You should avoid placing a television in your living room where it becomes the sole focal point, or in a secluded, hard-to-see corner. Thoughtful placement ensures optimal viewing and maintains the room's overall aesthetic and functionality.
Places to Avoid for TV Placement
Careful consideration of TV placement is crucial for both comfort and design harmony. Avoiding certain areas can prevent common issues like glare, poor viewing angles, and disruptions to the room's flow.
As the Overwhelming Focal Point
While the television is often a central piece of entertainment equipment, it should not dominate the entire living room's design or layout. A living room ideally serves multiple purposes, including conversation, relaxation, and other activities. When the TV is the only focal point, it can make the space feel less inviting for anything other than passive viewing. Instead, integrate it thoughtfully within the room's decor, ensuring other design elements and seating arrangements also have importance.
Tucked Away in a Hard-to-See Corner
Placing a television in an awkward, remote, or poorly angled corner is highly discouraged. This common mistake severely diminishes the viewing experience for most, if not all, occupants in the room.
- Poor Viewing Angles: Viewers often have to crane their necks or sit at uncomfortable angles, leading to discomfort and strain.
- Reduced Visibility: The screen may be partially obscured or difficult to see clearly from primary seating areas.
- Suboptimal Enjoyment: The overall enjoyment of watching television is significantly reduced due to these limitations.
In Front of a Window
Positioning a TV directly in front of a window creates several problems:
- Glare: Natural light from the window will cause significant glare on the screen, making it difficult to see the picture clearly during the day.
- Blocked Light: The television and its stand will obstruct natural light from entering the room, making the space darker.
- Obscured View: It blocks any potential outdoor view, which can be a key feature of the living room.
Above a Fireplace (Often Too High)
While a popular choice for saving space, mounting a TV too high, especially over a fireplace, can lead to an uncomfortable viewing experience.
- Neck Strain: Looking upwards for extended periods can cause significant neck and eye strain.
- Unnatural Viewing Angle: The ideal viewing height places the center of the screen roughly at eye level when seated comfortably.
- Heat Concerns: A working fireplace generates heat that can potentially damage electronic components over time.
In a Path of Frequent Traffic
Avoid positioning the TV or its surrounding furniture in an area that impedes the natural flow of movement through the living room. This can create:
- Safety Hazards: People might bump into the TV unit or trip over cables.
- Disrupted Flow: It makes navigating the room awkward and less efficient.
Here's a summary of places to reconsider for your living room TV:
| Location Type | Key Reason to Avoid | Potential Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Sole Focal Point | Dominates room design, limits versatility | Unbalanced aesthetics, less functional space |
| Hard-to-See Corner | Obscured view, uncomfortable angles | Viewer discomfort, unsatisfactory experience |
| In Front of a Window | Glare, light blockage, obscured view | Poor visibility, dim room, blocked aesthetics |
| Above a Fireplace | Often too high, heat exposure | Neck strain, potential TV damage, unnatural viewing |
| Traffic Path | Obstructs movement, creates hazards | Awkward layout, safety concerns |
By avoiding these common misplacements, you can create a living room that is both functional for entertainment and aesthetically pleasing for all other activities.
