If you ask a decorator where to hang your tv, they will probably say nowhere. A tv is like an indoor ceiling fan — an ugly necessity. Now I’m sure there are many among you who a) do not watch tv and can therefore ignore this problem and b) do not live in Texas and can therefore laugh at us poor suckers who would surely melt into flesh puddles without our fans. You guys pat yourselves on the collective back and go find something else to do. Maybe paint something?
I’m not even going to touch the fan problem, for which there is no elegant solution. But I am going to post a few ideas that may help you tackle the tv conundrum. Buckle up, friends — this may be the longest post you read all day. Perhaps even all year. But this is an important topic, right? Ok, maybe not peace on earth important.
Gilles Mendel
First of all, the old rules say, “No tv over the fireplace.” Speaking as someone who had a tv over the fireplace for a year or two, I think I can tell you why: it’s too high. Optimum viewing height is at seated eye level. However, these days you can buy a swivel mount to tilt that puppy down for easier viewing.
Vicente Wolf
And then there is the actual fire issue. We didn’t light up the fireplace the entire time the tv was mounted on it for fear of melting all that high dollar plastic into nickels and dimes. However — in the interest of full disclosure — we haven’t used our fireplace since we moved it, either. Have I mentioned it’s hot in Texas?
House Beautiful
See, this tv is way too high, but it does look nicely integrated into the design, what with the restrained palette and gallery wall. It is obviously the focal point of the room, but it shares and plays well with others.
How about that snakeskin surround? I have a feeling this fireplace is never used, so heat is a non issue. Also, every tv looks smarter when playing Fellini.
I think the bottom line regarding tvs over the fireplace is that it can be done, and well. But it’s not as easy as just plunking your tv onto the mantel. The fireplace is often the heart of the room, so room design has to accommodate the tv’s design, also. And most importantly, don’t arrange all of your furniture to face the tv unless you want your living space to look like a stadium.
House to Home
How about just next to the fireplace? I know a number of people have chosen this option and generally the lack of symmetry bugs me — but then I love symmetry.
Steven Volpe
But this is perfection. Boom. This room is so well balanced (asymmetrically). I appreciate that not every single piece of seating is turned to the tv, and the tension pole is such a simple, elegant solution that keeps the tv off the wall, thereby enhancing its 3D object quality. It’s so much better than this:
Ralph Lauren’s apartment
This looks like a high school AV cart. It’s so very wrong.
Lonny
Built in solutions can be very attractive, from traditional and sophisticated to ultra mod.
OWI
Instead of hiding the tv away in an armoire (which I say should be avoided, because you aren’t fooling anybody with that giant, hulking piece of furniture), a built in solution makes the tv an integral part of the room. The problem I see with this is that it’s an expensive custom solution. Also, what if you decide to get a bigger tv? At least the Lonny image above leaves space for that possibility.
Lonny
For us regular folk who can’t afford built ins and choose to flat mount our tvs to the wall, the gallery wall can be an interesting possibility. I like that the paint color blends in with the black border of the tv, diminishing its visual footprint.
Brick House Tumblr
White walls + white tv + white art = a barely visible tv.
Sidenote: most tvs are black because black borders enhance the perception of contrast. Obviously they can be purchased in other finishes to blend into surroundings as in the above image, but you can expect to pay a premium for a fancy finish.
I suppose the most popular choice for a tv is over a credenza, which hides the cables and cords of modernity. Alex approves.
Laura Day
And of course it helps if you can position your tv over the most glorious credenza known to humankind, and then pause the tv to a color which matches your art perfectly. Again, I think the fact that not every piece of seating is turned toward the tv helps it to recede immensely.
Magnus Marding
But you can take that last piece of advice to the extreme.
For pretty much ever tvs have been the scourge of decorating. They have a restricted shape and palette, and formally speaking they often clash with furnishings. While I agree that it’s best to avoid making tv the absolute focal point of a living space, that doesn’t mean we have to hide our loves away. Unless you are a Mennonite or like to watch stupid reality tv on your iphone, you probably have a tv and it’s got to go somewhere.
Marie Claire
Best learn to live with it gracefully.
Related posts:
Great ideas, and lovely inspiration. I love the idea of mixing the flat screen with other framed pictures in a gallery wall,especially in the black room.
You must be reading my mind. I’m ready to do something with the wall around my TV but needed inspiration. This post is the perfect start, thanks.
