Where should I put my TV?

When deciding on the layout of your living room one of the biggest dilemmas you will face is where to put your TV. Do you want it to be the focal point of the room, the main ingredient in the cooking pot that is your home? Or would you rather your main living space feel less about technology and more about creature comforts? Here we look at some things to consider when placing that all important bit of living space kit.

Power: One of the first and most important points to consider is that ideally you will want the TV to be near a power source. There is nothing worse than a beautiful room with wires trailing needlessly along the floor.

Light: Try not to position your TV in sunlight; not only will this cause glare on the TV making it virtually impossible to see the screen, it could also cause damage to your TV.

Heat: Avoid radiators and fireplaces; not only does blocking these items prevent the heat from circulating properly around your living space, having your television too close to these items could cause the TV to overheat.  

Distance: Think carefully about the height and distance of your TV from your seating. Placing a TV too high or too low can cause your neck to hurt. Most experts suggest placing your TV around 4ft off the ground. Make sure your TV isn’t too close or too far from the seating areas as this can cause strain on your eyes if watching for long periods. Generally, a good rule of thumb is 3 times the diagonal width of the screen, if this isn’t possible try as close to this guide as you can get.

As well as giving consideration to power, light, heat and distance you will need to think about the look you are trying to achieve. What is the main feature of the room going to be? If it’s going to be the TV, then place it in the centre of your seating area so it naturally becomes the main focus. If you rather incorporate the television in a more subtle manner, you can try placing it in the middle of a bookcase, so it easily blends into the surroundings or placing artwork around the TV so the emphasis is taken off the TV.  Popping the TV into a corner is another way to draw attention away from the TV. Using dark colours such as cobalt blue or aubergine purple can also help the TV melt into the background.

Another option is to hide it completely by encasing it in a unit of some type, i.e. a cupboard or wardrobe if in a bedroom. Some beds offer in-built TV options so you can stow the TV inside of the bed when you are not watching. In areas like the kitchen or games room you can get a flip down TV which allows you to hide the TV out of sight.

Modern technology has made it easier than ever to hang TV’s with them getting slimmer and slimmer, but remember to consider the construction of the wall or fixings that it will be fitted to before going ahead, wires can be hidden, TV’s can be recessed and hidden into false walls, but always ensure the wall or supporting objects can take weight and be drilled into safely first.

We hope, wherever you decide to place your television, you are surrounded by family and friends whether it’s watching the big game, catching up on a cooking show or getting those renovation and DIY tips!