Do I have a doozy for you today. It’s the ultimate guide to decorating around the TV.
I’ve been asked about this a few times now, and after spending an inordinate number of hours scouring Pinterest in search of the most perfect living rooms containing a television set… I feel I’m finally ready to tackle the challenge.
Our TV’s are only getting bigger, and so too is the problem of how to decorate around them, disguise them, or in short: make them appear a little less like a black hole in the corner of your living room.
We like staring at them a whole lot when they’re turned on. But when they’re off… not so much. #ugleeeeee
It’s no wonder lots of people struggle with decorating around the TV. But with a few tricks up our sleeve, we’re going to take this sucker ON. Whether you have a big budget or virtually no cash to spend; whether you’re able to make structural changes or just need a quick style fix; I’ve got a solution for you in today’s post.
Here are 40 inspiring ideas for decorating around the TV in style.
IDEA 1: Surround the TV with built-ins
This option makes the TV look intentionally placed… almost like a part of the furniture. Instead of sticking out like a sore thumb, the big screen takes a back seat to all that gorgeous, show-stopping cabinetry. Plus, open shelving gives you the chance to show off your decorating flair.
Added bonus: by incorporating cupboards underneath the shelves, you’ll gain heaps of hidden storage to tuck DVDs and gaming paraphernalia out of sight!
Samantha Gluck via EHD
Here’s another clever idea from Kate Marker Interiors – recessing the TV and adding moulding around it so it looks even more built-in, like a picture frame.
IDEA 2: Use floating shelves beside or above the TV
Perhaps built-ins are outside your budget; or maybe your tastes run more minimal and contemporary.
In this case, a simple set of floating shelves can achieve a similar goal, by taking the focus off that big black screen and filling up the empty white wall space that surrounds it.
IDEA 3: Make a fireplace the main focal point
If you don’t want the TV to be the focal point of the room, you will need to make something else the focal point. A fireplace is the perfect solution. By using a feature material on the mantle, you’ll make a big, bold statement that will totally steal the limelight.
Plus, there’s nothing like gathering around a cosy fire in the living area with family or friends. It’s just so inviting and conversational.
The West / Photo Credit: Dion Photography
TV? What TV? Ha! Okay, you might need to win the lottery and build an architecturally designed house to pull off that last one. But how beautiful, right?! Moving right along…
IDEA 4: Conceal the TV with sliding doors or moveable art
There are a few magic tricks you can use to hide that ugly black screen out of sight altogether.
Sliding panels, cupboard doors that open, picture frames that slide aside… check out these sleight-of-hand solutions where illusion beats reality.
Can you spot the TV? Nope? That’s because it’s hiding behind those gorgeous panels. Out of sight, out of mind!
In this example, the feature mirror above the fireplace hinges open to reveal the TV.
And here are some simple off-the-shelf concealment solutions. A mounted bracket displays frames that can be pushed aside…
And a wall-hung cabinet is custom-designed to conceal the TV, with accordion doors that fold open.
IDEA 5: Use a dark colour behind the TV so it visually “disappears”
This is one simple decorator’s trick that I flat-out love. A big TV screen can be exactly like a black hole in a room. But when you use a dark paint colour or panelling behind it, it virtually disappears. Ta-da!
IDEA 6: Wrap an eclectic gallery wall around the TV
This is a hugely popular option because it doesn’t require any permanent or expensive structural changes to the room. Just hang some artwork – totally doable by anyone, anywhere! Not to mention, creating an eclectic gallery wall is a fabulous way to showcase your personal style. No two gallery walls will ever look alike.
A couple of tips for creating a banging gallery wall. First, use different sizes of art and different frames; and pay attention to the negative space between your artworks. Too spread out and they won’t look cohesive – like they belong together. You want them to fit together almost like a jigsaw.
Next, see how in these examples, the artworks overlap BEHIND the TV? This is a really clever way to make the TV feel anchored in the arrangement, instead of sticking out like an awkward adolescent at a school dance.
IDEA 7: Create a grid gallery around the TV
Eclectic not your style? You can also achieve a more classical look with a formal grid gallery that wraps around your TV.
Because this style employs symmetry and structure, the opposite advice holds true – this time, make sure you use matching frames, and place the artworks with precision, so everything lines up exactly.
Erika Powell via Decorpad
IDEA 8: Use a TV that looks like a piece of art
Can you spot the TV in these examples? No?
Hint: it’s that rectangular thing on the wall that looks exactly like a painting.
It’s Samsung’s “The Frame” TV, which is designed to mount perfectly flat on the wall and display art on the screen whenever it’s switched off. No more black hole in the room? Yes please. I want one!!
IDEA 9: Disguise the TV as a mirror
A beautifully framed mirror looks attractive with any décor. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to disguise your ugly TV as a sexy mirror?
Wait…. there is! It’s called Dielectric mineral glass, and it’s a special two-way glass that looks like a mirror when the TV is switched off, but is completely transparent when the TV is switched on.
Some companies supply a “mirror TV” as a ready-made all in one solution, while others will come and install the special two-way glass over your existing TV and add a frame to complete the illusion! Only certain TVs may be suitable for this technique though, so check with the company for what they recommend.
IDEA 10: Balance the TV with a tall object (eg a lamp or tree)
Let’s get back to some simple quick-fixes, shall we? Here’s an easy way to use what you have to create some balance.
A TV on an entertainment unit creates a triangular composition that can be awkward to decorate around. A tall object like a floor lamp or a tree in a pot goes a long way toward creating a sense of balance. So go ahead… bring in something tall, and create some height to overshadow that TV!
Note that these arrangements are all deliberately asymmetrical, with something tall on one side and shorter on the other. A collection of vases always makes a great filler on the end of a TV unit.
IDEA 11: Decorate around the TV with plants
Nothing softens the technology behemoth that is the modern TV like a little bit of nature.
Plants are your friend, people. Plants in pots, plants in baskets, hanging plants or even just a swathe of greenery in a vase … they all serve the dual purpose of filling some of that awkward blank space around and beside the TV, while also bringing the outdoors in.
Guaranteed to make you feel less like a slave of the 21st century and more like a boho hipster chilling in your own personal indoor garden.
Arielle Vey via Design Sponge
So there you have it… heaps of ideas for all styles and budgets on how to decorate around (or hide!) the TV. I hope you found this resource helpful!
Until next time, wishing you a house full of sunshine!
