Best 65 Inch TV Picks: 5 Living Room Ideas: Practical, stylish 65" TV setups I’ve used in real projects

I once tried to hide a 65-inch TV behind a sliding cabinet door because a client thought it would look "cozy" — spoiler: the door jammed. That little fiasco taught me that a 65 inch TV in the living room is a design statement that needs planning, not hiding. Small choices like mounting height, surround lighting, and furniture scale can make or break the viewing experience.

1. Wall-mounted minimalist center

I love using a wall-mounted 65" as the focal point in modern living rooms. It clears floor space and lets me design a slim media console underneath for components and a couple of decorative pieces. The upside is a clean, airy look and better sightlines; the challenge is ensuring studs and proper cable management — hire help for safe installation.

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2. Recessed niche installation

Creating a recessed niche gives a built-in, tailor-made appearance that keeps the TV flush and reduces glare. I did this for a family who wanted a seamless wall; we added soft backlighting to reduce eye strain. It’s pricier and requires precise measurements, but the finished effect is worth it for a polished living room.

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3. Media unit with integrated storage

For homes needing storage, a low media cabinet under the 65" TV solves both aesthetics and function. I often design cabinets with hidden compartments for remotes and consoles — great for busy families. The trade-off is floor footprint, so choose a slim depth unit to keep traffic flowing.

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4. Corner placement for small rooms

If your living room is narrow, placing a 65" in the corner can be a lifesaver. I once rescued a tiny apartment layout this way, angling seating to get comfortable viewing without overpowering the room. It can complicate sound placement and mount selection, but it opens up usable wall space.

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5. TV as art with a gallery wall

Pairing a 65" TV with a curated gallery wall or floating shelves turns entertainment into a design feature. I balanced a large TV with framed art and plants to make it feel integrated rather than dominant. The main challenge is scale: too many items compete with the screen, so keep it balanced.

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Tips 1:

For accurate planning I often use online planning tools to mock up sightlines and furniture scale. If you want a quick layout to test different placements, try the 3D floor planner to visualize options before drilling holes.

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FAQ

Q1: What viewing distance is best for a 65 inch TV? A: A comfortable viewing distance is typically 1.5 to 2.5 times the diagonal screen size — about 8 to 13.5 feet for a 65" TV.

Q2: Should I mount a 65" TV on the wall or place it on a console? A: Wall-mounting saves floor space and improves sightlines, while a console adds storage and easier access to devices; choose based on your storage needs and room layout.

Q3: How high should a 65" TV be mounted? A: Mount so the center of the screen is roughly at eye level when seated, usually 42–48 inches from the floor in most living rooms.

Q4: Are OLED or QLED better for a living room? A: OLED offers superior blacks and contrast for darker rooms, QLED is brighter and can be better in bright living rooms; consider your room’s lighting when choosing.

Q5: Do I need a soundbar with a 65" TV? A: Most modern 65" TVs have decent sound, but a soundbar significantly improves dialogue clarity and cinematic experience.

Q6: How do I reduce glare on a 65" TV? A: Position the TV perpendicular to windows, use window treatments, or add anti-glare coatings; proper placement and lighting control help a lot.

Q7: Can a 65" TV fit in a small living room? A: Yes, with careful furniture arrangement and possibly corner placement; test sightlines and use a room mockup to avoid overwhelming the space. For quick mockups, the free floor plan creator is handy.

Q8: Where can I find authoritative TV size recommendations? A: The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) and consumer electronics reviews provide research-based guidelines (see SMPTE publications for standards).

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