In this article, we are going to determine the appropriate height for mounting your TV and also find out how to adjust a TV that’s mounted too high.
Once you have unboxed your new flat-screen TV, mounting it on your living room wall should top the list of your priorities. You wouldn’t want your precious asset to topple over and get damaged within the first few days.
Plus, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV offers the much-needed, theater-like viewing angle you enjoy in cinema halls. However, most people face the dilemma of how high a TV ought to be mounted. Well, we will try to ease the confusion by offering an easy solution to getting a perfect TV mounting height.
You can determine if your TV is mounted too high if you have to raise your head too high anytime you have to watch your favorite TV shows or if your eyes and neck feel strained whenever you are watching TV for a prolonged period. To fix a TV that is mounted too high you can fix your seating position (move further away from the TV) or your viewing angle (tilt the TV down or get a higher chair).
Let’s learn more.
Is My TV Mounted Too High?
There’s a solid chance that if you post a photo of your wall-mounted TV, you will get a chorus of ‘TV too high’ comments.
Even if you feel that you have mounted your TV at the right location, someone will still insist that your TV is mounted too high. Worst still, your family or friends may ask you to adjust the mounting height to suit their needs.
Well, it’s easy to determine if the TV is mounted too high. Here are a few indicators:
- You find yourself raising your head too high anytime you have to watch your favorite TV shows
- Your eyes and neck feel strained whenever you are watching TV for a prolonged period.
If this goes on for a long period, you may strain your back muscles and even put pressure on your spine. This further leads to constant backaches, lower back pain, and even headaches.
How High Should My TV Be Mounted
Ideally, the middle of the screen should be a bit above your eye level whenever you are sitting on the couch.
Remember that the typical seat usually has a height of 19 inches. Add this dimension to the sitting eye height of the tallest female, which is typically 23 inches above the seat.
If you combine these two dimensions, the right height to mount your TV should be about 42 inches from the floor.
Here are a few more factors that can help you get a comfortable TV viewing height:
TV Size
Modern flat-screen TVs come in a variety of sizes. Some of the common sizes you are likely to find on the market include 32”, 42”, 49”, 55”, and 65”.
If your TV model is large, it should be mounted slightly higher than smaller models. After all, large models usually occupy more space, and placing them on a higher point helps provide a comfortable viewing position.
Viewing Distance
Besides the size of your TV, you should pay attention to the size and layout of your room. Before you mount your TV in any room, you should ask yourself the following questions.
- Will the TV be at a comfortable distance from the nearest sitting area?
- Will the TV be affected by sunlight glare?
- Are there objects between the seating area and the mounting wall that can block your view?
Answering these questions can help you find an optimal position to mount your TV. Also, remember that the viewing distance is based on the size of the TV. It can be measured from your couch to the wall where the TV is to be mounted.
The optimal viewing distance is calculated by taking the size of your TV, then dividing it by 0.55. For instance, a 55-inch TV should be 100 inches away from your seat. If the TV is too close, you may strain your neck since you have to lift your head higher when watching the TV.
However, if you are too far from the TV, chances are that you will feel less engrossed in whatever you are watching.
Studs and Old Mounts
Some people are forced to mount their TV high because their studs are already mounted high (for example renters). Check out this guide on what to do if your TV studs are too high.
If you are using a TV mount that is already there, you may not want to add new mounts. In fact, you should be careful with old TV mounts. Check out this guide to know if you can reuse your TV wall mount.
Are You Reclining?
If you use recliner seats, you may have to mount your TV a bit higher. However, your viewing angle should not exceed 15 degrees above the center of your screen.
Also, be sure to have the TV at a comfortable height so you don’t strain your neck when you don’t need to recline your seat.
How To Fix A TV That Is Mounted Too High
If your TV is mounted too high, you can fix it by either tilting it downwards or removing the entire mounting setup and fixing it at a better location. If you have a full-motion or moving wall mount, then you are in luck.
Most of these movable mounting brackets allow you to tilt the TV by up to 20 degrees upwards or downwards. You can further tilt it either left or right by up to 60 degrees.
You can also move your chair further away from the TV if you have the space. In some cases, getting a higher chair can help as well.
How To Lower A TV Without A Moving Mount
Sadly, some TV mounting brackets do not come with movable mounts. This means that you have to uninstall the wall bracket and re-install it in a new position.
If you have to unmount your TV, here are the steps that can help you do it correctly:
- Switch off the TV from the wall socket, and unplug the cables that connect your TV to other devices such as the video game console, and home theatre systems, among other accessories.
- Unlock the safety lock mechanism of your wall mount, tilt the TV, and then lift it to remove it from the wall mount. You may need to ask for an extra hand to ensure you don’t drop it.
- After safely setting the TV aside, unscrew the mounting bracket from the back of the TV.
- You can have your friends hold the TV at a lower location so you can move back to determine if the new location is ideal. Once you get an ideal mounting position, take the time to mark where to install the wall mounting bracket.
- Then, with the wall mount installed at a lower position, mount the TV afresh.
P.S. If you aren’t a DIY enthusiast, you can always hire a professional to help you mount your TV in the new position.
Conclusion
Whether you have purchased a plasma, LCD, or LED TV, now you have all the information you need to find the optimal TV-mounting position so you can have a better view of your favorite shows. Also, having the TV at the correct height can help prevent neck pain, backaches, and even eye strain.