TV mounting and viewing distance
TV size = viewing distance ÷ 2. Mount height: TV center at seated eye level (~42 inches).
The reliable way to get TV viewing distance right is to place the TV and your seating, then measure between them with the tape measure tool. The walkthrough below mounts a 55-inch wall TV and a 3-seater sofa about 9 ft apart; the charts that follow cover every screen size.
In this guide
- 1
Place a wall-mounted TV
In Furnish, search TV, tap TV 55" (Wall), then +Add. A note says tap a wall to place it — tap the wall the TV hangs on. Its panel has a Mount field (4 ft to start) for how high it hangs; aim for the screen's center near seated eye level, about 42 inches.
Tap the wall to hang the TV, then set its Mount height in its panel. - 2
Add a sofa facing the TV
Search sofa, add a 3-Seater Sofa, and turn it to face the TV — tap 90° in its panel twice (180°) — then drag it to the far side of the room.
Add a 3-seater sofa and rotate it to face the TV. - 3
Measure the viewing distance
Tap the tape measure in the toolbar (it starts in Length mode). Drag one end onto the TV and the other onto the middle of the sofa — each end locks onto the piece (a padlock shows), so the reading updates as you slide the sofa. Move it until the tape reads your target — about 9 ft for a 55-inch screen.
Lock the tape to the TV and the sofa — here it reads 8' 9", right around the 9 ft that suits a 55-inch TV. - 4
Check it in 3D
Tap the tape measure again to put it away, then open 3D View to see the TV and seating together in the room (tick Dollhouse to look in over the walls).
Switch to 3D to see the layout in the real room. - 5
TV size by viewing distance
50-inch TV: 8-10 feet viewing distance. 55-inch: 9-11 feet. 65-inch: 10-13 feet. 75-inch: 12-15 feet. 85-inch: 14-17 feet. 100-inch: 17-20 feet. Rule: optimal TV diagonal (inches) ≈ viewing distance (inches) ÷ 2.
- 6
Mounting height
TV center should be at seated eye level — typically 42 inches above floor when watched from a standard sofa. For a console-mounted TV, bottom edge sits 6-12 inches above the console. For wall-mounted TV with no console, mount center at 42 inches.
- 7
Above the fireplace — yes or no?
Contested. Pro: free wall space below; double focal point becomes single. Con: TV ends up too high (often 60+ inches center) — neck strain. If you must, use a tilt mount and aim for center at 50-55 inches max.
Frequently asked questions
How far should I sit from a 65-inch TV?
10-13 feet for optimal viewing.
How high should a TV be mounted?
Center at 42 inches above floor for typical sofa viewing.
What size TV for my living room?
Optimal TV size (inches) = viewing distance (inches) ÷ 2. A 10-foot couch-to-TV distance = 60-inch TV; 12 feet = 72-inch TV.
Start designing your room
Put this into practice in the living room planner: draw it, furnish it, walk through it in 3D — on web, iOS, and Android.
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