, I’m very satisfied with the outcome. If you're looking for a reliable, stud-free way to mount a TV on an old or unconventional wall, I highly recommend Hang Smart. Modern OLEDs are lighter and more versatile, making them ideal for this type of installation.