If my two boys had their way, there would be a giant TV in every room of the house, each set up to play Fortnite 24/7. I exaggerate, of course. They would probably want at least one of the screens to stream YouTube videos (the dumber, the better) and another one programmed to a sports channel. While I’ve given them free reign to decorate their bedrooms as they please, having a supersized television front and center in our home is not something I’m willing to compromise about. Ours, a reasonably sized flat-screen, lives discreetly in our den.
If you don’t have a separate room for your television, there are other ways to camouflage the black hole of attention spans. Here are some useful methods to minimize the presence and look of TVs.
1. Place it off-center.
I know there are lots of homeowners who like to install the TV above the fireplace. I’m not a fan of this placement: First, you’re making the TV the focal point of the room and, second, it’s not optimal to have to crane your neck to watch a show. Instead, consider going off-center and low.
2. Surround it with visual interest.
Place the TV right in the midst of a collection to distract the eye with objects more interesting than a black screen—e.g., books, souvenirs, personal photographs.
3. Insert it into a niche.
Remodeling? Consider having a niche built into the wall to hold your TV for a streamlined, no-profile look.
4. Camouflage it.
Go dark with the wall—and your TV will simply recede into the background. Below, moody brass cabinets echo the dark reflective quality of a television screen.
5. Cover it up in a wall of cabinets.
The old-school way to display your TV: built-in media cabinet and shelves. The more modern method: Built-ins for your flat-screen that look more like a wall than a piece of furniture.
6. Hide it in a cabinet or armoire.
Here’s a way to hide your TV that’s more affordable than custom built-in cabinets: a stand-alone cabinet or armoire. Plus, if you move, you can take it with you.
7. Install a gallery wall around it.
Integrate your flat-screen into a gallery wall. With its rectangular shape, it will look right at home next to a grouping of framed art.
8. Use a projector.
Minimize the TV … to no TV! Replace it with a projector—and problem solved. No unsightly television in view.
For similar stories, see:
Have a Question or Comment About This Post?