The Perfect Screen Size: How to Choose the Right TV Size for Your Room
Knowing how to choose a TV size can elevate your viewing experience but failing to choose the TV size for a room can create eye strain and neck pain, leading to regretful purchases. Whether you're outfitting your first Lubbock apartment from top to bottom or are in the market for an upgrade, learning how to choose the correct TV size for your room will get you the most enjoyment out of movies, sporting events, and favorite shows. Here at The Park Apartments in Lubbock, TX, we love to help our residents with important interior design choices, including the ideal size for a television in relation to the room itself. Thats why weve put together this handy guide. Lets dive in!
Why Choosing a TV Size is Important
Choosing the perfect television is not about choosing the biggest one you can afford. It's about knowing the concept of viewing distance. According to RTINGS, an independent source that tests televisions, today's 4K televisions allow people to sit much closer to them without seeing pixels than older HD televisions. Therefore, what we once knew to be sizing guidelines doesn't really apply.
How to Measure TV Size for a Room
Before you know how to measure TV size for a room, you must understand that televisions are measured by diagonal measurement from the top left corner to the bottom right. For example, a 65-inch TV measures approximately 55 inches across and 31 inches tall. However, more important than the actual measurement of the TV is the distance between your seating area and the TV placement. According to a comprehensive guide by TCL, to determine how many inches your seating area will be from your TV, you must multiply your screen size by 1.2. Therefore, if you're looking at a 55-inch television, multiply 55 x 1.2, and you get 66 inches or 5.5 feet.
What is a Good Size for a TV in a Living Room?
A good size for a TV in a living room comes with many variables, but good sizing in accordance with your room will help. For example, the average living room size is 7-12 feet, and good screen sizes are between 55 and 75 inches.
Many Lubbock apartments feature open concept living rooms with additional areas to consider when sizing your TV. For example, if families or guests are viewing the screen from multiple vantage points, then a slightly smaller screen is helpful. Dedicated media spaces can boast larger screens. Best Buy representatives also suggest that the mount versus the stand come into play as well. For example, mounting the TV could mean an additional 6-12 inches as a viewing distance, so bigger screens can fit where stands may not have the necessary depth. However, be careful when mounting TVs to the wall. It can cause damage to the apartment walls.
Room-Specific Sizing Recommendations
Living Rooms/Primary Entertainment Areas: 55-65 inches. This works well in most apartment layouts where a couch can be 8-10 feet away from the screen— 65 inches makes sense for good viewing from a distance without dominating the room.
Bedrooms: Generally, people watch about 6-8 feet from their screen. Ideal sizing is about 43-50 inches. A smaller screen is better, so neck strain from bed isn't an issue, but so much detail on the screen is still able to be seen.
Small Spaces: Ideal sizing is 32-43 inches. These are good quality screens that don't dominate too much square footage, where people need to stand back more for proper viewing distance.
The Problem with Too Large Screens
While larger screens look good, sizing too large can be uncomfortable for viewers. When they're too close up on a massive screen, it forces the eyes to strain as they have to rotate across the large screen rather than keeping their neck still and absorbing what's in front of them. Therefore, viewer fatigue—and headaches—set in.
Consider how you use your TV. For example, if you like to have a sports game on and need every blade of grass on the field to be clear, get a bigger screen; however, if you watch news and sitcoms, perhaps you don't need such a large size.
Lubbock Alternatives for Screens
Sometimes there are experiences that even the largest home screen cannot fulfill, so check out awesome alternatives around Lubbock when you're in the mood for something immersive! For movie time, check out Premiere Cinema Lubbock + IMAX, where they boast a 5-story giant IMAX. With motorized headrests, reclining seats, and Scene Bistro full service, food can be brought right to you!
When it comes to game day, nothing beats your local sports bar. Massive screens and electric atmospheres out on the town are better than your home—when your apartment just won't cut it.
Final Thoughts on Sizing a TV
Sizing comes down to personal preference, but balancing technical recommendations is key. Before you buy a TV—and tape off on your wall what size it will be to visualize—ensure you will have no trouble aesthetically when it comes to returning oversized or undersized TVs down the line.
Sizing correctly will avoid returns and hassle—but keep in mind what you think will work now might be different down the line. If you’re looking for your next apartment home in Lubbock, then visit us at The Park Apartments. We offer cozy 1, 2, and 3 bedroom floor plans that maximize comfort, style, and spaciousness. Every home is fitted with a fully equipped kitchen, energy efficient appliances, plush carpeting, large closets, and more. The open, breathable floor plans provide residents with ample room to place their dream television! Schedule your tour today and discover a fresh take on home at The Park Apartments.