The right TV size for your room is determined primarily by viewing distance — how far you sit from the screen. The simple formula: viewing distance (cm) ÷ 1.5 = recommended screen size (inches). A 3-metre sofa distance gives 55 inches. A 3.5-metre distance gives around 65 inches.
The viewing distance formula
The formula above is derived from the viewing angles recommended by display standards bodies (SMPTE, THX). It targets a horizontal field of view of approximately 30 degrees — wide enough to be immersive, narrow enough to take in the whole picture without moving your head.
To use it:
- Measure the distance from your sofa (or main seating position) to the wall where the TV will be mounted, in centimetres
- Divide by 1.5
- The result is the recommended screen size in inches
Example: Sofa is 3.2 metres from the TV wall → 320 ÷ 1.5 = 213 → round to nearest TV size → 55 inches
Quick reference table
| Viewing distance | Recommended size | Also works |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5m (5 feet) | 32" | Up to 40" |
| 2.0m (6.5 feet) | 43" | 40"–50" |
| 2.5m (8 feet) | 50" | 43"–55" |
| 3.0m (10 feet) | 55" | 50"–65" |
| 3.5m (11.5 feet) | 65" | 55"–75" |
| 4.0m (13 feet) | 75" | 65"–85" |
| 4.5m+ (15 feet+) | 85"+ | 75"–100" |
Room-by-room guide
Living room
Most UK living rooms have a sofa 2.5–3.5 metres from the TV wall. This puts the ideal size at 50"–65". The trend over the past five years has been toward larger TVs — 55" has become a very common size in UK living rooms, with 65" increasingly popular. If you are moving from a 40"–43" TV, a 55" feels immediately more immersive without being overwhelming.
If your living room sofa is less than 2 metres from the wall (common in smaller London flats), a 43"–50" TV is the right choice. Going larger in a small room means looking uncomfortably close to the edges of the screen.
Bedroom
Bedroom viewing is typically from a bed 2–2.5 metres away. The standard bedroom TV size is 43"–55". A 43" TV on a bedroom wall at 2 metres tends to look about right. A 55" works at 2.5 metres or in a larger master bedroom.
Remember that bedroom TVs are often viewed from a slightly reclined position — this affects the optimal mounting height more than the size. See our TV mounting height guide for bedroom-specific advice.
Kitchen
Kitchen TVs are typically watched while cooking or eating — from variable distances and often not from a fixed seating position. A 32"–43" TV is standard for a kitchen. Larger screens in kitchens are distracting and unnecessary. The priority in kitchens is positioning — visibility from the cooking area without being in the way.
Home office
A home office TV is often used both as a second monitor and for occasional viewing. At desk distance (0.8–1.2 metres), a 27"–32" screen is comfortable as a monitor. For a TV used from a chair further away (1.5–2 metres), 40"–50" works well.
Does it matter what size TV we mount?
We mount TVs from 24" to 100"+ — screen size does not affect the mounting process significantly, though larger and heavier TVs require heavier-duty brackets. When you get a quote, tell us the screen size and we will confirm the right bracket. Full details of our service here.