The Covid-19 pandemic has turned our lives around in a way that we never imagined possible. The unexpected turn of events has led to most of us spending more time in our homes than we normally would.

Called the 'new normal', it doesn't look like it is going to return to 'normal' any time soon. If it is difficult for adults to adapt to the 'new normal', just imagine what it must be for young children who do not know how to voice their frustration. That means many of us, including children, will be spending more time watching the TV than we normally do.

So how about fitting a big or a bigger TV in your house? A big new TV will keep the children occupied at least for some time. It will also make for a more pleasurable viewing of a Netflix movie.

When deciding to buy a big or a bigger TV, you will have to decide on the size of the TV as well as where to locate it. We will get right down to the points to be considered.

1. Size of the TV

The seating arrangement in the room will determine the size of the TV more than how big the room is. Sitting too close to the TV can cause eye strain.

Here is a simple formula for determining the size of the TV depending on the viewing distance.

Size of TV (in diagonal inches) = Viewing distance (in inches) / 2

If the viewing distance is 7 feet, the ideal TV size will be either 40 inches or 43 inches.

2. Safety considerations

Try and locate the TV where its cables are not a tripping hazard and out of reach of children. Never locate the TV in a regular passage where someone may bump into it or where it can be an obstruction.

3. TV should not distract from the room decor

Make sure that the TV is not the most prominent feature in the room. A big TV in the wrong place will take attention away from the artwork, furniture and the plants in the room.

Try and locate the TV on a wall not facing the entrance to the room. Also, make sure that the TV does reflect the glare from the windows.

4. Don't let the TV interrupt interaction

Locate the TV so that those sitting in the room can converse easily. You can achieve that by arranging the seating in an arc in front of the TV.

Place the seating so that those sitting around the TV are not looking at an angle of more than 40 degrees. A bigger angle will result in the images appearing distorted.

5. Consider wall mounting the TV

A wall-mounted TV will increase the viewing distance by more than a foot depending on the size of the TV. Only make sure that the viewing angle to the horizontal is not more than 20 degrees.

A TV whose bottom is at the eye height of a standing adult is a good approximation for the height of a wall-mounted TV.

6. Place the TV away from sight

A TV mounted in an entertainment cabinet is easily kept hidden by a sliding door when you are not viewing it. You can place it on a patterned wall or a well-decorated wall to make it less conspicuous.

If your budget permits, go for a high tech TV whose screen appears like artwork or scenery when switched off. Such TVs are better suited for wall mounting.

7. Place decor around the TV

Place some potted indoor plants and other pieces of decor around the TV. The idea is to take attention away from the TV when it is off.

It will also keep the children away from the TV and prevent them from accidentally hitting the screen.