Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Legally blind people that live alone, how do you set up your living room? (self.Blind)
submitted by Imdarkj
I’ve currently been having trouble reaching a balance since I’ve been living alone for a few months. I want to set up my living room so I can see the tv but it’s not inconvenient for every guest I have over. I considered asking my vision counselor but it seems like too small of a problem to worry her.
So I wanted to ask how you have it set up? Currently all of my Furniture is too far for me to see so I just bring a desk chair to the side of the tv.
So I wanted to ask how you have it set up? Currently all of my Furniture is too far for me to see so I just bring a desk chair to the side of the tv.
GoBlindOrGoHome 7 points 4y ago
I live alone with my fiance and he's really good about my vision needs. We have a loveseat and a chair that I constantly move towards and away from the tv depending on my needs.
For regular tv watching I sit about 4ft from the tv (47"), and for video games I push the loveseat directly up against the tv stand and look at the screen from about 18 inches away. It's incredibly strenuous and nauseating, but video games are a passion of mine.
My vision councelor recommends a much smaller screen (27") but I don't necessarily think that would work much better.
My best tip would be to have furniture that is easy to move and rearrange as needed. Consider your tv watching area being separate from your sitting area, or create a space that has multiple places to view the television from different distances.
For regular tv watching I sit about 4ft from the tv (47"), and for video games I push the loveseat directly up against the tv stand and look at the screen from about 18 inches away. It's incredibly strenuous and nauseating, but video games are a passion of mine.
My vision councelor recommends a much smaller screen (27") but I don't necessarily think that would work much better.
My best tip would be to have furniture that is easy to move and rearrange as needed. Consider your tv watching area being separate from your sitting area, or create a space that has multiple places to view the television from different distances.
MostlyBlindGamer 1 points 4y ago
As my vision has gotten worse, I switched from posting on console to PC. It's a lot more comfortable to have a large (but not massive) monitor on a desk than to almost have to bend over to read text in games on the TV.
The best thing is you can generally plug tour console into a computer monitor just as well as a TV.
The best thing is you can generally plug tour console into a computer monitor just as well as a TV.
meeowth 4 points 4y ago
Used to have a coffee table in the middle but I developed permanent shin bruises from my inability to properly avoid it. Now the coffee table is against a wall and all I can bump into are soft, harmless couches.
Edit: oh, as far as your question is concerned, I have a floor sofa $1 right in front of the TV that I use but it can be moved easily.
Edit: oh, as far as your question is concerned, I have a floor sofa $1 right in front of the TV that I use but it can be moved easily.
OutWestTexas 3 points 4y ago
I don’t have a tv but I have my livingroom set up so there is a clear path through the livingroom to the other rooms.
FrankenGretchen 3 points 4y ago
If it's not accessible to me, it's not welcome in my house. Hubby's pc is his deal because it's his. Our TV? No. If you live alone, do you. It's your space.
In all honesty, if you aren't comfortable doing you in your own space with no one else to consider, you'll be swept aside when someone else moves in.
In all honesty, if you aren't comfortable doing you in your own space with no one else to consider, you'll be swept aside when someone else moves in.
Imdarkj [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Well the thing is I have my room set up to where I can see perfectly. I just wanted to see if anyone had a good balance of accessibility while still being convenient for guests.
FrankenGretchen 3 points 4y ago
Guests will adjust.
Think of it this way. How many of your friends rearrange their houses for you? Some have but most? No. For the ones who care enough to make their lives accessible to you, coming into your space is not a big deal. Fir the rest? They have the chance to learn a few things but you don't have to rearrange your life for them.
In 48 years, I've been in two houses that thought of my needs. One because they did. The other because there was already accommodations in place for the deaf/blind resident and they worked for me. I have never once thought of adjusting someone else's environment to include myself. Now, if I know a person coming to my crib needs accommodations, I make sure they're comfortable. We have a really accessible house plan for ourselves and any future needs we're sure to develop. I have the training and comfort level to ask and meet those needs. I'm not the average host but I'm not a one off, either.