I am considering writing to Ralph Lauren, as that hulking TV stand looks like ass, and that is a person who has the money to improve the situation. (As well as mine, perhaps he is looking for projects? I’ll inquire.)
The other thing I’ve learned from your collection of photos is that if the TV’s on all the time, be sure to start up something from the Criterion Collection, as it makes the whole room look better!
Oh yea, this is always a struggle. I’m a fan of an art wall around it. Particularly if the wall is black, or the TV is white. Or just a pretty credenza with a few choice items placed beside it.
Mine’s in a little alcove and I hung this batik tapestry behind it. I’m hoping it distracts a bit from the television, but I’m still not sold…
Oh and I agree with you about furniture placement. But at the end of the day, I want my sofa to face my TV. How else can I get the best straight on view of The Bachelor?
Nay, I forgot to say that I love to watch tv (Top Chef is my reality crap of choice) laying down, so positioning the couches with the ends pointed at the tv works for me. It’s like watching tv in bed.
Rebecca, good call!
i’ve been stalking your blog forever. If i weren’t into guys, i’d probably want you to marry me. As it is, I just think you’re super cool. Anyhow, I remember you posting something about this tiger rug. Can’t remember if you wanted it or if you already have it, but there’s one for sale right now:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/8908587
Oh yeah, i just bought a home in a neighborhood that’s “in transition” in baltimore. It’s a 6000 sq ft victorian. I wont ever be able to buy anything like this again in my lifetime. Super deal. Can’t wait to put pics up and get input in how to dress up this bad boy.
Thank you!!! I hate that this topic is never covered in any of the shelter magazines. The tv is always artfully shot around and rarely included in any of the glossy after pictures. sigh…I have no idea what to do with our rather large tv in our very small house.
Hippobrains, um, excuse me — you just bought a 6000 (SIX THOUSAND) sq ft Victorian?????????????????????????? Need. Pictures. Now. (oh, and thanks for the nice comments
Heather, send us some pics! We love to play decorate party.
http://www.cafepress.com/+shirt,158812204
Thanks a million!! I really enjoyed reading this post, very interesting and creative ideas.
Again great post girl.
Cheers! =(^.^)=
I love this post. I get really sick of interiors that hide the tv. It’s like that phone-in-a-box trend from the mid-70s. Really silly to hide the thing we all use daily. Unfortunately, we have a hulking monster of a tv that is worthy of hiding. We said years ago we’d get a flat screen when it died. It’s still working beautifully.
The key to all those placements were no visible cords ever. I wish I had an electrician on salary!
i agree with the poster who said there is no need to hide the TV any longer- we all have one, we all use it, and they are hardly the eyesores they once were, but they don’t need to be focal points either. i’m currently in the process of doing the gallery wall tv camouflage trick as we speak in one home, and for another home, i’ve proposed cladding the wall that holds the 60″ TV in black mirror, so it all just kind of blends together. i’ll let you know how they turn out (who knows if the mirror wall will happen- it’s not exactly a cheap solution!)
The perfect post! Bookmarking this for future tv placement reference! Great round up and critique!
I love your blog, it’s great!
This post is very helpful too, weren’t it for the fact that by bf own a huge tv that cannot be hidden anywhere!
I love the a-symetrical tv table next to the fireplace best, It blends in with the rest of the room so easily.
I can’t stop giggling at the Magnus Marding picture for some reason… it looks like the TV is a pest trying to get your attention from over your shoulder… my favourite is the Laura Day, seriously, how could you go wrong with that credenza giving such focal weight…
Okay, Erin, totally wish I had seen this before I did my black mantel post. You’re right, I simply can’t paint that wall black even though I actually thought the exact same thing (liked it the best and it would make the TV recede). Damn TV! I did some creative styling yesterday and will post again soon about my attempts (obviously I haven’t painted anything yet). Please check back soon with any suggestions. You know I love your comments!
Look there for more:…
[...]Nice blog here! Also your website a lot up fast! http://replicasderelogios.com [...]…
I enjoyed reading your post, I love your sense of humor! I have a love-hate relationship with the TV. I grew up with a TV in my bedroom but over a year ago I kicked the TV out of the bedroom to avoid distractions. Now it IS definitely the focal point in the living room, but how can we avoid the stadium layout?? Then how can everyone comfortably watch a movie? LOL What a dilemma.
As much as I would love to part ways with that brain cells killers, I just love being a couch potato and watch three movies in a row.
PS: I especially enjoyed your “taking advice to another level” photos!