Distance and size
Screen size and seating distance work together. Sitting too close shows pixels and too far shrinks the picture.
Rows
A second row needs to see over the first. Risers or careful spacing help.
Center the seating
Center the main seat on the screen and speakers for the best sound and picture.
Leave space for walking
Plan aisles and access, and keep space behind seating for speakers.
Use the planner
Try our theater planner to see how room size, seats and speakers fit together.
Rules of thumb
For a TV, many people sit about 1 to 1.5 times the screen's diagonal away for an immersive view in 4K. For a projector screen, the first row is often about 1.2 to 1.5 times the screen width away. These are starting points; personal preference and room shape matter.
Two rows
A second row usually needs a riser of around 12 inches so people can see over the first row. Leave enough depth for recliners to open, plus a walkway behind or beside the rows.
Speakers and seats
Surround and height speakers are placed relative to the main seating position. Deciding seating before the speakers keeps the sound balanced for everyone, not just one seat.
Sightlines
Keep the bottom of the screen high enough that the front row doesn't block it, and avoid mounting a screen so high that viewers tilt their heads back.
Common questions
How big a screen for my room?
See what size TV or ask us during a visit.
Should I use a projector?
For large screens in a room you can darken, yes. See projector installation.
Do you design the whole room?
Yes. See home theater.