You may come across someone who genuinely wants to know. There's where your thought will be celebrated. Cherish those people or the ones willing to listen when you bring it up.
Edit... Spelling
Think of it this way. How many of your friends rearrange their houses for you? Some have but most? No. For the ones who care enough to make their lives accessible to you, coming into your space is not a big deal. Fir the rest? They have the chance to learn a few things but you don't have to rearrange your life for them.
In 48 years, I've been in two houses that thought of my needs. One because they did. The other because there was already accommodations in place for the deaf/blind resident and they worked for me. I have never once thought of adjusting someone else's environment to include myself. Now, if I know a person coming to my crib needs accommodations, I make sure they're comfortable. We have a really accessible house plan for ourselves and any future needs we're sure to develop. I have the training and comfort level to ask and meet those needs. I'm not the average host but I'm not a one off, either.
You may come across someone who genuinely wants to know. There's where your thought will be celebrated. Cherish those people or the ones willing to listen when you bring it up.
Edit... Spelling
psychgamer2014 3 points 4y ago
It’s kind of difficult to describe, but my living room is essentially an “open concept” rectangle. I have my furniture in the center of the rectangle in an L configuration. I have a long sofa and what’s basically a loveseat. The long sofa I keep for sighted people to use; it faces the TV directly. The loveseat is pointed towards the fireplace, but it’s positioned in such a way as to put me close enough to the TV to be able to see it by turning my head.
It’s not perfect and I can’t see things like text unless I literally walk up to the TV, but it suffices. Let me know if you have any more questions and I’ll do what I can to help.
It’s not perfect and I can’t see things like text unless I literally walk up to the TV, but it suffices. Let me know if you have any more questions and I’ll do what I can to help.
Imdarkj [OP] 2 points 4y ago
Thank you. I appreciate your kindness.
psychgamer2014 1 points 4y ago
No problem!
[deleted] 2 points 4y ago
[deleted]
Imdarkj [OP] 2 points 4y ago
It’s okay, I appreciate your input. <3
MostlyBlindGamer 2 points 4y ago
I have a couch against the opposite wall from the TV and a nicechair for myself that I can move around. It's an IKEA Poang, very comfortable and light enough to slide around the room.
For watching movies with other people I'll either sit on my chair on move it out of the way and pull up the couch.
I find it's a flexible set up for me and it's also not weird for anybody else.
For watching movies with other people I'll either sit on my chair on move it out of the way and pull up the couch.
I find it's a flexible set up for me and it's also not weird for anybody else.
baistei 2 points 4y ago
I have a bean bag thing that I bring closer to the TV when I'm watching. I've also got a bunch of giant memory foam pillows that I can use to prop up on but also keep on the couch if needed. My TV is on a short TV stand - not up on a wall.
MarinaLeite 2 points 4y ago
Often, watch TV is an issue for us with visual impairement. We want to be together and we do not like to disturb anyone, at the same time how can we watch TV properly?
Nowadays, I live with my husband, but watch TV has been an issue for me since my childhood. I've never watch a TV confortable, because all the time the TV was for others, not for me. Today I have my own monitor, thay I use as a TV. I watch from very close while my husband and my friends watch 'the normal' TV. I am close to them and that is working for us.
​
Soo, Here we use two TVS basically, but we are all together.
​
I hope that helps you, there is no right or wrong, just what feels good for us!
Nowadays, I live with my husband, but watch TV has been an issue for me since my childhood. I've never watch a TV confortable, because all the time the TV was for others, not for me. Today I have my own monitor, thay I use as a TV. I watch from very close while my husband and my friends watch 'the normal' TV. I am close to them and that is working for us.
​
Soo, Here we use two TVS basically, but we are all together.
​
I hope that helps you, there is no right or wrong, just what feels good for us!
ratadeacero 2 points 4y ago
We have a standard set up. The one difference is I have a love sack thats sits in front of the tv. We sitbin this when wstching something. Being that close is the only way my wife can see anything.
[deleted] -1 points 4y ago
[removed]
Imdarkj [OP] 1 points 4y ago
Bro what are you doing? You clearly can type messages perfectly fine from your post history.
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