Mounting a TV on the wall allows you to take advantage of vertical space and makes your console look less cluttered (with more space for decor items). All too often, however, TVs are mounted either too low or too high, resulting in an aesthetically unbalanced wall space and an uncomfortable viewing experience from the couch…
The ideal height for wall-mounting a TV is eye-level when seated in your living room, or eye-level when lying down in your bedroom. Mounting your TV at this height makes the space look more visually appealing while also minimizing eye and neck strain.
For most viewers, the center of a living room TV should be mounted 42 to 50 inches from the floor. The rule of thumb for bedrooms is around 50 inches from the floor to the screen’s center. However, the ideal height also depends on the size of your TV and the distance you’re viewing it from. For example, if you have a larger TV that’s over 65 inches, you may want to mount it so the midpoint is slightly higher than eye level to avoid straining to see the entire screen.
TV Mounting Tips and Tricks
With that out of the way, here are four other things to keep in mind for an optimal TV-viewing experience.
Viewing Distance Is Key
In addition to height, it’s also worth considering distance and ensuring your couch is at least 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal width of the screen from your mounted TV. The same goes for your bed, but instead of measuring from the base of your bed frame, measure from where you’ll be seated upright.
Choose the Right TV Stand Width
Even if your TV is mounted on the wall, a TV stand, console, or credenza can help anchor the area. However, if this piece of furniture is the wrong size, the media center can look a bit off. “Make sure your TV stand is wider than your TV,” interior decorator Kiva Brent said in a recent TikTok. “Your TV stand width should be equal to the width of your TV, plus 12 inches — and even wider is fine, too.”
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Keep the TV Stand Free of Clutter
Decor is a nice way to zhuzh up your TV stand, but too many items in front of the screen can be distracting. Brent said that instead of sprinkling decor across the entire surface, you should place just a few items in the peripheral areas so that they don’t distract.
Avoid Hanging Above a Fireplace
The space above your fireplace might seem ideal for mounting your TV, but it can actually cause damage to your device. If you use your fireplace, it can degrade the TV’s internal components and shorten its overall lifespan. Soot and smoke from a wood-burning fireplace may even clog the electronics’ vents, leading to potential overheating. Additionally, this space is rarely at eye level, so a TV mounted too high can lead to uncomfortable neck and eye strain.
