Decorate around the Flat screen TV becomes simpler when sleek, streamlined design is taken into account within the project. Whether mounted on a wall, positioned inside a media center, or placed on a table console, these versatile display options offer a wide range of decorative opportunities. A wall-mounted TV looks lost when it sits alone on a large, empty wall. Give it some company and make it part of the group.
Treat it like art when decorating around your TV
Treat a wall-mounted TV like a framed piece of art. Because the TV is large and dark, it will act as an anchor in a grouping of framed art pieces.
Consider staggering another large, vertically oriented framed picture near the TV so that both pieces anchor the grouping. Arrange the other framed pieces vertically and horizontally around the TV, maintaining an equal, balanced look on all sides.
It’s a good idea to practice arranging your pictures on the floor first. Cut out a newspaper clipping of your TV and arrange the frames around it until you’re happy with the design. Take a picture of it with your phone so you can remember which pictures go where when you hang them on the wall. Make the grouping as large as you like, turning your TV wall into an art gallery wall.
Frame this
For something a little quirky and unusual, you can mount a large picture frame around your TV. Keep the look sophisticated by using a white or black frame, or add some sparkle to your wall with a metallic gold, silver, or bronze frame. If you can't find a ready-made frame large enough, you can easily build one from wall moldings or window frames. Choose from: colors bold accent in the room and paint the frame to match.
Wrap it up
Surround a wall-mounted flat-screen TV with built-in shelves and cabinets for a custom look. This classic design is often used to accent the fireplace as a focal point and also works with a wall-mounted TV.
Draw attention away from the empty black box of an unused TV by filling the surrounding shelves with artistic sculptures, figurines, pottery, vases, framed photos, books, and greenery. If your style is more modern, extra-long floating shelves installed above and below the TV give it an edgy look.
Unify or enhance with color
Painting the wall a dark color will help your TV blend into the room. Dark or textured wall panels behind your TV can help unify it with nearby shelves, cabinets, or furniture. If you’d rather emphasize your expensive flat-screen as a focal point, paint the wall a bright color for a sharp contrast to the black set.
Hide Additional Electronics
Cable boxes, DVD players, and home theater equipment can be safely hidden in lower built-in cabinets or console tables with cabinets positioned underneath or on nearby wall-mounted TVs. Simple devices like an IR blaster can help you operate your components when they're behind closed doors.
Electrical components can also be stored in a nearby cabinet, stacked on a wire rack with casters to promote airflow. Wires and cables must be run through holes in walls and sometimes attics, ceiling crawl spaces, or basements to reach from the TV to the cabinet. You'll also need an infrared sensor and repeater to help capture the signals from your remotes and send them to the components in the cabinet.
Standing TVs
Don’t let a flat-screen TV placed on a console table feel like an afterthought. Give the set a sense of deliberate design by incorporating it into the surrounding decor.
Build a gallery around it
Hang one or two rows of evenly spaced pictures on the wall behind the TV, creating a grid effect. Black and white pictures in black frames or large white mattes in silver or chrome frames look great with the TV. Try a different repeating pattern on the wall behind the TV for visual interest, such as:
- A collection of color-coordinated plates
- A collection of round or oval clocks or mirrors
- A grouping of round or oval fabric wall panels
If you prefer the casual look of asymmetry, hang a variety of wall art on the wall behind the TV, using frames of different shapes, sizes, and orientations. Incorporate a shelf, a large wooden letter, or metal wall art to add dimension and texture.
Add complementary parts
Place a flat-screen TV on a console table with two table lamps, candlesticks, gingerbread jars or figurines on either side for a formally symmetrical look. Another option for balancing decorative objects on either side of a focal point (the TV) is to use a large object like a lamp on one side and a grouping of objects on the other side, such as three vases at varying heights.
Complete the project
A modern console table pairs beautifully with a flat-screen TV. Revamp the glossy surface of a black TV frame with a metal and glass table or a wood table with a glossy lacquer finish. Install a series of floating shelves on the wall behind the TV, allowing the shelves to frame it above and on either side. Display elegant art glass, metal sculptures or ceramic art, but keep accessories to just a few select pieces to enhance an ultra-modern, minimalist feel.
Go for an eclectic vibe
Don’t worry if your style is more traditional, play up an eclectic look by placing a flat-screen TV on a traditional or antique-style table with carved or fluted legs. Paint the table a bold color for a more modern feel, and use black hardware to connect it to the TV. Complete the look with painted shelves with carved wooden brackets installed above the TV.
TV Sizes and Viewing Distances
To get the most out of a flat-screen TV’s high-definition technology, it’s important to get the right size for the distance you’ll be sitting when watching. So before you buy one, you’ll want to take some measurements between where you plan to mount or place it and where your seating is located. According to audio/video technology website Crutchfield, the best viewing distance for 1080p HDTVs is 1 ½ to 2 ½ times the diagonal measurement of the screen:
Diagonal screen size Best Viewing Distance for 1080p HDTV 40 in. 5 to 8.3 feet 50 in. 6.3 to 10.4 feet. 60 in. 7.5 to 12.5 feet. 80 in. 10 to 16.7 feet.
If you decide to invest in the super-detailed picture of a 4K Ultra HDTV, the ideal viewing range is a little closer, at 1 to 1 ½ times the diagonal measurement of the screen:
Diagonal screen size Best Viewing Distance for 4K Ultra HDTV 40 in. 3.3 to 5 feet 50 in. 4.2 to 6.3 feet. 60 in. 5 to 7.5 feet 80 in. 6.7 to 10 feet.
Smart hiding options
If you'd rather see your TV disappear completely when you're not watching it, there are plenty of clever options for hiding it, too.
Sliding panels
When not in use, a wall-mounted TV can be replaced with an art panel that slides over or down the front of the set. Electrical panels can be set to work with the TV's remote control so that when turned on, the panel slides out. Turn off the TV, and the panel slides back into place.
Mechanical cabinets and consoles
With the push of a button, watch your TV magically rise out of a cabinet or console that has a lifting mechanism inside. When you’re done watching, the TV sinks back into the cabinet. You can find cabinets in both modern and traditional styles, or you can purchase a lifting mechanism separately and repurpose an existing cabinet. Be sure to decorate the wall behind the TV so that you don’t have an empty spot when it’s put away. A mechanical cabinet placed at the foot of the bed can also hold a TV that swivels on its base so that it can be viewed from all areas of the room.
Hinged doors
If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, a wall-mounted flat-screen TV can be hidden behind a pair of hinged doors. This is a great option for a TV mounted over a fireplace, where the extra frame required to remove it won’t look out of place.
Mirrors
A wall mirror helps reflect light and adds dimension to a room. It can also function as a wall-mounted TV, instantly transforming when turned on.
Where the challenge really comes from
When you realize the countless options for decorating around your flat-screen TV, the real challenge is deciding which way to go. Wall-mounted, free-standing or hidden. It’s good to know that either way, your TV won’t detract from the style of your room.
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