How Far Should Your TV Be From The Sofa?
Arranging your living room or media space isn't just about aesthetics — it’s about comfort, too. One often overlooked factor is the distance from your TV to the sofa. While many assume that bigger screens automatically improve the viewing experience, finding the right balance is key to creating a cosy and enjoyable space.
In the following tips, we’ll walk you through some key considerations for positioning your sofa perfectly, ensuring you balance comfort, style, and functionality.
Finding the ideal distance from the TV to the sofa
When setting up your living room or media space, the distance between your TV and sofa is crucial in creating a comfortable and enjoyable viewing experience. Too close, and you risk eye strain; too far, and you might lose picture clarity. Striking the right balance ensures you enjoy your favourite shows and movies in comfort while maintaining the aesthetic flow of your room.
Match your TV size to the room
The size of your TV plays a crucial role in determining how far your sofa should be placed for an optimal viewing experience. Generally, larger screens require more distance to avoid straining your eyes or compromising picture quality. Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out the ideal distance from your screen:
32-inch screen: About 1.4 metres away
36-inch screen: Around 1.5 metres away
42-inch screen: Approximately 1.8 metres away
50-inch screen: 2.1 metres away
60-inch screen: About 2.6 metres away
70-inch screen: Roughly 3 metres away
These distances are generally ideal for HD televisions. However, if you’re working with a higher resolution TV, such as 4K, you can sit closer without losing picture clarity.
The Dawson Sofa with Ottoman is placed a healthy distance away from the TV set-up in @whitneyfransway’s living room. Also pictured: The Solange Performance Bouclé Chair.
@thegritandpolish props the TV up on the Harper Sideboard, maximising the corner space while also ensuring it’s at the perfect height.
Balancing size and space
If your living room isn’t as spacious, it’s important to balance the size of your TV with the available space. A large screen might seem enticing, but sitting too close can affect both comfort and picture quality.
To find the right TV size for your space, here’s a simple tip: measure the distance from your sofa to the TV, and divide that number in half. For instance, if your sofa is about 3.6 metres (or 360 cm) away from the screen, consider opting for a TV around 1.8 metres diagonally (roughly 72 inches).
Standard TV sizes typically range from 42 to 75 inches, so finding one that fits your space while ensuring a comfortable viewing experience is key. By using this method, you can select a TV size that perfectly complements your room without overwhelming the space or compromising on comfort.
Sofa configurations for optimal viewing
Just as selecting the right TV size is crucial for a balanced space, thoughtful design choices for your sofa setup can transform your living room or media space.
It’s not just about placing furniture — the height, depth, and configuration of your sofa in relation to the TV helps create a space that blends comfort with design, ensuring that your living room layout remains stylish while providing the perfect TV-watching setup.
Aligning sofa height and depth with comfort
The height and depth of your sofa play a key role in creating a comfortable viewing experience. Ideally, sofas with a standard height of around 45 cm help align your eye level with the TV, minimising neck strain.
Speaking of comfort, the depth of your sofa is equally important, especially if you enjoy lounging while watching TV.
A standard depth of 53 to 61 cm works well for most, but if you love to stretch out and relax, consider a deeper option like the Owen Chaise Sectional Sofa. With its cushy design and generous depth, this sectional sofa offers the perfect balance of comfort and modern style, allowing you to sink in without compromising your living space's sleek, contemporary feel.
The Owen Chaise Sectional Sofa has a depth of 59.9 cm, offering you the ultimate lounging experience while binging your favourite shows! Picture credits: @starryhomestead
Another comfy seating option is the Jonathan Sofa with Ottoman - with a seating depth of 62.9 cm.
Maximising room flow with the right sofa length
The length of your sofa should complement the size of your living room and the distance to the TV. In smaller spaces, a compact 2-seater or a smaller l-shaped sectional sofa works best to maintain an open and airy feel.
For example, when you buy a customisable 2-seater like the Marlow Performance Boucle Armless 2-seater Sofa, it can help open up your space. Its curved silhouette follows the natural flow of your living room layout, ensuring the area feels cohesive and spacious.
Paired with the right distance — about 2.1 to 2.4 metres from a 50-inch TV — this setup guarantees comfortable viewing without overwhelming the room.
@bria.via creates the cosiest space with the Marlow Performance Bouclé L-shape Sectional Sofa and a brown armchair.
@emmezhou creates an intimate arrangement around the TV with the Auburn Performance Fabric Curve L-shape Sectional Sofa.
Get a recliner sofa
Recliner sofas are perfect for those long TV-watching sessions, offering the ideal balance of comfort and support. Adjustable footrests and reclining features allow you to lounge in the perfect position.
However, when positioning your recliner, it’s essential to leave adequate space behind the sofa for full reclining and in front to ensure the right distance from the TV. For instance, with a 60-inch TV, aim for about 2.6 metres between the screen and your recliner to avoid straining your eyes while enjoying a comfortable, immersive experience.
By carefully positioning your recliner, you can maintain both comfort and the ideal distance from TV to the sofa, all while preserving the balance and flow of your living room layout.
Creating the ideal sofa-to-TV setup
Designing a comfortable and functional living space goes beyond just picking the right TV. By carefully considering the distance from your TV to the sofa and choosing a layout that complements your room’s flow, you can elevate your comfort and style. Whether you have a small room or a spacious living area, the right sofa setup makes all the difference.
