Finding the optimal position for your wall mounted TV is largely a matter of personal preference...
but there are a number of factors you’ll want to consider when making the decision.
Here are some trusted tips to make finding the best TV position easier, so you and the family can enjoy watching TV!
What Should You Be Looking At?
Height of TV
Have you ever sat in the front row at the cinema and gotten a headache from staring up at the screen? Screen height is something you’ll definitely want to avoid when wall-mounting your own TV.
Step 1
To find the ideal height for your TV, sit on your couch (or wherever you’ll be watching from), and measure the distance from the ground to your eyes. If there will be others that will also be watching the TV that are significantly taller/shorter than you, then you might want to use the average seated height to calculate your ideal TV height for optimal viewing.
Step 2
Measure this height on the wall where you want your TV to be mounted, and mark in pencil.
Step 3
You’ll want the centre of your TV to be approximately this high off the ground when mounted.
If the layout of your room means that the mounting height is not possible, you can always have your TV mounted on a tilt bracket. This will allow you to mount the TV higher, and tilt downwards to improve the viewing angle.
Viewing Angle
LED TVs are designed to be watched from straight in front, so wall-mounting your TV directly in front of your viewing area is ideal.
If the TV is mounted in a corner or off-centre from your seating area, consider using a full-motion TV bracket so that you can angle the TV to get a better viewing angle.
Another option is to purchase an OLED TV. These use newer technology to provide a wider viewing angle (amongst many other things).
Distance from Viewing Area
The general recommendation for viewing distance is to sit at a distance of between 1.5 and 2.5 times the diagonal length of the TV screen.
For example:
If you have a 55” TV, the ideal viewing distance is between 2.1m and 3.5m.
If you have a 60” TV, the ideal viewing distance is between 2.2m and 3.8m.
But this measurement will depend on a variety of factors:
Resolution of the TV
It’s possible to sit closer to an Ultra HD TV without seeing the individual pixels than a regular HDTV.
Manufacturer Recommendations
Different manufacturers will recommend different viewing distances for their product.
Personal preference/viewing habits
For example, if you watch a lot of subtitled movies you might want the TV closer to your seating area, but if you regularly have a large number of people watching the TV it may make more sense to have it slightly further away.
Layout of the Room
Windows, fireplaces, furniture, walkways… these can all become obstacles in finding the best position for your wall-mounted TV. Consider the flow of traffic through the room, and whether furniture is likely to be re-arranged in the future.
Mounting a TV above a fireplace can be risky due to the heat and smoke that could affect the electronics in your TV. Additionally, the position above a fireplace is usually too high for comfortable viewing. If mounting the TV above a fireplace is unavoidable, ensure that no smoke or heat escapes when in use and consider using a tilt bracket to angle the TV downward.
Glare and Reflections
If you’re likely to watch your TV during the day, then considering the position of windows in the room is crucial. There’s nothing more frustrating than not being able to see half the screen due to glare. Before mounting your TV, take notice of where sunlight enters the room throughout the day and whether there are blinds on these windows to block the glare if necessary.
Glare can also occur at night if there is a lamp on that reflects in the TV. Installing a tilt bracket to your tv mount can help to reduce glare from fixed light sources in the room when you are watching TV.
Ready To Mount Your TV?
If you are ready to install a wall mount at home for your TV, speak to our team at Kenner Electricals. Our experts can help you find the perfect TV mounting height to assisting you with screen size, so you can have the best viewing experience!
