For most of us, it’s hard to hide technology, so we try to integrate it into our décor as best we can. Let’s face it: in the real world, decorating involves dealing with a television. It’s probably even safe to say that, for many people, the television is a focal point. But finding a place to put the television in your living room and other rooms in the house without compromising your furniture arrangement and décor can be a challenge. Ideally, you should place your television away from high-traffic areas and at an angle where sunlight won’t create glare on your screen. Try experimenting with placement before looking for studs and drilling into the wall. And read on for helpful tips on how to decorate with televisions.
Locate the closest power source to where you want to put your TV. Make sure there’s enough of a power supply to handle any extras like Blu-ray players and sound systems. Also, consider where the windows are and how much glare you’ll get on the screen.
First of all, it’s always best to put the television at eye level. This is best so that when you are seated, you’re not straining your neck or eyes by looking up or down to see the screen. Usually, about 4 feet off the ground is good. Then multiply the diagonal width of the screen by three to determine the best viewing distance. (You can’t always do this, but it’s a good place to start.)
If your TV is your focal point, then place it in the center of the seating area. If you have another focal point such as a mantel or a beautiful window, then think about placing it on the wall adjacent to the focal point so it can still be viewed comfortably.
If you don’t want your television to be a focal point, or you want to be able to conceal it at a moment’s notice, consider putting it in a cabinet or armoire with doors that can close. Make sure there are holes in the back (or drill some yourself) for all of the cords to go through. Also, be sure that the cabinet is easy to open and close if you have kids that will be using it.
Incorporate your television into your décor by placing it on a unit such as a bookcase and surround it with books, objects, and photographs. To integrate it, even more, surround it with a gallery wall of photography or art in black frames.
If you want to have a small television in an area such as the kitchen, purchase one that can be mounted under cupboards and flipped up or down as you need it. These can also work in dens or home offices.
Most decorators will say you should never put your television on or above the mantel. Not only is it too high, but you’re putting a big, black screen smack dab in the middle of the room’s best focal point. That said, it’s a trend right now, and there are a lot of people out there who seem to like it. If you choose to put your TV above the mantel, then get a flatscreen and mount it to the wall rather than having it on a stand directly on the mantel.
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