Design Dilemma: Where to Put the Flat-Screen TV?
TV Placement: How to Get the Focus Off Your Technology and Back On Design
Houzz reader recently wrote in with this design dilemma: "I have a small flat-screen TV in my living room, but have no idea how to display it in a tasteful way. I don't want to make the TV a centerpiece of the room, I'm not into cabinets much and I don't like TVs hung on a wall. Any ideas?" Rather than say "Get an iPad instead," I dug up some awesome ideas from Houzz members, almost all involving custom carpentry to take the focus off the technology and back on to the decor.
My first recommendation for flat panel installation? Recess those puppies into your walls. This requires hiring a carpenter and ain't exactly cheap. But it totally saves a space from becoming "that TV room." What does this entail? Drywall needs to be cut, 2x4s are installed for framing — like creating a soffit. Electricity has to be pulled up into a new outlet installed just behind where the TV will sit. After that's done, drywall work needs to happen.
If you decide to go with the recessed look above a mantle, keep in mind you must allow the proper depth to allow for tilting the TV downward so it's geared toward the proper eye level. Watching "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" with major glare in Camille or Lisa's face totally kills the effect.
ps: I cannot remember life before that show. I love every single one of them and wish the series were live 24/7.
ps: I cannot remember life before that show. I love every single one of them and wish the series were live 24/7.
If your objective is for the TV not to become the centerpiece of the room, install it low on a wall directly at eye level. This allows for the actual wall to remain the star, especially if the wall is covered with an interesting material or texture.
Then there's sneaky, functional, task-oriented placement. I'm a huge fan of small-to-medium size flat panels worked into kitchens. Keeping them off the countertop is key; either mount them to the bottom of your cabinets or have a custom space cut out for them within upper cabinetry.
You can stay entertained while prepping food, then relax with company to enjoy your meal. Guess who watches TV with pretty much every meal he enjoys? Me.
You can stay entertained while prepping food, then relax with company to enjoy your meal. Guess who watches TV with pretty much every meal he enjoys? Me.
While armoires and media cabinets can actually contribute to media taking over your space, fitting your flat panel into an architectural element is a great way to minimize the techno-presence. It works well here recessed into a column; it's just as effective on a partition wall.
Something else that's becoming more and more popular is the sliding flat panel cover. When the TV is off, the sliding doors come together to totally conceal it. Take this one step further by adding art or patterned wallpaper to the front.
You can also take the attention off your flat panel by placing it on a wall with dark paint or stain. By keeping the tone of the wall in check with that of the TV, it's less obvious.
See the original question. Browse more TV walls.
What's your design dilemma? Tell us on the Questions page!
See the original question. Browse more TV walls.
What's your design dilemma? Tell us on the Questions page!