For most living rooms, a 55-inch or 65-inch TV is the right size. A simple rule of thumb is to measure from where you sit to where the screen will go, in inches, and divide by about 1.5 to 2. If you sit around 2.5 metres away, a 50 to 65-inch screen will feel comfortable, not overpowering. At these sizes nearly every TV is now 4K, so the bigger choice is the picture type. Pick OLED if you watch films in the evening with the lights low, because each pixel switches off completely for deep, inky blacks. Pick QLED (or Neo QLED) if your living room is bright, you watch a lot of daytime sport, or the TV sits opposite a window, because these screens go brighter and cope better with glare. If you game, look for a 120Hz screen and HDMI 2.1 ports on either type.
How far should you sit from your TV?
Distance matters more than the size of the room itself. With a 4K picture you can sit closer than you could with an old HD set without seeing any fuzziness, so many people find they can go a size bigger than they expected. As a rough guide:
| Distance from seat to screen | Comfortable screen size |
|---|---|
| Under 1.5 metres | 32 to 43 inches |
| 1.5 to 2 metres | 43 to 50 inches |
| 2 to 2.5 metres | 50 to 55 inches |
| 2.5 to 3 metres | 55 to 65 inches |
| Over 3 metres | 65 to 75 inches and up |
A few practical checks before you buy:
- Mark it out. Cut a piece of cardboard to the screen size, or tape the outline on the wall, and live with it for a day or two. It is the quickest way to see whether it feels right.
- Measure your unit. If the TV stands on feet, check how far apart they sit. Some larger sets have feet near each end, so the stand needs to be nearly as wide as the screen.
- Think about eye level. The middle of the screen should be roughly at eye height when you are seated. Mounting a big TV high above a fireplace can be uncomfortable for long viewing.
- Remember the screen size is diagonal. A 65-inch TV is roughly 1.45 metres wide, so measure the space across, not just corner to corner.
What does 4K actually mean?
4K is the resolution, meaning the number of dots (pixels) that make up the picture. A 4K screen has four times as many as a Full HD one, so the picture stays sharp even on a big screen or when you sit close. It is now standard on almost every TV from 43 inches upwards. Smaller sets, such as 32-inch bedroom or kitchen TVs, are often HD instead, which is perfectly fine at that size.
Because 4K is a given, it is the panel type, the brightness and the picture processing that make the real difference between one TV and another.
OLED or QLED: which suits your room?
Both are excellent. The right one depends on how and when you watch.
Choose OLED if
- You mostly watch in the evening or with the curtains drawn
- Film nights and dramas are your main viewing
- You want the deepest blacks and strong contrast, as each pixel makes its own light and can switch off fully
- You often watch from the side of the room, as OLED holds its picture well at an angle
Choose QLED or Neo QLED if
- Your living room gets lots of daylight or the TV faces a window
- You watch plenty of daytime sport or news
- You want a bright, punchy picture at a lower price per inch
- You want a very large screen, where QLED and Mini LED sets are usually better value
You will also see Mini LED and Neo QLED. These use many tiny lights behind the screen, so they can brighten and dim different areas for better contrast than a standard LED TV. They sit nicely between everyday LED and OLED.
What should you look for if you game?
- 120Hz refresh rate for smoother motion on current consoles and PCs
- HDMI 2.1 ports, ideally more than one if you have a console and a soundbar
- VRR and ALLM, which reduce tearing and switch the TV into a low-lag game mode automatically
- Size and seating: gamers often sit closer, so a slightly smaller screen can be easier on the eyes
Which TV brands do we stock?
- Sony is known for natural, film-like picture processing, with Google TV built in on its BRAVIA range. See our Sony range.
- Samsung is best known for bright QLED and Neo QLED screens, plus The Frame, designed to look like a picture on the wall. Browse our Samsung televisions.
- LG is closely associated with OLED and is a popular choice for film fans and gamers.
- TCL focuses on strong features at sensible prices, especially in larger sizes. Have a look at our TCL TVs.
- Metz is a well-established European TV name with a straightforward approach.
Our picks in stock now
Our Black Friday deals run until 1 December, so a number of TVs are reduced at the moment. Here are a few we would happily recommend:
- Sony BRAVIA 2 II 43-inch 4K Direct LED Google TV, £529 (was £549). A sensible 4K choice for a smaller room or a seat under two metres away.
- Samsung QE55QN80H 55-inch 4K Neo QLED Vision AI Smart TV, £899. Good for a bright living room and daytime sport.
- Samsung QE65QN73H 65-inch 4K Neo QLED Vision AI Smart TV, £949. A big screen for a seat around three metres away, at a friendly price per inch.
- Sony K55XR80PU 55-inch 4K OLED TV, £1,199 (was £1,499). Our pick for film nights in a dimmer room.
- Sony K65XR80U 65-inch 4K OLED TV, £1,599. The same deep OLED blacks on a larger screen for bigger lounges.
For more detail on features such as HDR and sound, read our TV buying guide.
Want to see them before you decide?
Pictures on a website never quite show the difference between OLED and QLED, so call into our shops in Banbridge and Portadown and compare screens side by side with our team. If you order online, Click & Collect lets you pick up from either shop, and we offer delivery and installation across Northern Ireland, so we can set up your new TV and get it tuned in.
Prices correct at 31 October 2026.
Questions people ask
What size TV do I need for a 2.5 metre viewing distance?
Around 50 to 65 inches suits most people at 2.5 metres. Measure your seating distance in inches and divide by 1.5 to 2 for a comfortable range.
Is OLED better than QLED?
Neither is better for everyone. OLED gives deeper blacks and suits dimmer rooms and film nights, while QLED goes brighter and suits sunny living rooms and daytime sport.
Do I still need to look for 4K?
4K is now standard on almost every TV from 43 inches up, so focus on the panel type, brightness and processing instead. Smaller 32-inch sets are often HD, which is fine at that size.
What should gamers look for in a TV?
Look for a 120Hz refresh rate, HDMI 2.1 ports, and VRR and ALLM support for smoother motion and lower lag.
How can I check a TV size will fit my room?
Cut cardboard to the screen size or tape the outline on the wall, and check the width of your TV unit against where the feet sit.
