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A common problem: decorating around the tv

Barbra Boisvert

6 years ago

I've turned a small bdrm into a tv/reading room. What to do beyond a television has me stumped. A small cognac colored sofa/love seat, & end table on either side, faces the TV wall and in between those walls is a window w/floor to ceiling bk cases on ea side. Under the tv I have a short narrow bk case to allow room for corner chair. That contemporary chair is temporary until I find the right one. (Oh to afford R. Lauren's Indian Cove Lodge chair!)

The rm is painted a cool, restfull shade of green and the cornice above the window is a red & black plaid.

I'm considering, for lack of better ideas, putting up an old needlepoint family crest but I don't really care for it. Another thought is graduated size convex mirrors going down the wall to the right of the tv. Or just to group them together but it feels like there should be a little more happening to the right of tv. And what if anything should go to the right?

If only all our problems were this size, right?
Thank you for your ideas.
Barbara Boisvert

Featured Answer

Manon Floreat

6 years ago

last modified: 6 years ago

Some people have been able to successfully incorporate a TV into a gallery. Although, perhaps not your style, here are some examples of the idea.

Perhaps take the vignette behind the loveseat, along with your family crest and arrange them a la gallery style on your TV wall. A large sepia map could be fun for behind your loveseat. That way you can identify all the places you read about in your books at a glance!

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Comments (17)

suezbell
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Nice room. Seems inviting.

Not a fan of that particular floor lamp in that location or for reading. Something taller with a larger shade might be better suited for reading.

https://www.lampsplus.com/sfp/1K790/?cm_mmc=GOO-SH--NA--NA-_-1K790&sourceid=DFGPD1K790&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhO_ajv_v2QIVRLjACh0rZAsREAQYBiABEgJ0d_D_BwE

Like the shelving beneath the tv; however, if you added either casters or legs or built a black wood base to make it taller, it would be a better fit.

Probably would have used the two framed pictures above the sofa hung closer together without the shelf.

Plant needs a plant stand.

Hanging items on the wall around the tv can end up creating a cluttered look. Raising the cabinet beneath the tv several inches, changing out the floor lamp and adding a plant stand for your plant should be enough decorating "around" the tv.
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Oh what a cutie! I agree that you have a good reason to not have a lot of time. I've been reminding of that time in my life the last two years that I've been babysitting our grandson. Who cares about decorating when you have a precious little one to love. And I can understand more about why hubby doesn't like changing things or doing more than "has" to be done. He's more worried about being a good daddy and supporting his family than having a "pretty" updated home. Our home was rather sparse with mostly hand me down or used furniture when our first born was a baby. Heck it wasn't much difference by the time our second baby was born. Not saying it wasn't warm and welcoming. It was, but not everything was perfect. I've learned with age, that it's not so important. Perfection, that is. I went through a period where things had to be just so. Maybe it's more living in a unfinished home with a hubby that works a full time job year round and umpires most of the rest evenings and weekends to keep in shape and it pays nice too. We'll be in good shape for retirement and that's a good thing. I'm glad you like the corner door shelf. It's really easy to do. The hardest part was cutting the door in half. It's heavy so it took three of us to do. But if you used two doors you wouldn't have to worry about that. I bought the door through Craigslist since I was going to distress it, it didn't have to be perfect to start with. Habitat Restores are a good source for used doors too. As for the lighting in the entry I was wondering if you'd be able to use a decorative type track lighting in there. They have some really nice looking ones that the "track" curves and all you need is the one box for the fixture.
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Call your cable company and ask if they have a smaller more attractive box if you have had it for more than a year. Can you post a picture of what you see looking from the sofa directly forward? Could you just put the TV right there in that area, it looks wide and then put a screen behind it. I have added a link. You could put pictures across the top row and maybe just solid color paper or something in the others. Good luck and please post when you decide what functions for you. Here is a link that might be useful: photo screen divider
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linelle -- I do understand where you're coming from, but for how we live etc, it's better to not bring the piano next to the kitchen table. If we were all adults, I think it would be a good choice. But my kids are 5 and 9, and they have little friends etc. It's our only kitchen/dining table and the farthest I could move it away is 2 feet from the piano...the piano juts out more than the buffet; it's a shallow buffet, 17" deep, and the back is finished, but the piano is 24" deep. So in pictures I do think it would look better, but in practice it would put the dining table right in the middle of the doorway into the kitchen, which would probably not be a good choice. As far as conflict over who uses what and when, that's never been a problem. DH may be stubborn in some ways, but he's a considerate person to live with. graywings -- over the fireplace would mean looking up to watch tv. I like your idea of in front of the fireplace, I am going to run that one by DH. As much as we do like the fp, most days where we live you aren't allowed to burn anything anyway. I can't remember the last time we had a real fire, I have candles in there that I light -- creates a nice mood. You're probably right about keeping just one color on the wall. coll_123 -- I like the ladder shelf idea too. When I get closer to being able to re-do the room I'll look for something like that. My DH said that he really wants a product that is meant to hold components though, so that may be a hard sell. Karenseb -- yes the tv would be too high if over the fp -- the mantle is over 5' tall. Really don't want to mess with changing that, especially if we may move in a few years. k9Arlene -- thanks for the vote of confidence :-) I hope I responded to everyone, I've really appreciated all the ideas and thoughts, especially the critical eyes -- it's challenging to think outside the constraints after living here 13 years. Our home is small and modestly sized, it's not in a hot neighborhood where people do awesome (ie expensive) custom things to make the small spaces work (and if they do, it's often at a loss if/when they sell). I have other outstanding home projects to complete, but DH agreed that once they were finished we could look into re-doing the living room -- like paint and the shelving/layout, everything. It might not be until after Christmas, but I'm feeling so blessed to have such a great start from all of you. Melanie
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it's a nice room with 200$, I'd be looking for a light/s on Craigslist/Etsy..a floor one, a table one..you can score something really cool you'll love anywhere and always..and I might be hunting a pillow that will bring all the colors together..not sure your style, but for the sake of showing the colors: https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/tufted-ayla-pillow?category=decorative-pillows&color=011 (has your sofa, plaid, rug and even art inside..)) this one is simpler, but cheaper and maybe more user friendly being made from outdoor fabric. won't be as comfy I guess, but also has some nice color combo inside. I like it less because it's too obviously geometrical, next to your plaid, while I like more mix, but again, just to illustrate https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/kanica-indooroutdoor-pillow?category=decorative-pillows&color=079 that one's quite long..but the colors might work as well https://www.anthropologie.com/shop/marisol-pillow?color=066&quantity=1&type=REGULAR (they have 20% during weekend if you become a member blablah, plus ship free. but obviously there are tons of pillows just about everywhere.) or. I'd hunt a light..put up art ..and slowly worry about rest of the stuff later you can start with a rug too, if yours seems off to you, it's just harder to do for 200$. but possible of course. don't worry about what's over if you like the color. who cares.I like how purple brings out lilac, but then I love both purple and lilac, so..:)
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acm
6 years ago
you need a much longer console under the TV (and lower the latter to seated eye level) — i think that will make the wall feel more grounded. plant and lamp seem like enough to the sides; decorating around a TV risks making the wall feel over crowded.
girl_wonder
6 years ago
Another option to hide it: there are devices that allow you to lower the TV when it's not use. A friend has this and the TV is lowered behind a bookshelf.
gtcircus
6 years ago
I saw an interesting television, the framed TV that displays art work when not watching it.
Patrick Blackmon (8a)
6 years ago
You're right about that relaxing shade of green. Do you remember the name? It's a room I could spend all day in (that's not a good thing!).

