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7 Tips for Where to Put Your Television

tv placement in a living room

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida 

Where should you put the TV in the living room, family room, or bedroom? Hiding technology or integrating it into our decor may seem challenging. But finding a place to put the TV in those spaces without compromising your furniture arrangement and decor can be done.

Ideally, the TV should be placed away from high-traffic areas and at an angle where sunlight won't create glare on your screen. Plus you'll want to determine whether you'll place the TV on a stand or wall mount. If mounting the TV, experiment with the placement to see if it works for you before drilling. Read on for other helpful tips on how to decorate with TVs.

1. Find a Power Source

Locate the closest power source to where you want to put your TV. Make sure there's enough of a power supply to handle any extras like Blu-ray players and sound systems. Also, consider where the windows are and how much glare you'll get on the screen.

A built-in TV console near a power source

Mindy Gayer Design

2. Spacing

First of all, it's always ideal to put the TV at eye level. This is best so that when you are seated, you're not straining your neck or eyes by looking up or down to see the screen. Usually, the best height to mount the TV is about 4 feet off the ground. Then multiply the diagonal width of the screen by three to determine the best viewing distance. (You can't always do this, but it's a good place to start.)

Tv mounted at an appropriate height over a console

Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Tramp

3. Choose a Focal Point

If your TV is your focal point, then place it in the center of the seating area. If you have another focal point such as a beautifully decorated mantel or an expansive window view, then think about placing it on the wall adjacent to the focal point so it can still be viewed comfortably.

4. Hide It

If you consider your TV an eyesore and don't want it to be a 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 that can close. Make sure there are holes in the back (or drill some yourself) for all of the cords to go through. Also, be sure that the cabinet is easy to open and close if you have kids who will be using it.

Flat screen tv tucked away in a cabinet with closing doors

Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Tessa Neustadt

5. Integrate It

Incorporate your TV into your decor by placing it on a unit such as a bookcase and surrounding it with books, objects, and photographs. To decorate around a TV on or above a console, integrate it by surrounding it with a gallery wall of photography or art in black frames.

TV Console decor ideas

The Spruce / Jacob Fox

6. Flip It

If you want to have a small TV in an area such as the kitchen, purchase one that can be mounted under cupboards and flipped up or down as you need it. These can also work in dens or home offices.

A built-in TV console that closes to conceal the TV entirely

Devon Grace Interiors

7. The Mantel: Yea or Nay?

Most decorating professionals will say you should never put your TV on or above the mantel. Not only is it too high, but you're putting a big, black screen smack dab in the middle of the room's best focal point. That said, many people prefer that location. There are ways to make a TV look and function better on a mantel. For example, it's much safer to mount a flatscreen to the wall rather than standing the TV directly on the mantel. That way it won't fall and the heat from the fireplace will not damage the TV.

Flat screen tv resting on white fireplace mantel surrounded by bookshelves

The Spruce / Ashley Poskin

FAQ
  • Where should a TV be placed in a living room with no wall space?

    A corner mount might be the solution to placing a TV in a living room with no wall space. If that isn't an option, don't mount the TV and instead, place it on a stylish console or bookcase. The less optimal option would be to put your TV in front of a window with a heavy window covering to reduce glare. Lastly, place the TV above a fireplace with precautions.

  • How far should your TV be from your couch?

    Two formulas make very simple general rules of thumb to go by when deciding how far your TV should be from your couch. The first formula is to multiply the diagonal width of the screen by three for the distance. The second formula is to double the screen size of your TV for the distance. Tweak these distances if the TV feels too far away but these formulas are good starting places.

  • Does the couch have to face the TV?

    For comfort, it's best to have the couch face the TV if you plan on doing a lot of viewing. If the TV is only used on a rare occasion, the couch does not have to face the TV.

  • Should a TV be higher or lower than the couch?

    A TV should be placed at eye level for a seated person on the couch. Generally, the center of any size TV should be about 42 inches above the floor. If you are placing a TV in a bedroom, mount it generally 50 inches from the floor to the center of the screen.

  • Is it OK to put your TV in front of a window?

    You can put your TV in front of a window if that's the only place possible. Have good-quality blackout curtains in place to prevent glare. This type of window covering will also prevent direct sunlight from damaging your TV.