Should I buy a 55-inch or 65-inch TV for a small living room?

For a small living room, the choice between a 55-inch and 65-inch TV mostly comes down to viewing distance, room layout, and how much wall space you have.

A good rule of thumb:

• Choose a 55-inch TV if your couch is under about 7.5 feet from the screen. It usually fits more comfortably in tighter rooms.
• Choose a 65-inch TV if you have about 7.5 to 8 feet or more of viewing distance. It will feel more immersive if the room can handle it.

If your room can comfortably fit a 65-inch model, that’s often the better long-term choice. People commonly end up wishing they had gone larger rather than smaller, but only if the TV won’t dominate the room or create awkward viewing angles.

Measure from your seating position to where the TV will sit, and if you’re right on the borderline, your room layout and personal preference should decide it.