How to Decorate around your Flat Screen Television

You and your living room are happier because you have just acquired a flat screen television.  Although, you seem to be having a small problem, everything around the television seems not to work. The furniture no longer faces the right direction, the wall art is being blocked, and the armoire you’ve placed the television in is too big.   These are all common decorating dilemmas when you acquire a flat screen television.  Read on to see how you can keep that television and make the rest of your room look beautiful around your new addition to the family.



Plan for space: One of the beautiful advantages to having a flat screen television is the ability to view it from many angles of the room. This same advantage is its disadvantage when it comes to placing furniture in the room.  The challenge is that you can’t have obstacles that are within the line of sight of the television.  Stand back in all angles of the room and assess what furniture is too tall and plan for space around it. Another trick is to stand at the television and look back at the room. You will easily see what is obstructing the view and space.


Highlight the wall: Your television can blend or it can be the focal point.  Most people want it to be the focal point as it costs a lot of money, and you want everyone to see it! For you, painting an accent wall that your television is hung or placed in front of will draw emphasis to this wall.  If you are one that would like the television to blend, consider housing your television in a piece of furniture that can be closed, such as an armoire or entertainment center.


Viewing height: Depending on the height you choose to view your television will dictate how to add artwork or decorative items around it. For those that want it stand mounted on a low console, you will be able to optimize more of the wall behind it for artwork.  While if you decide to mount it on the wall, the television can compete with artwork – which can be distracting. For larger rooms that have a long viewing range, a wall application will work better. While smaller, narrower spaces will benefit from the lower console.


Hanging artwork: If you have high ceilings, artwork placed above the line of television sight viewing is a good idea.  Consider making the artwork simple, and more abstract. Artwork that has physical content will cause television viewers to concentrate on the artwork. For shorter ceilings, but longer walls, consider putting small collections of artwork, paintings, photographs etc… to the side(s) of your television.  Whichever you design preference, try to let the television compliment the space, or be left on its own.  For visual interest for wall mounted televisions add wainscoting or build decorative architectural niches into the wall.


Your flat screen television can be a welcomed addition if you can determine how to decorate around it. Before you buy your television take these tips into consideration.  Remember, the smaller the room, the smaller television that is needed. Often time’s people buy too large of a television for the space, and viewers can get headaches, and the picture will also appear pixilated if the viewing distance isn’t enough. Placing a flat screen television above a fireplace or on an accent wall will give visual interest that may need additional décor. You decide and make your television a welcomed addition to your home. Freshome readers tell us your experience with decorating around your flat screen. Has it been easy or a huge headache? We’d love to hear your comments.

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