Sofa-to-TV distance in a small room: a practical starting point

Start with the room, not the screen

Place the sofa where it preserves the best circulation. Then test the screen size and viewing comfort from that position. If the TV forces the sofa into the main walkway, the screen is controlling the room rather than serving it.

• Tape the TV outline on the wall before mounting.
• Sit at your normal posture and check comfort.
• Protect the main walkway even if that means a slightly shorter viewing distance.
• Check that cabinet doors and drawers can still open.

Use a range, not one magic number

Viewing comfort changes with screen resolution, eyesight, content and personal preference. A calculator can give you a useful starting band, but the room should decide the final sofa position.

If a larger TV demands a sofa position that blocks circulation, a smaller screen or a different wall can produce a better overall room even if the theoretical viewing distance is less dramatic.

Plan the wall before drilling

Mark the screen center and outline with low-tack tape. Sit in the real sofa position and look at the screen center for a few minutes before mounting. Also check power, cable routing and the mount manufacturer's instructions.

• Avoid mounting so high that normal viewing requires lifting your chin.
• Keep cables out of walking routes.
• Check glare at the times of day when you watch most often.
• If the sofa floats, leave enough room behind it for the path you actually use.