Choosing the right TV size is one of the most important decisions you'll make when purchasing a new television. Too small, and you'll struggle to appreciate the picture quality and immerse yourself in content. Too large, and the TV can overwhelm your space or cause viewing discomfort. Getting it right means balancing your room dimensions, viewing distance, and personal preferences.
This guide will help you calculate the ideal TV size for any room in your Australian home, whether you're furnishing a compact apartment bedroom or a spacious suburban living room. We'll cover the science behind viewing distance, practical room-by-room recommendations, and tips to measure your space accurately.
The Science of Viewing Distance
The optimal viewing distance depends on TV resolution. Higher resolution screens can be viewed from closer distances without seeing individual pixels. With 4K (Ultra HD) now the standard, you can sit much closer than was recommended for older HD televisions.
4K TV Viewing Distance Formula
For 4K TVs, the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) recommends a viewing angle of about 30 degrees for an immersive experience. This translates to a viewing distance of approximately 1.5 times the screen's diagonal measurement for an immersive experience, or up to 2.5 times for more casual viewing.
Minimum distance: TV size (inches) x 3.8 = distance in centimetres
Maximum distance: TV size (inches) x 6.4 = distance in centimetres
For example, a 65" TV works well at 2.5m to 4.2m viewing distance.
Viewing Distance Reference Chart
Here's a quick reference for common TV sizes and their ideal viewing distances:
- 43 inch TV: 1.6m to 2.8m viewing distance
- 50 inch TV: 1.9m to 3.2m viewing distance
- 55 inch TV: 2.1m to 3.5m viewing distance
- 65 inch TV: 2.5m to 4.2m viewing distance
- 75 inch TV: 2.9m to 4.8m viewing distance
- 85 inch TV: 3.2m to 5.4m viewing distance
These ranges represent the optimal zone - sitting within this range provides comfortable viewing without visible pixels or eye strain.
How to Measure Your Room
Before shopping, accurately measure your space to determine the maximum TV size that fits comfortably and the viewing distance you'll have:
Step 1: Measure Available Width
Measure the width of your entertainment unit, wall space, or the area where the TV will be placed. The TV should fit comfortably with some margin on each side. Remember that the TV stand often extends beyond the screen width.
Step 2: Measure Viewing Distance
Measure from where the TV will be positioned to your primary seating position. This is the key measurement for determining optimal size. Measure to where viewers' eyes will be, not the back of the couch.
Step 3: Consider Height Placement
The centre of the TV screen should ideally be at eye level when seated. Measure the height of your seated eye position to determine proper mounting height or stand placement.
Cut out a piece of cardboard in the size of the TV you're considering and place it where the TV will go. This gives you a real sense of how the size will look in your space - what seems enormous in a showroom may be perfect for your room.
Room-by-Room Recommendations
Australian Living Rooms
The average Australian living room has a viewing distance of 2.5 to 3.5 metres from the TV position to the main seating area. For this typical setup:
- Compact living rooms (2.5m): 55-65 inch TV
- Standard living rooms (3m): 65-75 inch TV
- Large living rooms (3.5m+): 75-85 inch TV
The most common regret among TV buyers is choosing a size too small. In our experience, most Australian living rooms benefit from at least a 65-inch TV for a genuinely immersive viewing experience.
Bedrooms
Bedroom TVs are typically viewed from shorter distances, often from the bed. Viewing distances of 2 to 2.5 metres are common:
- Small bedrooms: 43-50 inch TV
- Master bedrooms: 50-55 inch TV
- Large bedrooms with seating: 55-65 inch TV
Dedicated Home Theatres
Home theatre rooms prioritise immersion, so larger screens are appropriate even at moderate distances:
- Small theatre (3m): 75-85 inch TV
- Medium theatre (4m): 85+ inch TV or projector
- Large theatre (5m+): Consider a projector for 100"+ screen size
Kitchens and Secondary Spaces
TVs in kitchens, offices, or secondary viewing areas are typically smaller since they're not the focus of dedicated viewing:
- Kitchen counters: 32-43 inch TV
- Home offices: 43-50 inch TV (doubles as monitor)
- Guest rooms: 43-50 inch TV
Other Factors to Consider
Room Brightness
Brighter rooms with lots of natural light benefit from larger TVs, as the increased size compensates for the reduced perceived contrast. In very bright rooms, a larger QLED TV may be preferable to a smaller OLED for this reason.
Content Type
If you primarily watch sports or play video games, larger screens enhance the experience significantly. For news or background television, smaller sizes may suffice. Movie enthusiasts typically prefer the largest practical size for cinematic immersion.
Multiple Viewing Positions
If your room has multiple seating areas at different distances from the TV, size for the furthest regular viewing position. Those sitting closer will still have a great experience, but those too far away will feel the TV is too small.
If you're deciding between two sizes and both fit your space, choose the larger option. TVs are long-term purchases (7-10+ years), and viewers consistently adapt to and prefer larger screens over time. You're unlikely to regret going bigger, but may regret going smaller.
Physical Space Considerations
Stand vs. Wall Mount
Wall mounting allows for larger TVs in tight spaces since you don't need room for a stand. However, ensure your wall can support the TV's weight and you have a plan for cable management.
Entertainment Unit Dimensions
If using a stand, measure your entertainment unit carefully. The TV's stand feet need to fit on the surface - some TVs have feet at the outer edges requiring a wide unit, while others have a central stand. Always check stand dimensions in the TV specifications.
Doorways and Hallways
Consider how you'll get the TV into the room. Measure doorways and any turns in hallways. TVs 75 inches and larger can be challenging to manoeuvre through narrow passages, especially if the box needs to fit as well.
When Bigger Isn't Better
While we generally recommend erring on the larger side, there are scenarios where a smaller TV makes sense:
- Very short viewing distances where a larger screen would require neck movement to see the full picture
- Aesthetic preferences for a TV that doesn't dominate the room
- Budget constraints where a smaller high-quality TV beats a larger low-quality one
- Physical limitations of the space that simply won't accommodate a larger unit
Conclusion
Finding the right TV size comes down to measuring your space accurately and understanding how different sizes appear at your viewing distance. For most Australian homes, 55 to 75 inches covers the sweet spot for living rooms, while 43 to 55 inches works well for bedrooms. When in doubt, go larger - modern 4K TVs look great even at closer distances, and you'll appreciate the extra screen real estate for years to come.