How High to Mount TV in Bedroom: 7 Fixes That Save Your Neck

Most people treat the bedroom television exactly like the one in the living room, and that is usually the first mistake. When we design a master suite, we are dealing with entirely different ergonomics compared to a lounge space. In the living room, you sit upright; in the bedroom, you recline, stack pillows, or lie completely flat.

I recently worked with a client who complained of chronic headaches, only to realize her bedroom TV was mounted at the standard 42-inch center height used for sofas. She was tucking her chin into her chest every night to see the screen, creating immense strain. For plenty of visual inspiration on bedroom layouts and mounting solutions, remember that the Picture Gallery is at the end of the blog post.

As an architect and interior designer with a background in evidence-based design, I approach this problem by looking at the physiology of the human body first. We need to align your technology with your natural resting gaze to prevent strain and promote relaxation. Here is how to find the perfect height, keep your cables safe from pets, and style the wall so it doesn’t look like a sports bar.

1. The Science of the Reclined Gaze

Evidence-based design teaches us that our environment directly impacts our physical health. When you are sitting upright in a dining chair, your natural gaze is straight ahead. However, as soon as you recline back against a headboard, your line of sight naturally shifts upward.

If you mount the TV too low in a bedroom, you force your neck muscles to flex forward. This position, often called “text neck,” can restrict airflow and increase tension before sleep. Conversely, mounting it on the ceiling (which some attempt) forces hyperextension.

The sweet spot relies on the angle of your headboard and your preferred pillow stack. For most adults, the natural gaze while reclining in bed is roughly 10 to 15 degrees higher than when sitting upright. This means the standard “eye-level” rule used in living rooms needs to be thrown out the window.

Designer’s Note:
In my practice, I never use a standard height chart for bedrooms because mattress heights vary wildly. A platform bed might be 18 inches off the floor, while a traditional mattress on a box spring can reach 30 inches. Always measure the bed first.

2. Calculating Your Ideal Mounting Height

To save your neck, we need to do some specific math based on your furniture. You cannot guess this number. You need a tape measure and, ideally, a partner to help you spot the wall.

Start by measuring the distance from the floor to the top of your mattress. Next, sit in bed in your typical viewing position. If you watch TV sitting up with two pillows behind you, get in that position. If you watch lying almost flat, get in that position.

Have your partner measure from the floor to your eye level while you are in that relaxed pose. This measurement represents the absolute bottom limit of where your screen should be. Ideally, the bottom third of the TV screen should align with this eye-level measurement.

The “Chin-Tuck” Test

There is a simple physical test I use to verify this height. Sit in bed and look at the proposed spot on the wall. If you feel the need to tuck your chin down even a fraction of an inch, the TV is too low.

If you have to lift your chin significantly, it is too high. The goal is a neutral cervical spine. For most standard beds (25 inches high), the center of the TV usually lands roughly 45 to 50 inches off the floor. This is significantly higher than living room standards.

3. Distance Ratios and Screen Size

One of the most common mistakes I see in bedroom design is selecting a television that is physically too large for the foot of the bed. In evidence-based design, we look at visual overwhelm. A massive screen looming over the bed can disrupt the feeling of sanctuary.

The distance between your eyes and the screen determines the optimal resolution and size. In a bedroom, your head is usually against the wall opposite the TV. Measure the distance from your headboard to the wall where the TV will mount.

General Sizing Rules:

• 6–7 feet distance: Look for a 43-inch to 50-inch screen.
• 8–10 feet distance: You can comfortably go up to 55 inches.
• Over 10 feet: A 60-inch screen is acceptable, but ensure it doesn’t dwarf the dresser below it.

If the TV is too big and mounted too high, you might feel like you are sitting in the front row of a movie theater. This causes eye strain because your eyes have to constantly dart around to take in the whole image.

4. Working Around Dressers and Furniture

In many bedrooms, the TV must live above a dresser or chest of drawers. This introduces a constraint: the furniture height. You generally want a gap of at least 4 to 6 inches between the top of the dresser and the bottom of the TV.

If you place the TV directly on the dresser using the factory stand, it is almost always too low for comfortable viewing from bed. You will likely end up looking through your toes or getting blocked by a pile of duvet covers. Wall mounting is superior here because it clears the surface space for decor.

Common Mistake + Fix:
Mistake: Mounting the TV so high that it looks disconnected from the dresser, floating aimlessly on the wall.
Fix: Bridge the gap visually. If the TV needs to be high for ergonomic reasons, place a shallow tray, a stack of books, or a low plant on the dresser. This connects the furniture to the screen, making them feel like one cohesive unit.

5. The Tilt Fix: Why Hardware Matters

If you must mount the television higher than 50 inches—perhaps due to a very tall tallboy dresser or a fireplace—you absolutely need a tilting mount. A static flat mount at a high elevation will degrade picture quality and force your neck into an uncomfortable extension.

A tilting bracket allows you to angle the screen downward by 10 to 15 degrees. This restores the perpendicular viewing angle required for a clear image. It also reduces glare from overhead lighting fixtures or windows on opposite walls.