You could do the art around the TV thing, but it looks a little distracting. I've never tried it - I like my art way too much to let the TV dictate where I hang it. I like your idea of something vertical on the right, and something mirrored might work.

You might not need even that. I do think a slightly longer (although I don't know how much room you have) credenza and lowering your TV might do more for the room than you think. I like the Chinese Evergreen, the lamp, and chair so a longer piece might not work here. Hmm. Maybe try lowering the TV. I'm flummoxed. This room feels so right.

I do have my own rules about art. Those framed pieces behind the leather love seat are way too high. If it means the shelf has to be relocated then so be it. I don't let much get in the way of my rule - 57" or 58" on center for art. I've made a few exceptions over the years but they've been rare.

I'm including an image.

I like the really small pictures to the left and right of the TV because you really have to get really close to appreciate them or even know what they are.

This is a room that keeps it real and looks good, so do what you feel is right.
decoenthusiaste
6 years ago
I'm in the camp that says the TV should be lower and above a credenza 25% wider than it is. I would also remove the shelf above the sofa and if you still want something on the TV wall, hang those two pieces flanking it and centered 5' above the floor. Then I'd shop for a single piece of art for the loveseat. It should be no wider than 75% of the sofa's width and should hang 5" above it.
User
6 years ago
I like your room. It's pretty and restful and tasteful. As far as your TV wall -- I see nothing wrong with just the TV on the wall. And if that bookcase is there because of the chair I think it's fine. The wall over the sofa looks "odd" to me -- I think I would remove the shelf and lower the art. There's just something "off" about the shelf and art to me. But it looks like a nice room for TV Watching.
Elle
6 years ago
I wouldn’t put a mirror on a tv wall- it’ll be distracting to keep catching reflections of yourself beside the tv.
This may be a bit more of an overhaul than you’re looking for, but I love TVs in the middle of a wall of built-in bookshelves. This would also save you some space widthwise so your reading chair would have more space by the window.
anele_gw
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
I like your taste!

I would: remove the shelf over the sofa, lower the art behind the sofa and add more pieces over time; rearrange as needed.

For the TV area: larger console and a stenciled or wallpapered wall. Could be tone on tone. The pattern will keep it from looking empty and add interest without being too distracting.
User
6 years ago
Truly I'm not awake yet to attempt to add decorating advise but I do want to take a minute to say I really like your room. It's very cozy, warm, and so refreshing to see.
User
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
Pretty room!

I’m one who does like art around the TV. (We recently downsized to a rental, so another reason was not having anywhere else for all of my pictures.)

I centered the art display on the wall as if the TV wasn’t there (it looks off at this angle). We don’t watch a lot of TV, so I enjoy having my art to look at the rest of the time. We don’t find it distracting at all, though, when the TV is on.
auntthelma
6 years ago
I love this room! Cozy and comfy and pretty. I love being surrounded by books.

Some inspiration.

above is my house. Windows on every wall make TV placement a little difficult. As well as art placement. So I just kept hanging things!

Below are a couple stock pictures I liked and saved.
2pups4me
6 years ago
I think your room looks great! Personally, I don’t subscribe to the “rule” that the console beneath needs to be much wider than the TV, especially since you have the lamp and plant to help ground the space.
Rita / Bring Back Sophie 4 Real
6 years ago
Nothing to add to the conversation. I just want to add my name to your decorating fan club though.
JustDoIt
6 years ago
Your room is definitely someplace I could hang out in. Just lovely.
ingrid_vc so. CA zone 9
6 years ago
I'll join the chorus that really likes your nice room. However, to me the console under the TV looks cluttered and distracting. I would simplify it, and in my house it would be solidly filled with books.

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