In the modern world, the TV is one of the most important devices in most homes. Therefore, finding a satisfactory place for it in your living room is very important. But where could that be? We've checked out what designers have to say about this and brought you some suggestions.
The best places to put a TV in the living room are:
- In a corner
- Hanging on a wall
- Adjacent to a focal point
- In unused space
If you're stuck on where to put your TV, rest assured that we've done the research and can help you make a good decision. Keep reading for practical advice when choosing a location, as well as other things to think about.
Things To Think About Before Placing Your TV
When choosing a spot for your television, make sure that there are enough outlets nearby for all of the necessary electrical equipment. Your TV, BluRay player, video game consoles, and other extensions will need to be plugged in.
Some people think cords are unattractive. If you'd like to hide all of your cords, putting your TV near an outlet is a great way to start. If this is impossible or you are hanging the TV on the wall, consider purchasing some cord hiding pieces such as the ones below:
Click here to see this product on Amazon.
Avoid Glare
One of the most frustrating obstacles to watching TV is when sunlight shines on the screen, creating a nasty glare.
Think about when you'll most often watch TV, and then pay attention to how the sunlight comes into your living room during that time. If possible, avoid putting the TV in that location. If this is impossible, hang blinds or curtains from the window and shut them whenever the glare is bad.
Pay Attention To Dimensions
It is recommended that you place your TV at seated eye level. This is usually around four feet off the ground but can change depending on the height of your furniture.
An accurate way to figure out how far away your seating should be from the TV is to triple the diagonal measurement of the TV screen. So, for instance, a TV with a diagonal measurement of 60 inches should be 180 inches (15 feet) away from the majority of the seats. Neither of these are hard-and-fast rules, so feel free to break them if that's what works best for you!
Best Places For A TV In The Living Room
In A Corner
For some living rooms, the best place to put a TV is in a corner. This way, it can be angled so that as many people as possible can see it. Notice how the TV's position in the corner of this living room allows people seated on either couch to view the TV comfortably.
Many entertainment centers and TV stands are designed to fit into a corner at a 45-degree angle, like the one pictured below.
Click here to see this TV stand on Amazon.
This might not be the best option for all living rooms, because it is not as space-efficient as some setups. If the TV and TV stand are angled, it takes up more space than if it is parallel to the wall.
Hanging On A Wall
Hanging a TV on a bare wall is a fantastic solution for some living rooms. This allows the TV to be the center of attention. You can then surround the TV with pictures, frames, or other decorative items. Hanging a TV on a wall works well for living rooms without an obvious focal point or one that needs plenty of space for seating.
This TV hangs on a wall and is stylishly surrounded by picture frames.
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If you want more tips on this topic, check out How To Decorate The Wall Around Your TV!
Adjacent To A Focal Point
Does your living room have a clear focal point? Is there something in the room that naturally draw your eyes? If so, think about placing your TV in a location that allows both it and the focal point to be viewed at the same time.
The goal is to place the TV and focal point near enough to each other that all the furniture can be pointed at both of them at the same time. You don't want a situation where the seats are facing the TV and have their backs to a beautiful window, fireplace, or bookshelf.
Window
A common focal point in many living rooms is a big picture window. A great way to avoid glare is to place the TV next to the window, but offset enough that viewers aren't looking directly into the sunlight while watching TV. Angle the screen toward the furniture for optimum viewing.
Built-In Shelves
Some living rooms have beautiful built-in bookshelves. This could be considered a focal point, and you might want to include your TV as an addition to it. This living room features a way to hang the TV in the middle of the bookshelf. This allows all the furniture to be aimed in the same direction.
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Fireplace
Perhaps the most common focal point in a living room is a fireplace. There is some debate about how to position a TV in a room with a fireplace.
Some experts would say that you shouldn't hang a TV above a fireplace because it is too high to watch comfortably, and it takes away from the elegance and classiness of the fireplace.
This room, for instance, retains the beauty of the fireplace and makes the TV less important by putting it off to the side.
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Others would say that hanging the TV above the mantle is an efficient use of space. It also ensures that all the focus can be toward the same space. You can see how all the decor is designed to emphasize the fireplace and TV in this living room.
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If you are going to hang a TV over a fireplace, make sure that it is centered according to the mantle. If you can, angle the screen downwards to create a more natural viewing angle.
For more ideas on how to set up your TV and fireplace, get inspired with these 27 Living Rooms With A Fireplace And TV.
Unused Space
In small apartments or homes, you might need to be creative with the location of your TV and simply look for unused space. This townhome, for instance, placed the TV on the stairway wall for a creative, space-saving solution.
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One of the simplest ways to save space is to hang your TV on the wall. Many flat-screen TVs on the market today come with brackets and equipment to safely hang the device on a wall.
Another way to conserve space is to have the TV sitting on top of an entertainment center with storage compartments. This knocks out two birds with one stone. It gives you a place to put your TV and space to store possessions. See how this entertainment center has drawers to hold stuff?
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FAQs
Let's dive into some frequently asked questions to provide you even more insight into TV placement.
Should A TV Be Centered On A Wall?
Instead of worrying about centering the TV on the wall, think about centering it in the viewing area. If a wall is 30 feet long but only 20 feet of it is part of the TV viewing area, put the TV in the center of that area.
Does The Couch Have To Face The TV?
Your couch does not have to be squared to the TV. In fact, positioning the couch off-centered of the TV is a way to move the emphasis away from the TV and onto social interaction. You can also use the direction of your couch as a way to put emphasis on another part of the room.
Keep in mind, though, that if the couch is not facing the TV, fewer people will be able to view it comfortably.
What Can You Put In A Living Room Instead Of A TV?
If you don't want a TV in your living room, there are other visually pleasing things you can make the focal point.
Even if your house doesn't have a traditional fireplace, you can purchase an electric fireplace to provide decorative value.
Click here to see this fireplace on Amazon.
Some living rooms utilize unique or decorative bookshelves as the focal point. Check out this living room that features a full bookshelf for visual and aesthetic appeal.
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Or, this living room features a unique, meaningful wall of decorations. It features family photos, an asymmetrical design, and a variety of accent colors.
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Have fun designing a creative space without a TV and make the space work for you and your lifestyle.
In Closing
Picking a spot for your TV should be based on your home's setup and your preferences. Consider putting it in a corner, hanging it on a wall, near to a focal point, or in some unused space. When in doubt, make sure to place it within reach of electrical outlets. Also, avoid sunshine glare, and pay attention to how far away the TV is from the seats.
Happy watching!