If you’ve ever found yourself getting lost trying to find the perfect TV, then you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’re going to outline the best way to choose the perfect TV size for your living room. We’ll take you through some of the key things you need to consider, and we’ll even show you how to find the perfect viewing distance for any kind of TV!
Read on down below to get started!
Recommended TV Screen Size Calculator
Use the table below to find the ideal TV size based on your viewing distance. Or enter your viewing distance below for an exact TV size recommendation.
| TV Size | Recommended Viewing Distance (Feet) |
|---|---|
| 32 Inch | 3.2 - 4 |
| 40 Inch | 4 - 5 |
| 43 Inch | 4.3 - 5.4 |
| 48 Inch | 4.8 - 6 |
| 50 Inch | 5 - 6.25 |
| 55 Inch | 5.5 - 6.9 |
| 65 Inch | 6.5 - 8.1 |
| 75 Inch | 7.5 - 9.4 |
| 77 Inch | 7.7 - 9.6 |
| 85 Inch | 8.5 - 10.6 |
| 98 Inch | 9.8 - 12.25 |
For a more detailed calculation, use the TV size calculator below:
Things To Consider When Choosing A TV Size
Naturally, when it’s time to buy a brand-new TV, many of us start by considering screen size. There are all kinds of screen sizes to choose from, but you might find yourself immediately drawn to the largest options available. While a super-sized TV might seem like a great idea, you need to make sure you have appropriate space to accommodate such a display.
In order to find an appropriate screen size for your living room space, there are a few major things you should be sure to consider. Let’s go through them now.
Your Available Space
You want to make sure there’s enough space inside your room for your chosen TV. You’ll not only need to make sure there’s space fo the TV to fit in, but also that there’s space to appreciate it from. Sitting too close to your TV will result in an uncomfortable view, as you will have to keep moving your head around to take in the full image. After just a few minutes of watching you’ll end up with all kinds of aches throughout your neck!
The best thing to keep in mind is that the larger your chosen TV is, the further away from it you will need to sit. In order to choose the right screen size, you’ll need to consider your available space. Every TV has an optimal viewing distance from which it’s best to appreciate it. Luckily, working out this distance is easy.
Make sure to consider what’s around your TV. You want to make sure your TV isn’t too close to other objects in the room. When your TV is cramped in place, it’s put at risk of overheating. As such, you should make sure there’s plenty of room around the TV so it can stay ventilated!
The Price
Of course, the larger your chosen television is, the higher its price tag will be. As such, you’ll want to think carefully about how much you’re looking to spend. If you’re sticking to a tight budget, then we’d recommend scaling down and going for a slightly smaller option.
The larger your TV, the more it will cost. You’ll need to carefully balance your budget and your dream TV size to ensure you grab a display that’s right for you!
If money is no object, then it’s totally worth scaling up, again, only if you have appropriate space for your chosen TV. If you’re keen on getting a larger screen size, but you’re sticking to a tight budget, then it might be worth going for a model with fewer features. The fewer smart features a TV has, the lower its price will be. This allows you to scale up without having to overspend.
The Resolution
Screen size and resolution tend to go hand in hand. Larger screens look best at higher resolutions, as there’s plenty of room for extra pixels!
Generally, the larger the screen is, the higher its resolution will be. This will directly reflect in the price. Not only will a larger screen cost much more, but a boosted resolution will also result in a much higher cost!
How To Measure Screen Size
These steps will help ensure your new TV fits your desired space.
Step 1 – Find The Perfect Spot
Before you can grab any measurements, you’ll need to think about where your TV will be going. For instance, will you be placing it on a TV stand? Will you be integrating it into a larger entertainment setup? Or will you be mounting it to the wall?
Once you’ve found the perfect spot for your new TV, you can start measuring the space to ensure it fits!
Step 2 – Measure The TV Itself
To make sure your TV fits comfortably into place, you’ll need to consider more than just its screen size. Measure the full height and width of your TV, making sure to also measure the TV’s base and its screen bezel, to get a full sense of its total size.
This ensures that wherever you place your TV, you can guarantee there’s plenty of space around it.
Step 3 – Measure The Space
You want to make sure your TV has plenty of room around it, and that it’s not awkwardly shoved into place. As such, you should make sure to measure the spot where you’re placing it.
If you’re keeping your TV on a dedicated TV stand, then you’ll want to measure its width and depth. You want to make sure that your TV does not jut out from any side of the TV stand, as this puts it at risk of being knocked.
Make sure there’s enough space for your TV to fit in comfortably. Make sure your TV isn’t positioned awkwardly, as this can put it at risk of damage when it accidentally tumbles to the floor!
If you’re planning to integrate your TV into a larger entertainment centre, you’ll want to make sure to measure the chosen spot to ensure the entire TV fits into place. Make sure to grab height, width, and depth measurements.
If you’re mounting your TV, make sure there’s enough room for the TV, wherever you choose to keep it. If your TV’s mount features a tilt and swivel mechanism, you should make sure that there’s plenty of space to the left and right of the mount, so your TV doesn’t bash against anything.
No matter where you choose to keep your TV, make sure it’s not cramped in place. Ensure there’s always room around it for it to stay cool!
Make sure there’s also plenty of space between your sofa and your chosen spot for the TV. Sitting too close or too far from your TV will result in an unsatisfying view!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can A TV Be Too Big for A Space?
Absolutely. Not only could you find yourself in a situation where a larger TV simply does not fit through the door, but you may also find yourself in a situation where the TV is uncomfortable to watch. An improperly placed TV could lead to neck strain as you position yourself awkwardly to watch it!
Is It OK to Have A Big TV In A Small Room?
Provided there is plenty of space to safely keep your larger TV, it can be okay to have a larger TV in a much smaller room. However, you will want to make sure that there is plenty of space between you and the screen, so you can enjoy it fully.
Does A Big TV Make A Room Look Smaller?
If you have a larger TV that takes up a significant amount of space and is flanked by walls, then it can very easily make a room appear much smaller at a glance. This is one of many reasons why it is recommended to ensure that a large TV has plenty of space.
Where Should You Not Put A TV In A Living Room?
Generally, you should avoid placing your TV anywhere where it will be directly opposite a significant source of light. As such, avoid placing your TV opposite a window, or a large lighting fixture. Such light sources will easily reflect from your TV screen, creating an annoying glare that will make it difficult to watch anything!
