How High To Mount A TV In The Living Room?

The placement of a TV can affect the entire aesthetic of your living room. You want to be sure the spot you choose can be seen from any seat in the room, and sometimes that sweet spot can be challenging to discern. How high should you mount the TV in the living room? We’ve done some searching and have the best recommendation for you.

The height of the bottom of the TV from the floor will largely depend on your TV size. As a general rule, the center of the television should hit about 42 inches up the wall. 

So we know the general rule for mounting a TV in the living room, but let’s go into some popular TV sizes and how high they need to be mounted. We’ll answer some other questions you might have as well. Continue scrolling!

How High To Mount A TV In The Living Room, Elegant designed living room with window wall, big television screen and wooden elements

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Why TV placement is important

Ergonomics are important in more than just your workplace. If your TV placement is off, you run the risk of injuring your neck, getting headaches, or straining your eyes. It’s best to view your TV straight on without having to twist your neck to see it. If you’re too close to your TV, this can cause eye strain as well. Proper distance from the TV is equally as important as the height of the mount.

Is it better to look up or down at a TV?

People commonly mount their TVs too high on the wall. It’s best not to look up at the TV, but slightly down. The TV is hopefully mounted right around eye level or a bit below. Staring up constantly can cause neck strain. 

Cozy scandinavian stlye living room with home entertainment center at night.

How high should a 42 inch TV be mounted?

A 42 inch TV should be mounted with the top of the TV at about 63 inches from the floor. The bottom of the TV will about 21-22 inches from the floor. The mount is generally a few inches below the top of the TV, so it would be safe to measure about 60 inches from the floor as a good spot to install the TV mount.

How high should a 50 inch TV be mounted?

A 50 inch TV should be mounted with the top of the TV approximately 67 inches from the floor. You can measure how far down the TV the mount attaches to know how many inches below 67 to install the mount. This mounting height will likely be about 64-65 inches from the floor. The bottom of the TV will be about 17 inches from the floor. 

How high should a 60 inch TV be mounted?

As the TVs get larger, it grows more difficult to arrange them, so the center of the TV is 42 inches from the floor and at eye level. If you were to follow that rule with this TV, it would only be about a foot off the ground.

When you own a TV of this size, you likely have a large living room and are looking to create a home theater feel. In these instances, you’ll be installing your TV slightly above eye level. The distance from the floor to the center of the TV should be about 66 inches. 

How high should a 75 inch TV be mounted?

A 75 inch TV should measure about 72 inches from the floor to the center of the TV. To comfortably view this size of TV, you must be able to sit at least 8 feet away from the screen. 

Should the Center of the TV ever be higher than 42 inches with smaller screens?

There are some instances where the TV should be above eye level. If you’re installing a TV to be watched primarily from a bar stool with tall seating, the TV center should hit about 53 inches from the floor. Additionally, if you mainly watch the TV while standing, mount the TV with the center at about 60 inches from the floor. 

Sometimes you might have a wall obstruction, such as a fireplace mantel or wall paneling. In these instances, it’s best to have the TV as close to eye level as possible.

How High To Mount A TV In The Living Room, Elegant designed living room with window wall, big television screen and wooden elements

How can you make viewing a high mount TV more comfortable?

If you’re forced to mount a TV above eye level, try getting a wall mount with moving parts that would allow you to tilt the top of the TV downward. This eliminates the chances of neck and eye strain.

Additionally, a tilting and movable wall mount will enable you to reposition the TV for comfort, regardless of who might be viewing it. It also allows the TV to move to the least reflective part of the mounting area. 

The below pictured wall mount allows for a significant tilt, with the maximum swivel being determined by the size of your TV. This gives you a lot of different options for the most comfortable viewing experience.

View this wall mount on Amazon.

Keep in mind swiveling wall mounts generally require installation directly into wall studs, so plan accordingly. This could put a damper on your plans if you’ve had your heart set on a specific patch of wall. Overall, it’s best to install any mount directly into studs as simple drywall can have difficulty carrying a large TV load.

How Do You Mount a TV to the Wall?

To mount a TV, you’ll need a mount rated to support your TV size. Many products support a range of sizes, and all have separate instructions, though they are all quite similar.

First, you’ll need to locate the studs in the area you wish to mount the TV. For best results, we recommend using a stud finder. Mark out your measurements before making any holes. Your directions will indicate how many holes you’ll need/how far apart the holes need to be.

View this stud finder on Amazon.

Using a power drill and bit, you’ll create guide holes in the studs according to the size of your mounting base. 

View this drill on Amazon.

Then, you’ll attach the mounting base to the wall using the included hardware in your mounting kit. If you have an additional swivel attachment, following the manufacturer’s instructions to finish the installation.

Here’s a helpful tutorial on how to install a generic wall mount:

Should a TV be centered on a wall? 

The TV doesn’t necessarily have to be centered on the wall. The focus should go into ensuring the TV is centered in the viewing area so that it is viewable from all seats. If you can place it in the center of a wall, great. If not, it’s not a big worry. Choose a place that is central and doesn’t interfere with your existing decor. 

For more info on where to place your TV, check out our article, “Where to Place a TV in a Living Room.”

Should the TV be the focal point of a living room? 

Smart Tv Mockup hanging on the wall in living room with shelves

The TV shouldn’t be the focal point of your living room. TVs, in general, aren’t decorative or eye-catching when they’re sitting turned off. Try making the focal point something that shows off your style, such as an elegantly decorated coffee table, artwork, or living plants.

Though you want the TV centered in the room, you want something nicer to look at as your focal point. Try not to force a big TV into a small room, as it can inadvertently become the focal point.

Read more about furniture and TV placement in our post, “Does the Couch Have to Face the TV?”

However, if you find that your TV will inevitably be the focal point in your room, you could try out the Samsung Frame TV. This TV will blend in perfectly, serving as a beautiful piece of art. 

Check out this TV on Amazon.

In Closing

Mounting a  TV at the appropriate height can affect how much enjoyment you get out of it. Try to get it at eye level as closely as possible, and give yourself plenty of space in your room that isn’t comprised of TV. Enjoy some rest and relaxation in your living room without headaches and eye strain. 

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