From a pet-friendly design perspective, I prefer articulating arms or heavy-duty tilt mounts over static stands. Cats are notorious for walking along dressers and rubbing against TVs. A wobbly stand is a disaster waiting to happen. A secured wall mount keeps the heavy electronics out of the “crash zone.”

6. Pet Safety and Cable Management

Speaking of pets, dangling wires in a bedroom are a major hazard. To a puppy or a curious cat, a hanging HDMI cable looks like a toy. If they pull it, they can damage the port or bring a soundbar crashing down.

As a professional, I never leave a job site with exposed wires. If you own your home, the best solution is an in-wall power kit. This allows you to run power and HDMI cables behind the drywall for a seamless look. It removes the visual clutter that ruins the relaxing vibe of a bedroom.

If you are renting or cannot cut into the drywall, use paintable cord covers (raceways). Run the cover vertically from the bottom of the TV straight down to the baseboard or behind the dresser. Paint it the exact same color as your wall. It essentially disappears and protects your cables from chewing damage.

What I’d do in a real project:
I always specify a recessed outlet box behind the TV. This allows the plug to sit flush inside the wall, meaning the TV bracket can retract fully without hitting the bulky plug head. This keeps the profile slim and sleek.

7. Styling Around the “Black Box”

The final fix is aesthetic. A large black rectangle is rarely the focal point we want in a restful bedroom design. We need to integrate it so it doesn’t feel cold or commercial.

Avoid creating a “shrine” to the TV. Do not flank it with sconces immediately to the left and right, as the light source will cause eye fatigue and glare while watching. Instead, position ambient lighting in the corners of the room.

Consider a gallery wall layout where the TV is just one element of the composition, rather than the solo star. However, keep the art around it minimal and low-contrast. Busy artwork right next to a moving screen can be overstimulating for the brain when you are trying to wind down.

Bias lighting is a game-changer for bedroom TVs. This is a soft LED strip applied to the back of the TV that casts a gentle glow against the wall. It increases the perceived contrast of the screen and reduces eye strain in a dark room. It also looks incredibly high-end.

Finish & Styling Checklist

Before you drill any holes, run through this final checklist to ensure your bedroom setup is safe, functional, and beautiful.

Functionality Check

• Power Access: Is there an outlet directly below or behind the proposed spot?
• Stud Finding: Have you located the studs? Never mount a TV into drywall using only anchors, especially if the arm extends. It will rip out.
• Glare Check: Lay in bed during the day. Does the window reflect exactly where the screen will go? You may need blackout curtains or a different wall.

Pet-Friendly Safety

• Chew Protection: Are all cords inside a rigid raceway or behind the wall?
• Clearance: Is the TV high enough that a dog’s waging tail won’t smack the screen?
• Stability: If using a dresser stand instead of a wall mount, is the TV strapped to the furniture or wall to prevent tipping?

Aesthetics & Comfort

• Bias Lighting: Install a 6500K white LED strip behind the TV for better contrast.
• Concealment: If you hate the look of the TV, consider the Samsung Frame TV or hide it inside a cabinet with pocket doors.
• Bedding Height: Did you account for your winter duvet? Ensure the screen clears your loftiest bedding.

FAQs

Can I mount my TV above a bedroom fireplace?
You can, but it is almost always too high for ergonomic comfort. If you must do this, use a “MantelMount” or similar pull-down bracket that allows you to lower the TV to eye level when you are watching, and push it back up when not in use.

Is a curved TV better for a bedroom?
Generally, no. Curved TVs are designed for a single “sweet spot” viewer sitting directly in the center. In a bedroom, especially if you have a partner, one person will be viewing from an off-angle, which distorts the image on a curved screen. A flat screen is better for couples.

How do I hide the cable box?
Modern cable boxes often use RF (radio frequency) or Bluetooth remotes, meaning they don’t need line-of-sight. You can hide the box in a drawer or closet. Alternatively, velcro the box to the back of the TV if there is enough clearance.

What if my bed is adjustable?
If you have an adjustable base (like a Sleep Number or Tempur-Pedic), you need to measure your eye level when the bed is in your preferred “TV mode,” not when it is flat. This usually means mounting the TV slightly higher than you would for a standard flat mattress.

Conclusion

Mounting a TV in the bedroom is a balancing act between the physiology of sleep, the ergonomics of reclining, and the aesthetics of interior design. It is not as simple as centering a bracket on the wall. By taking the time to measure your specific eye level and accounting for your mattress height, you can eliminate the neck pain that plagues so many late-night binge-watchers.

Remember that the bedroom is primarily for rest. While a TV is a luxury, it should not dominate the room. Use cable management to reduce visual noise and select a size that feels appropriate for the scale of the space. Whether you are a renter needing a temporary fix or a homeowner creating a custom suite, these adjustments will make your space feel intentional and professionally designed.

Prioritize your comfort. Your neck will thank you, and your bedroom will look cleaner, safer, and more inviting.

Picture Gallery