One of the most significant design challenges we run into in almost every project is designing a space around the television or screen.
How can you avoid making the TV the focal point of the room, when let’s face it — the primary function in the room is to gather and watch TV?
Over the years, we’ve come up with a few solutions for designing around the televisions and screens, and today we are sharing our favorite solutions from some of our favorite watch spaces.
No. 1: Above a console
As an alternative to the typical media console, selecting a pretty piece of furniture to go under your TV is a great way to section off the area. When choosing a console, we prefer that they are longer than the length of the TV.
From The Sunset House Basement.
We like to hide our media equipment instead of putting it on display and add low-height accessories like stacked books and objects to finish the look.
No. 2: In a built-in
Balance the visual weight of the TV and provide storage for media equipment by centering your TV around a built-in for a custom, streamlined look.
Whether they are on either side of the fireplace, or wall-to-wall, built-ins are a great way to distract from your TV with a great display of accessories! We really love built-ins flanking the fireplace because it still allows you the opportunity to add a mirror or art above the mantle, shifting the focus off of the TV. Built-ins are also great because they provide storage for media equipment.
No. 3: On a dark wall
A dark wall color behind the TV helps blend the TV into your space, making it feel a part of the design.
On the flip side, if you have a projector, going dark on the walls can help create that cozy movie room feeling.
From Episode 3 “Movie Room Remake” of “Dream Home Makeover”
No. 4: Disguised as artwork
We love designing with TV’s that have an art setting, allowing them to blend into the rest of the room effortlessly. In some of our most recent projects and even in The McGee Home, we chose The Samsung Frame TV, and we love how you can rotate the art and change it with the seasons. Plus, it looks good when you’re not watching it!
* This post has been modified from its original version
