When the TV, artwork, and picture light share one calm axis, the wall reads expensive—no matter the size of the room. This TAS Living guide gives exact heights, spacings, and lighting geometry for a quiet, premium composition in Indian homes.
Why Sightline Discipline = Luxury
Most living rooms feel “busy” because the centers of things don’t agree. The TV is set by bracket convenience, the artwork is hung by guesswork, and the picture light floats somewhere above it all. Luxury is simply centerline agreement—one invisible vertical through the wall that the eye trusts.
TAS principle: Choose a single Calm Axis. Place the TV center, art center, and picture light relative to that axis. Then match metals and keep the cable discipline invisible.
Step 1 — Find Your Calm Axis (90 seconds)
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Measure seated eye level: For most Indian households, this lands around 102–110 cm AFF (above finished floor). Use a tape while seated on the actual sofa.
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Mark the TV center: Put painter’s tape on the wall at your eye-level mark. This is your TV screen center target.
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Drop a vertical line: Use a spirit level or laser to mark a plumb line through that point. That line is your Calm Axis.
The TV should be mounted so the screen center ≈ the seated eye level (±5–8 cm if you have unusually low or high sofas).
Step 2 — Place the TV (then the world follows)
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TV screen center: Aim at your measured eye level (~102–110 cm AFF).
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Soundbar: Sits below the TV, and its front edge in the same plane as the runner fascia. Leave 5–8 cm gap below the TV so IR/sensors remain visible.
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Viewing distance (quick check):
|
TV Diagonal |
Comfortable Viewing Distance |
|
55" |
2.0–2.3 m |
|
65" |
2.3–2.7 m |
|
75" |
2.7–3.1 m |
|
83" |
3.0–3.5 m |
If your room is shorter than the suggested distance, reduce TV size or choose a higher-contrast panel to avoid eye fatigue.
Step 3 — Hang Art that Doesn’t Fight the TV
Art should reinforce the axis, not argue with it.
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Art center = TV center (same height): Align the artwork’s center to the Calm Axis height (the same as TV center).
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Relative scale:
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Portrait piece works well beside larger TVs—adds vertical poise.
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Landscape piece suits medium TVs or wide walls.
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Spacing:
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If art sits adjacent to the TV: 6–10 cm of visual air between TV frame and art frame.
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If separated by a pilaster/panel: ≥20 cm gap, but keep the centers equal.
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Pro move: If the wall is asymmetric, anchor the axis to the sofa/coffee-table center (furniture center), not architectural center, so composition aligns with how you sit.
Step 4 — Light It Like a Gallery (Picture Lights & Washers)
Picture lights should kiss the art, not scorch it.
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Mounting height: Install the picture light 7–12 cm above the frame.
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Aim angle: 30–35° down so the brightest spot lands about one-third down the artwork.
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Colour quality: Use CRI ≥ 90, 2700–3000K (choose one CCT for the whole wall).
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Glare control: Avoid ceiling downlights directly over TV glass; instead, cross-light from the side or use a gentle wall washer.
If you prefer wall washers to picture lights, keep the beam cone centered on the Calm Axis and hold the same CCT and CRI across sources.
Step 5 — One Plane, One Finish
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One plane: Keep the soundbar fascia and runner fascia in a single plane. It reads tailored and reduces “bits-and-pieces” noise.
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One metal: Choose satin brass or matte black. Repeat it across picture lights, runner hardware, and any visible trims. Mixed metals dilute the luxury.
Step 6 — Power & Cable Hygiene (invisible = premium)
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Behind TV: 1 × power + 1 × data (HDMI/eARC) + brush plate to the runner.
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Inside runner: 2–3 × power; 32 mm conduit with pull string for HDMI heads; label both ends.
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Floating runners: a floor outlet under the unit keeps leads invisible.
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Stone floors (India-first): avoid stick-on covers; route inside conduits.
Three Layout Recipes You Can Copy Today
A) Paired Axis (TV with partner artwork)
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TV: screen center ≈ eye level on Calm Axis.
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Art: hang beside TV; art center = TV center.
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Picture light: +7–12 cm above frame, ~32° aim.
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Why it works: Balanced weights, centers agree; the eye reads calm.
B) Stacked Axis (TV over runner; art offset)
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Runner: floating top ~45–55 cm AFF; soundbar fascia flush with runner.
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TV: center ≈ eye level.
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Art: small piece offset left/right, but its center height matches TV center.
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Picture light: small scale, aligned to the art’s midpoint.
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Why it works: TV, soundbar, and runner share a vertical; art still respects the axis.
C) Gallery Axis (wide wall, large rooms)
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TV: on axis;
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Art: twin pieces flanking the TV, each center-matched to the TV center;
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Lighting: continuous picture-light rail or matched pair of picture lights;
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Why it works: Symmetry with one shared centerline feels museum-calm.
Mistakes That Break the Calm (Avoid These)
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Aligning TV top to art top (centers don’t match → visual tension).
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Mixed metals (brass + chrome + black) on a single wall.
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Picture light too high or aimed straight down (hotspots, glare).
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Warm/cool mix on the same wall (cheap feel).
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Visible cables or tiny conduits that can’t be serviced later.
- Soundbar above the TV (dialogue projects over you; axis breaks).
FAQs
What height should I mount my TV in the living room?
Mount so the screen center ≈ seated eye level (usually ~102–110 cm AFF). You can adjust ±5–8 cm for unusually low/high sofas.
How high above the artwork should a picture light be?
Typically 7–12 cm above the frame, aimed 30–35° so the hotspot lands ~one-third down the art.
Can a soundbar sit above the TV?
Avoid it. Place the soundbar below the TV; keep its front edge flush with the runner fascia and maintain 5–8 cm clearance below the TV for sensors.
How do I center TV and art on an asymmetric wall?
Anchor the Calm Axis to the furniture center (sofa/coffee table). The eye reads symmetry from where you sit, not the architectural middle.
What colour temperature is best for TV walls and art?
Use one CCT across the wall—2700–3000K with CRI ≥ 90 for accurate skin tones, fabrics, and artwork.
Summary
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Calm Axis: decide one vertical; place TV center, art center, picture light around it.
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Heights: TV center ≈ 102–110 cm AFF; picture light +7–12 cm over frame; soundbar below TV, fascia flush with runner.
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Lighting: aim picture light 30–35°; CRI ≥ 90, 2700–3000K; avoid downlight glare on TV glass.
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Discipline: one plane (soundbar + runner), one metal finish repeated, invisible cabling.
Result: a quiet, premium wall that photographs beautifully and ages well.
