For many Australians autumn and winter means one thing – footy, whether it is playing it or watching it.

And for the many couch potatoes out there looking for a great football viewing experience, help is at hand.

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Metricon interior designer Hannah Joosse, who believes that watching the game at home with friends and family 
is the next best thing to being among the action at a live game, has a few simple tips to enhance 
the colder months’ ritual.

Ms Joosse says when setting up a footy viewing area, householders should ensure the television and furniture are
 in appropriate positions.

“Arranging furniture in a room with a television can be quite the challenge,’’ she explains.

“It’s important to consider
 the size of your room as well as the placement of your couch in relation to the television. No one wants to be cramming their head to try and see the television.

“Sitting too close to a large screen can distort the picture, just like sitting too far from a small screen. Experts advise sitting back a distance of 2.5 times your television’s size.

“So if your television is 42 inches (106cm), you should watch from approximately 265cm away.
 It’s important to keep this in mind when styling your lounge room.’’

A flatscreen television and comfy couch are crucial.

Ms Joosse believes “a flat panel television and comfortable couch are to the lounge room what a good benchtop and appliances are to a kitchen’’.

The designer says that when couch space is limited householders should consider using large floor cushions as alternative seating.

“They also add a touch of cosiness to the room,’’ Ms Joosse says.

She adds that it’s also important to consider the position of any coffee table in the television viewing/lounge area.

“Its placement is crucial to consider too,’’ Ms Joosse says.

“Keep it close 
enough to the couch that you can easily reach the television remotes, but don’t compromise on leg
room.

“There’s nothing worse than having to shimmy past a coffee table to reach the couch.”

Food and drink are further key elements when it comes to catching the footy on the box.

So when you serve up a feast it’s again vital to think about your layout.

“When creating drink and food spaces, bear in mind where people will stand so that you won’t have them blocking the TV view,’’ Ms Joosse says.