A new television can be a centerpiece for movie nights, a background for weekend craft sessions or a way to follow tutorials while your hands are busy. With so many models to compare, it helps to have a plan before you browse the Boxing Day TV sale at The Good Guys. These seven tips will help you choose a screen that suits your room, your budget and your habits, and keep your household safe once it is on the wall or stand.
1. Measure the Room Before You Pick a Size
The right screen size depends on the space, not on the biggest number in the sale. Measure the wall or stand, then think about how far your seat sits from the screen. A larger TV can be wonderful in a spacious living area, but in a small craft room or bedroom it can feel overwhelming. Leave a little breathing space around the frame so the set does not look crammed in.
2. Read the Energy Label
Running costs matter as much as the sticker price. The Australian Government’s Energy Rating site explains that televisions must carry an Energy Rating Label showing a star rating and an estimated annual energy use in kilowatt hours. It adds that stars only compare products of the same size, so a 50-inch five-star TV uses more energy than a 30-inch five-star model, and that on average a new television uses more energy than a fridge. Choosing the smallest screen that meets your needs is the simplest way to keep bills low.
3. Think About Where Light Falls
A beautiful screen can look dull if it faces a sunny window. Consider where light enters the room and whether you watch mostly in the day or at night. If your craft space has lots of natural light, look for a bright panel with good anti glare performance, and consider curtains for evening viewing.
4. Check the Sound
Thin screens often have modest speakers. If you love films or music, budget for a soundbar or check what built-in audio the model offers. Good sound makes dialogue clearer and lets you keep the volume low, which is kind to housemates and neighbors.
5. Plan how it Will Sit
Decide whether the TV will mount on the wall or sit on furniture. Wall mounting frees up space and gives a clean look, but it needs the right bracket and a stud or secure fixing. If you choose a stand, make sure the furniture is sturdy and designed to hold a television.
6. Prioritize Safety at Home
Safety is easy to overlook. ACCC Product Safety’s toppling furniture and televisions guide says toppling furniture has killed at least 28 people in Australia since 2000 and causes nearly 20 injuries every week, with children under five most at risk.
It recommends anchoring furniture to the wall or floor, using the anchor straps that come with most TVs or mounting the set on the wall, and not placing a TV on furniture that was not designed for it, such as a chest of drawers. Treat anchoring as part of the purchase, not an afterthought.
7. Compare Connections and Features
Look at the number of HDMI ports, streaming apps and any extras you will use. If you plug in a gaming console, a laptop and a streaming box, you need enough ports. Skip features you will never touch, because they can add cost without adding value.
Set Up a Craft-Friendly Viewing Corner
If you use your TV while making things, think about the layout. Position the screen so you can see it from your work table without craning your neck, and keep cables tidy, so they do not snag on fabric or paper. A small shelf beside the screen can hold supplies, and a basket underneath keeps work-in-progress projects out of sight.
Do a Final Check Before You Buy
Compare the model number across a few listings, check the warranty and confirm delivery details. Ask whether the price includes wall mounting or old TV removal. If everything lines up, you can buy with confidence and look forward to the first movie night.
Consider Picture Quality for Creative Viewing
If you use your TV to watch painting tutorials, sewing demonstrations or craft videos, picture clarity matters. Look for a sharp panel with accurate color, so fabrics and paints appear true to life on screen.
Matte finishes cut reflections from overhead lights, which is helpful when you are working in a bright room. Spend a few minutes in the store comparing how the same video looks across several models, since the difference is often easy to see side by side.
Think About the Remote and the Menus
A television is only as pleasant as its controls. Try the remote, scroll through the menus and see how quickly the set responds. A simple layout with clear buttons suits households where several people share the screen, and a voice search feature can be handy when your hands are covered in glue or paint. If you often pause and rewind tutorials, check that the apps you use run smoothly on the model.
The Takeaway
The best TV is the one that suits your room, uses energy sensibly and sits safely on its stand or bracket. Take your time, measure carefully and use the sale to get a screen that will make every evening a little more enjoyable.
