How to position your living room TV
Finding a spot for the television can be a daunting task for most people. For the very best optimal TV viewing experience, follow this simple formula for how to position your living room TV: The viewing distance in inches divided by 3 is the recommended TV size. For example, if you’re usually sitting 10 feet from the TV, that’s 120 inches divided by 3, so the screen size should be 40 inches. That would be the diagonal measurement of the screen.
If the room is used for just TV watching, consider at least a 40 inch screen if you are seated four to six feet from the TV. A 50 inch screen can be sufficient if you are up to 7.5 feet from the screen. If you are 6 to 9 feet away, consider at least a 60 inch screen.
How high should your TV be? This is a critical factor to consider when locating your television. If you place it too high in relation to its space, you could end up with a pain in your neck. The ideal center of the screen should be at the eye level of the view. Most of the time you have a fireplace or cabinet where this is not possible. I suggest making sure your sofa and chairs have a comfortable head area, if you are a real TV viewer.
If you don’t want your TV to be the focal point, or you want to be able to conceal it at a moment’s notice, consider putting it in a cabinet or armoire with doors to close.
I have been able to use a bookcase as a way of placing my 64 inch TV. Because the TV is not the focal point of the room, I have surrounded it with books to carry out the look of the surrounding walls. That would be a good blog post…..how to make a focal points stand out in a room!
If you have a fireplace with a mantle and want to place a TV above it, be very careful about placing objects on the mantle. Never give the impression you are decorating a TV! Also, always check to make sure the fireplace is not producing heat on the TV area.
One more passing thought…….over the years I don’t know how many times I would ask a new client who had just built a new house, “Where did you plan to put the TV in the family room?” They would inevitably say, “Well the room is so big I figured it could go a lot of places!” I can tell you that does not work because you need to take into account windows, doors, and the seating area. That is a lot to consider! Sometimes it works out and lots of times it’s only ¾ perfect! I always go for a WINK!
If you have a question, comment or a subject you would like for me to discuss, go over to the contact page and leave me a message. Have a terrific week!
