You might think that deciding on the right size of TV is pretty simple – surely, you should just go for the largest that your room can physically accommodate?

That may be enough of a ‘rule of thumb’ for some people, but other buyers appreciate some guidelines for the right size of TV given their likely viewing distance. As a manufacturer of some pretty big TVs, here at Cello, we know a thing or two about choosing a size of TV that will neither overwhelm, nor underwhelm your room.

Cello is typical of the leading TV manufacturers in that it caters for most screen sizes, from 16 inches right up to 85 inches. If we absolutely had to provide a guideline, we would suggest that those purchasing a 28-inch screen TV, for example, watch it from a minimum viewing distance of 3.5 feet and a maximum viewing distance of 7 feet.

Looking further up the scale, the owner of a 42-inch TV may be best advised to view it from between 5.25 feet and 10.5 feet, while if you opt for a 60-inch set, you might plan for a viewing distance as long as 15 feet, but no less than 7.5 feet.

While these are suggestions that have long been made by the manufacturers of big TVs trying to satisfy customers eager for a rough guideline, the truth is that there are simply no hard-and-fast rules – and if rules are there to be broken, that most definitely applies to TV viewing distances.

Remember that choosing the right size of TV isn’t just about preferences – it’s also about what can physically fit into your space. So you should be sure to get out the tape measure, while bearing in mind that TVs are measured diagonally, meaning that just a few inches could make a massive difference to the set’s overall height and width.

Also keep in mind that TV bezel sizes can similarly drastically differ. With the dimensions that are usually quoted for TVs applying to the screen rather than the entire TV, you may need to factor this into your size calculations if the set that you are eyeing up has an especially large bezel.

Another (rough) guideline is to place bigger-screened TVs in bigger rooms and vice versa, although factors like seat placement, aesthetic preferences and simply how many people are actually likely to watch the TV at any one time will also all come into play.

Consider the TV’s weight, too. Bigger TVs inevitably tend to be heavier, so whether you intend to mount yours on a stand or the wall, you will need to ensure that your solution can safely support the TV.

Location is another big factor – for some bedrooms with awkward alcoves, your TV will be necessarily small, but in other spots, such as a lounge or entertainment room, you will want to impress with a much bigger unit.

Good luck with buying the perfect size of TV for your needs!