Is 85 TV too big for living room?

The Rise of LargeScreen Living

Over the past decade, TV screens have dramatically increased in size while decreasing in price. According to the Consumer Technology Association, the average TV screen size in US households is now around 50 inches – up from just 37 inches in 2012.

This growth is driven by several factors:

– More affordable large-format screens and 4K resolution.
– Larger living spaces with more wall space to fit bigger TVs.
– Immersive viewing experiences made possible by streaming, Blu-Ray, and gaming systems.

But just because you *can* fit an 85-inch TV in your living room doesn‘t necessarily mean you should. A screen this size requires careful planning to ensure it enhances – rather than overwhelms – your space.

Let‘s explore the key considerations around integrating an 85" TV into your home.

Living Room Size Recommendations

An 85" TV measures approximately 74" wide x 42" tall without a stand. Diagonally, it‘s nearly 7 feet across.

Clearly, this calls for a spacious room:

– **Minimum living room size:** 400 sq ft. This allows enough wall space so the TV doesn‘t dominate.

– **Ideal living room size:** 500+ sq ft. Comfortably fits the TV with room for seating and traffic flow.

– **Too small for 85" TV:** Under 300 sq ft. Will make the room feel crowded and cramped.

As a general guideline, your TV should only occupy 25-30% of total wall space. Any more, and it will overpower instead of complementing the room.

Optimal Viewing Distance

While a massive 85" screen may sound tempting, you don‘t want to sit so close that you strain your eyes or neck to see the whole picture.

Experts including THX recommend the following viewing distances:

– **4K TV:** Minimum of 8 feet, ideal 10-11 feet.
– **1080p HD TV:** 10-12 feet.
– **Under 1080p:** 12 feet or more.

Here‘s a quick chart to find the ideal seating distance range based on your planned 85" TV‘s resolution:

| TV Resolution | Minimum Distance | Ideal Distance |
|-|-|-|
| 4K/UHD | 8 feet | 10-11 feet |
| 1080p Full HD | 10 feet | 11-12 feet |
| Under 1080p | 12 feet | 13+ feet |

Test out a few seating options at different distances to find your ideal eye-level viewing before mounting your new 85" screen.

TV Height and Mounting Considerations

Place the center of your 85" screen at eye level – around 44-60 inches from the floor based on your seated position. This prevents neck strain from constantly looking up or down.

For optimal stability with a TV this large, a fixed wall mount is recommended over an articulating arm. Reinforced toggle bolts or wood stud installation provide the most secure mounting into drywall or plaster.

If you‘ll instead place your 85" TV on a media console, ensure it can safely hold 150+ lbs with the base of the screen at least 4-6" from the edge. An anti-tip strap secured to the wall provides extra stability.

Living Room Furniture Arrangement

Your living room layout should complement your supersized 85" TV viewing:

– Angle sofa seating directly across from the screen at your ideal viewing distance.
– Swivel chairs allow you to pivot easily between conversation areas and TV viewing.
– Leave ample "traffic space" between furniture and walls. 3 feet minimum is ideal, especially behind sofa.
– Arrange ancillary seating like loveseats and side chairs at a slight angle to enjoy the TV while maintaining intimacy for conversation.

Here are more suggestions for incorporating 85" TV viewing into your living room furniture layout:

* Place sofa 8-12 feet from TV
* Leave 16-28 inches between sofa and coffee table
* Allow ample leg room – at least 18 inches between edge of sofa and TV stand
* Arrange side chairs or love seats at a 25-60 degree angle
* Use swivel chairs to pivot between TV viewing and conversation areas
* Leave 3+ feet behind sofa and chairs for traffic flow

Decor Tips to Minimize Visual Impact

Even the most spacious living rooms can feel dominated by an 85-inch screen. Use these decorating tricks to minimize its visual impact:

– Paint or wallpaper the TV wall in a dark, receding color like navy or charcoal. Avoid light walls behind the TV.
– Incorporate artwork, greenery, or architectural accents around the screen to soften edges.
– Choose a TV console, shelves and side tables in a matching wood tone or finish to create a unified look.
– Conceal unsightly wires with wall-mounted power kits, raceways, or recess them inside the wall.
– Install bias lighting strips behind the TV to reduce contrast with surrounding walls.
– Use screens or partial walls to zone part of a large open living room specifically for media viewing.

With careful planning, an 85" TV can feel like part of a cohesive living room design, not an overwhelming presence.

Technical Considerations for an 85" Screen

Beyond physical space, an 85" TV requires robust technology for compelling picture quality without lag or distortion. Key factors to consider:

**4K Resolution**

At this screen size, a 4K (or Ultra High Definition) picture is strongly recommended. With over 8 million pixels compared to just 2 million on 1080p HD, 4K provides astonishing clarity and detail. Sitting 8-10 feet away, most viewers can‘t discern individual pixels.

Upscaling hardware allows lower resolution content to take advantage of 4K displays by intelligently enhancing image quality. Virtually all streaming platforms and Blu-ray discs now support 4K.

**High Dynamic Range (HDR)**

HDR expands a 4K image‘s color range, contrast, and brightness for stunning realism. It‘s especially impactful on larger screens. Ensure any 85" 4K TV includes HDR compatibility – particularly HDR10 and Dolby Vision which have wide content support.

**Refresh Rate**

A higher refresh rate between 60-120 Hz reduces motion blur fast-action movies and gaming. This leads to smoother, sharper visuals critical for larger screens.

**Smart TV Platform**

All major platforms like webOS, Roku TV, and Android TV offer robust apps for streaming 4K content from Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+ and more. Apple TV boxes and gaming consoles also deliver 4K streaming.

**Sound**

While large screens underscore the importance of video quality, don‘t neglect audio. Soundbars and surround systems prevent the tinny, weak sound some slimmer TVs offer. Integrated speakers behind an acoustically transparent screen can provide an immersive audio-visual experience.

**Connectivity**

Ensure your 85" TV has sufficient HDMI ports for connecting media devices, gaming systems, and AV receivers. ARC/eARC ports allow easy integration of surround sound. Connections like USB, Bluetooth, and WiFi 5 ensure flexibility.

**Energy Efficiency**

An 85" television can consume over twice the power of smaller sets. ENERGY STAR certified TVs meet stringent energy efficiency guidelines, while LED backlighting uses up to 40% less energy than traditional LCD TVs.

Is An 85" TV Right for You?

While 85" televisions deliver an extraordinary cinematic experience, they also require substantial space, seating adjustments, and investment in home technology.

Carefully measure your living room and map out furniture placement before committing to a screen this large. A set that seems massive on the retail showroom floor may underwhelm once installed in an undersized home.

Likewise, be sure to equip an 85" screen with proper 4K source devices, sound systems, and picture settings to unlock its full impact.

For many dedicated home theater fans and sports fans, however, the sheer scale and excitement of an 85" TV makes the required investments worthwhile. Paired with the right space, seating, and tech gear, it unleashes the power of theater-sized viewing in your own living room.