A huge, flat-screen TV can be an amazing source of entertainment, but it can take up so much space that it can’t help but stand out in a room. This might be okay if the room is designed for TV watching, such as a TV or media room. However, if the only spot to mount your TV is located in your living room, you might want to place more of a focus on your décor than on an entertainment device. Here are some helpful ideas.
1. Frame It
If you want to make your TV look more like part of your home than a big, black rectangle hanging from the wall, you can frame it. If you’re the DIY type, you can make your own frame, sand it and paint it. Or there are ready-made options that you can buy to match your decorating theme. The more the frame blends in with the surrounding décor, the less of a focal point your TV will be.
2. Create a Gallery Wall
Another way to minimize your TV’s presence on the wall is to create a gallery wall around it. You can create this type of wall with different sizes and shapes of framed art or photographs. You can also buy different sizes and shapes of framed mirrors and hang them artistically around the TV. Another idea is to use groupings of decorative items that complement each other, with three or four to each group on each side of the TV.
3. Cover it With Art
A unique, but pricier, solution is to order a custom art cover for your TV. These custom art covers are framed canvas paintings that are specially designed to cover your TV when you’re not using it and electronically roll up out of the way when you want to watch something.
4. Add Shelving
Adding shelving around or on the sides of your TV is another option for minimizing it as a focal point. Again, you can make your own shelves if you’re so inclined or you can buy pre-made options. Shelves come in a variety of shapes, sizes and finishes. It all depends on what type of look you’re trying to create. After hanging the shelves, place a few well-chosen pieces on them to detract attention away from the TV.
5. Choose a Stunning Console
You can also create a distraction by purchasing a unique TV console or repurposing an old piece of furniture that will attract people’s attention and make them all but forget that the TV is there. By choosing a unique piece, you can make it the focal point of your room. If you already have a TV console, but you don’t want to get rid of it, consider
6. Use Paint
Paint is another option you can use to help detract from the look of the TV. Paint is probably most useful in tandem with one of the other ideas listed, such as a wall gallery. By choosing a paint color, such as dark gray paired with white shelving and vibrant accessories, the TV will be less of a standout in your room than it would be on a white or light-colored wall. Play around with paint, shelving and accessory color ideas find a color scheme that will work the best with any existing décor you already have.
7. Now You See it, Now You Don’t
Another more expensive option is to have a TV lift or ceiling installation installed in your room. TV lifts are designed to pop up, drop down and slide out. You can purchase and install the lift by itself, or there are pieces of furniture that have lifts installed in them that you can buy. For instance, you could buy a bed footboard that has a pop-up lift for the TV installed. Or you could buy a lift that drops down from the ceiling when you want to watch TV and recedes when you don’t.
8. Behind Closed Doors
Of course, there are tons of TV armoires you can choose from that can serve as a decorative and unique piece for your room but also keep your TV out of sight when you’re not watching it. Television armoires come in a variety of heights, widths and finishes to match any décor.
And they don’t have to be ugly, hulking pieces of furniture that detract from your décor, either. According to Livable, an on-demand pickup and delivery solution for storage in SF and other cities, “Space-saving furniture design has come a long way.” There are plenty of sleek, space-conscious pieces that will fit perfectly into your living area without taking up too much real estate.