TV placement can be a tricky business. You want to make sure you’re getting the most out of your new investment, but you also don’t want to clutter up your living space. So, what’s the best way to go about positioning your TV? Here are a few tips to help get you started!
The best way to position your TV for the perfect viewing angle
First and foremost, you need to know where your viewing position is going to be. This means sitting down somewhere in your room and figuring out exactly how far away from the TV you’ll be sitting. Once you’ve done this it’s time to find a spot for the TV itself. The best spot for a TV is either directly opposite your optimal viewing position or placed flat against a wall that leaves an equal amount of space on each side of the set.
If you’re opting for a corner placement then there are a few rules. Firstly, if possible, try to elevate the back leg of the stand as much as possible which will raise it higher than its front leg. If you can’t do this then don’t worry about it! You’ll just need to adjust the TV’s position so that it’s angled towards you.
If you’re planning on setting your TV up in a living room, bedroom, or open-plan space then chances are you won’t have too much flexibility when it comes to picking where it goes.
General placement tips that should help make sure your viewing angles are optimal
Place your TV at least 1 meter away from a wall
When choosing the best spot for your TV, don’t place it directly against a wall or corner unless necessary. This will mean that even if you sit in an optimal position other people who watch with you might not see the best picture quality. However, it is possible to make up for this with the right wall mount!
Mount your TV flat against a wall
Again, most TVs nowadays come with specific mounts that allow you to place them flat against a wall and still have optimal viewing angles. However, there are some older models out there that might require an adaptor if you’re wanting to use one of these types of mounts. Typically, though, with most flat-mounted TVs you’ll be able to get good quality pictures from all angles in the room so long as they aren’t too extreme!
Don’t sit too far away or too close to your TV
Another general rule when positioning your TV is making sure you don’t sit too far away or too close to it. Sit around two and a half times the height of the TV away and you’ll typically find that’s far enough to keep optimal viewing angles. If you sit too close then chances are contrast will be impacted, with darker scenes looking too dark and bright scenes appearing too light.
However, sometimes it can depend on your room! Rooms with lots of natural light might make it difficult for you to get a good picture unless you opt for an LCD or plasma (or LED) TV which is designed to help control glare. But don’t worry if this sounds like you because there are still things we can do to set up our TVs optimally.
Different types of mounts
Mounting TV brackets come in all shapes and sizes! A good rule of thumb is to always go for the sturdiest one you can afford, whether it’s a full-motion mount with tilt, turn and swivel functions or simply a standard flat wall mount with no bells and whistles. If you have young children around then you might even want to consider safety straps so they don’t accidentally knock your expensive new telly over.
Cheaper mounts tend to be lighter which means they’ll sit closer to the wall; however, this also means they’re more likely to break if they fall over. Buying an expensive mount isn’t just about something that looks cooler though. It’s also about making sure whatever you buy is going to be able to hold your TV firmly in place, no matter how heavy it is!
How to hide cables and cords so they’re not visible
Once you’ve found the best spot for your TV it’s time to set it up! With so many wires, plugs and other accessories involved this might take a little while.
Wherever possible try to group all of your connections in one place behind the TV, either on top or underneath depending on what suits you best. If you have to split them apart then staple them along the wall first before tucking them into the gap between the back of your TV stand/cabinet and the wall.
Then make sure they aren’t visible by using cable clips! These are small plastic pieces that clip onto the edges of plasterboard walls which are great for holding all kinds of cables off surfaces. You can even use adhesive ones if you want to keep them out of sight.
Another option worth considering is to attach a cable raceway along the edge of your wall if it isn’t being used by any electrical cords or pipes. These are great for concealing cables behind furniture, cabinets, and blinds!
So, how do you know where to place your TV? As with most things, it depends on the situation. But, hopefully, by now you have a good idea of the basics and can start experimenting to see what works best for you! If you’re still not sure where to start or would like some more specific advice tailored to your needs, don’t hesitate to give us at Over The Top Mounts a call at 702-884-2748. Our team in Las Vegas would be more than happy to help you figure out the perfect placement for your new television and make sure that you’re getting the most out of your investment!
Over The Top Mounts – Construction Advisor
901 Woodbridge Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89108
702-884-2748
