Designing living rooms with TV placement in mind

Many homeowners arrange their living rooms with TV placement as their priority. As a common focal point, a TV can pose some design challenges, especially in small or unusually shaped rooms.

However, there are plenty of places to put your television in your living room without sacrificing style or comfort. To help you find the best arrangement for your living space, here are some points to consider:

Power source & outlet placement

Concerning practicality, it's important to think about placing your TV near an outlet or power source. Extension cords are plentiful and useful, but it can be a hassle to route an abundance of wiring around the room.

Remember to account for your other devices when planning TV placement as well. It’s not only your TV you’ll be plugging in - DVD, Blu-ray, sound systems and game consoles all require power of their own.

Windows & screen glare

Think about where your windows are in the room and avoid placing your TV directly opposite of them. If you have east or west-facing windows, consider the glare from low-angled sunshine early and late in the day.

Window screen glare can be eliminated by heavy curtains or closed blinds. Other sources of glare, like task or accent lighting, should be avoided when possible for a clear picture.

TV stands & living room furniture

Consider what support you need for your television. If wall mounting a TV, identify and measure the locations of studs before drilling any holes. If you prefer to use a TV stand, consider what style will work best in your living room.

Open shelves keep your components easily accessible, while closed cabinets have a sleeker aesthetic. For a fully integrated entertainment center, plan your TV placement alongside wall shelves for the best possible use of wall space.