When deciding a layout for your living or media room, it's important to consider how far from the TV your sofa should be.

Most homeowners, when on the hunt for a new television, believe that bigger is always better. However, it might surprise you to know that if you haven’t taken into account the dimensions of your space, your massive screen could deliver a less-than-enjoyable experience.

So, to ensure perfection, we’ve compiled this guide to help you create a floor plan that places your sofa in the perfect position for some dedicated binge-watching.

What TVs bring to our living spaces

Watching TV has been a part of “family time” ever since the devices graced our living rooms back in the late 1930s. In fact, a great show can become a source of some much-needed laughter and relaxation, helping you to unwind and spend quality time together.

In the UK, it's not unusual to find friendship groups getting together regularly to enjoy a popular baking programme or captivating series. But before you decide to host your own watch party, let’s make sure your setup doesn’t leave your guests with sore eyes or strained necks.

Positioning a TV around your sofa

These days, wall-mounted sets are commonplace in most living areas, giving homeowners the opportunity to optimise on available space and increase the functionality of their rooms. 

Choosing the right TV cabinet will depend on many factors including:

• How big your room is.
• How much wall space you have.
• Where your sofa will be situated. 
• How far away you need to position it to ensure the ultimate viewing experience. 
• How high you need it to be in relation to your seating plan.
• What style, materials and colour will be in keeping with your existing décor. 
• How much space you need in terms of built-in storage.

But before attaching your TV to the wall, it’s important to figure out where you’re putting your sofa. Why? Because your seating solution is usually the focal point of your room and should accommodate both an optimal viewing position and a convivial conversation area. 

To accomplish this, you’ll need something with a seat height that allows you to be at eye-level with the centre of your TV screen, giving you an unobstructed view and minimising any physical discomfort.

For an optimal setup, these are the distances you should keep between your sofa and TV, whether it’s atop a cabinet or on the wall:

• 40’’ TV: 150 cm to 250 cm
• 43’’ TV: 167 cm to 274 cm
• 50’’ TV: 198 cm to 320 cm 
• 55’’ TV: 213 cm to 350 cm
• 60’’ TV: 228 cm to 381 cm
• 65’’ TV: 243 cm to 411 cm 
• 70’’ TV: 274 cm to 441 cm
• 75’’ TV: 289 cm to 472 cm 
• 80’’ TV: 304 cm to 502 cm 
• 85’’ TV: 320 cm to 533 cm 

 

Factors that impact your viewing experience

Just because you can afford a massive TV, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your living room. By rule of thumb, your enjoyment of it will depend on whether your available space is big enough to allow for a comfortable distance between your sofa and the screen. 

If you are cramped up and on top of it, you will have to deal with:

• Eye strain: Sitting too close to a screen will hurt your eyes and you will find yourself needing to take frequent breaks to rest them and recover. You certainly won’t enjoy long movies or binging marathons.
• Image clarity: When you are close to the TV, especially an older model, you start to see the pixels that make up each image. This takes the magic out of any film.

Besides distance, there are a few other factors to take note of when planning for your TV:

• Angle: Your TV should be placed directly in front of you, ensuring that your eyes don’t have to move more than 15 degrees up and down or 40 degrees left and right in order to see the screen. 
• Lighting: Avoid placing your TV behind a major light source or it will hinder your viewing capabilities. Instead, place a gorgeous floor lamp next to your sofa to create gentle ambient illumination. 
• Balance: To create visual uniformity, ensure that your TV is mounted straight if you’re using a wall unit or sits flat on your cabinetry if you’ve bought a regular stand.

Finding the best sofa to watch TV

You just need to step into a movie theatre to realise that our viewing preferences differ. You may religiously select seats at the back or middle of the cinema, whilst others may find the front row just right.

It’s the same with TVs. Because, whilst the measurements we shared are a great guide, you should still test them out for yourself to see if they suit you. The golden rule is to find the sweet spot between your sofa and the screen, where you can watch your shows without needing to tilt your head.

Aside from personalising your viewing distance, a plush sofa is vital and will make all the difference, especially if you have a large family. However, with so many options available, choosing the right one can be a challenge. Here are 5 tips to help you along:

Comfort: 

The most crucial consideration when selecting a sofa is comfort. Look for a one with a plush seat and supportive back and armrests so that you can sit for long periods of time.

Dimensions: 

The dimensions of the sofa should fit your space, allowing for everyone to sit at ease without feeling cramped. Think about how many people will be using it before you make a final decision. 

Material: 

Make sure you choose upholstery that is long-lasting and easy to maintain. Leather is always a prime option, but if you can’t afford it, there are plenty of gorgeous fabric alternatives. For some great guidelines, read our article on the different kinds of sofa materials and how to pick the right one. 

Design: 

It’s important to find something that matches the look and feel of your room, so identify your preferred style and colour palette before you hit the shops.

Features: 

Look for a sofa with built-in recliners, cup holders, and storage compartments to improve your TV viewing experience.

 

 

The Best Sofas for Watching TV - According to Our Interior Designers

From cosy two-seaters to expansive modulars, we have an amazing range of sofas that offer the ultimate in comfort if you love spending your evenings watching TV. Here are our top 5:

1. The Giulietta

Curvaceous and wonderfully cosy, this sofa by Eichholtz features elegant curves and two generous cushions, supporting your form as you sit back and relax. With plush velvet upholstery and striking black feet, it’s a standout offering that will infuse your space with classic appeal.

2. The Hollywood

For families who love to spread out in style, this is a sublime choice. Modern and comfortable, its soft, feather-filled cushions give you an ample sense of comfort and you can choose from a vast array of upholsteries from leather to fabric. 

3. The Softbay

This sofa by Porada is available in a range of beautiful leathers or fabric with removable covers so you manage those unexpected spills. With beautiful Canaletto walnut feet and crush-proof polyurethane padding, its deep seats and voluminous armrests will keep you cocooned in front of the TV for hours.

4. The Fletcher

This sofa by Laskasas is a beautifully balanced, modular piece that offers unmatched versatility. With options that include a chaise longue, plenty of built-in storage space for glasses and snacks and over 100 upholstery materials to choose from, it’s a knockout choice. And, no matter what your room dimensions are, you can get it customised to perfectly fit your space.

5. The Vogue

Beautifully considered to suit any aesthetic, the Vogue sofa by Naustro Accent Collection includes rolled headrests, comfortable cushions and limitless options when it comes to its configuration. Build it up from a one-seater to a multi-functional seating solution that includes corner pieces, ottomans and anything else you need to make your TV time sublime.

In Conclusion

Deciding on how far your sofa should be away from your TV depends on a multitude of factors from the size of your room to your lighting plan. So, if you’re looking to improve your viewing experience, we’d love you to pop into our spectacular showroom and browse through our wide range of designs. 

If you need help with your living room layouts, get in touch with our expert team today. We’ve been creating beautiful spaces for over three decades and will be able to help guide your choices.