Mount a tablet or smart display on a dot-and-dab plasterboard wall

Mount a tablet or smart display on your wall safely and neatly in one session, whatever material your wall is.

TM-01Choose the spot and check it worksPick a height you can see and reach comfortably, usually eye level when seated or standing at the spot you'll use it most. Check there's a socket nearby for the charging cable, or plan a route for the cable along a wall or skirting. Avoid mounting directly above a radiator or right next to a shower or bath.

1 each · Tape measure

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Pencil

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

TM-02Work out exactly what's behind the wallTap the wall across your marked spot. A dull, slightly hollow knock with a firmer edge every 400-600mm often means dot-and-dab plasterboard on masonry dabs. A hollow sound between regular timber or metal uprights means a stud wall. An even, solid knock all over means solid brick or block. Older houses with slightly bouncy, uneven walls may be lath and plaster. If you land on a stud, run a magnet or detector along the wall to find the line of screw heads, then drill a small pilot hole: timber dust means a timber stud, fine grey swarf means metal.

1 each · Stud and cable detector

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Small fridge magnet

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

TM-03Check for cables and pipes, and know your shut-offs before you drillCables and pipes can run almost anywhere in a wall, not just in the zones you'd expect. Use your detector, but still drill carefully and be ready to stop the moment you feel resistance or see anything other than plaster, timber or brick dust. Find your stopcock now, usually under the kitchen sink, and check it turns freely, so you can shut the water off fast if you hit a pipe. If you have any doubt at all, isolate the relevant circuit at the consumer unit before drilling.

TM-04Mark and drill the fixing holesHold the bracket or mount plate against the wall, level it, and mark the fixing holes with a pencil. Drill straight and steady, stopping often to check dust or swarf and to feel for any change in resistance. Keep the drill speed low on the first few millimetres so it doesn't skate off the mark.

1 each · Drill with mixed bits (masonry and HSS)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Spirit level

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

TM-05Fit the right fixing for your wallOn dot-and-dab, drill through the plasterboard and the air gap into the solid masonry behind, then use a fixing long enough to bite into that masonry, not just the board, typically 60-75mm. On solid brick or block, drill a 6-8mm hole to about 40-50mm deep and fit a matching wall plug with a screw. On a timber stud, drive a wood screw into the centre of the stud, not the edge. On a metal stud, never use a plain plastic plug or a wood screw, as it will strip straight through 0.5mm steel; use a self-drilling metal-stud fixing or a toggle-type hollow-wall anchor rated for the weight. On lath and plaster, drill on through the lath into the masonry or timber behind rather than relying on the lath alone, and use a slightly longer fixing to reach it.

1 pack · Rawlplug wall plugs and screws (assorted)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

4 each · Long dot-and-dab fixings (60-75mm)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

4 each · Wood screws (for timber stud)

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

4 each · Self-drilling metal-stud anchors or toggles

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

TM-06Fix the bracket or mount plateScrew the bracket or plate into your fixings, tightening evenly so it sits flat and doesn't rock. Check it's level again before you finish tightening. Give it a firm tug to check it holds before moving on.

1 each · Screwdriver or driver bit

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

TM-07Attach the tablet or smart display and route the cableClip or slot the device onto the mount as the manufacturer's instructions show. Run the charging cable neatly to the nearest socket using self-adhesive cable clips, keeping it away from any heat source and clear of foot traffic.

1 pack · Self-adhesive cable clips

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

TM-08Test it and tidy upPower it up, check the screen sits square and doesn't wobble, and give the mount another firm check by hand. Vacuum up any dust, especially from a metal stud pilot hole, and wipe the wall down. Put your tools away and dispose of any offcuts.

1 each · Dust sheet

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

1 each · Handheld vacuum

Buy:ScrewfixB&QToolstationAmazon

Some links may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Save this as a project

Back to all guides