Where Should Your Living Room TV Go? Designers Weigh In on the Best Spots
It's time we settle an age-old debate: Where should your living room television *actually* go? There's no hard-and-fast rule, but designers have opinions on the best way to keep your family entertaining space functional and stylish. And sometimes, those opinions isn't always based on aesthetics! "I don't always want to fight the 'TV over the fireplace' battle," admits designer Annie Downing. So, where should it go? Below, I dive into designers' best stylish solutions. Related StoriesGo Over the MantelSometimes, the path of least resistance is ultimately the correct one, and all of the designers I spoke to had no real issue with putting a television over the fireplace or mantel. "As long as the design is intentional and well-executed regarding the placement, I think we live in a time where we have to embrace the technology," says designer Amanda Lantz. Just be sure that the technology you're embracing is primed for a little designer upgrade. "The TV doesn't have to be a giant black box," says Annie, who recommends homeowners opt for sleeker options, such as Samsung's Frame TV, which can be easily integrated. "It’s not about hiding it completely," she says, "it’s about treating it like a design element instead of an afterthought." To give the TV a more intentional feel, Annie recommends pairing a frame television with custom or pre-fabricated trim packages. A simple tile surround also works if you want a more integrated look. Hide It—But Do It CleverlyIf mounting a television over your fireplace is an absolute no-go for you, either because you hate the way it looks or because the angle or height of the television makes viewing uncomfortable, there are still plenty of places to put or hide it. Tuck Into An Adjacent Book CaseEarlier this year, I visited a home where the fireplace was flanked on either side by built-in shelving that spanned the length of the wall. Instead of placing the television over themantel, the owners tucked it neatly into the right side of the bookcase, surrounding it with books and other collected objet. This approach, which works well in living rooms with vaulted ceilings, easily fosters a cozy, gather-round atmosphere. Pair It With Greenery Stacy Zarin GoldbergThis cabin makes expert use of freshly foraged greens. Try camouflaging your television—literally. Fresh, seasonal greens go a long way in adding visual intrigue and casual, lived-in charm. Choose fluffy, loose flowers or greenery to balance the structured, technical feel of the television. Cover It With ArtIn designer Christina Salway's Brooklyn home, the television is hidden by a large painting hung on cleats. "When we watch TV, we take the painting down, and when we’re finished, we put it back up," she says. "This is probably unimaginable to most people, but I hated the prospect of having a television so visibly positioned in our living room." It's best to avoid art with high sentimental value or that is irreplaceable if you go this route. Instead, opt for inexpensive vintage art or a print that you don't mind handling regularly. Related StoryHide It With MillworkMy personal favorite way to hide a television in a living room involves a clever bit of carpentry. I first came across this idea while admiring@MyMulberryHouse on Instagram. In her post, homeowner Leah Lane walks her followers through the process of building a concertina TV screen fabricated with piano hinges—which are key to its seamless, lie-flat appearance. The screen is cleverly disguised as a set of antique botanical prints. If you're willing to put a little extra elbow grease and manpower behind hiding your television, this is a stunning, design-editor-approved method.Related StoriesAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
#where #should #your #living #room
Where Should Your Living Room TV Go? Designers Weigh In on the Best Spots
It's time we settle an age-old debate: Where should your living room television *actually* go? There's no hard-and-fast rule, but designers have opinions on the best way to keep your family entertaining space functional and stylish. And sometimes, those opinions isn't always based on aesthetics! "I don't always want to fight the 'TV over the fireplace' battle," admits designer Annie Downing. So, where should it go? Below, I dive into designers' best stylish solutions. Related StoriesGo Over the MantelSometimes, the path of least resistance is ultimately the correct one, and all of the designers I spoke to had no real issue with putting a television over the fireplace or mantel. "As long as the design is intentional and well-executed regarding the placement, I think we live in a time where we have to embrace the technology," says designer Amanda Lantz. Just be sure that the technology you're embracing is primed for a little designer upgrade. "The TV doesn't have to be a giant black box," says Annie, who recommends homeowners opt for sleeker options, such as Samsung's Frame TV, which can be easily integrated. "It’s not about hiding it completely," she says, "it’s about treating it like a design element instead of an afterthought." To give the TV a more intentional feel, Annie recommends pairing a frame television with custom or pre-fabricated trim packages. A simple tile surround also works if you want a more integrated look. Hide It—But Do It CleverlyIf mounting a television over your fireplace is an absolute no-go for you, either because you hate the way it looks or because the angle or height of the television makes viewing uncomfortable, there are still plenty of places to put or hide it. Tuck Into An Adjacent Book CaseEarlier this year, I visited a home where the fireplace was flanked on either side by built-in shelving that spanned the length of the wall. Instead of placing the television over themantel, the owners tucked it neatly into the right side of the bookcase, surrounding it with books and other collected objet. This approach, which works well in living rooms with vaulted ceilings, easily fosters a cozy, gather-round atmosphere. Pair It With Greenery Stacy Zarin GoldbergThis cabin makes expert use of freshly foraged greens. Try camouflaging your television—literally. Fresh, seasonal greens go a long way in adding visual intrigue and casual, lived-in charm. Choose fluffy, loose flowers or greenery to balance the structured, technical feel of the television. Cover It With ArtIn designer Christina Salway's Brooklyn home, the television is hidden by a large painting hung on cleats. "When we watch TV, we take the painting down, and when we’re finished, we put it back up," she says. "This is probably unimaginable to most people, but I hated the prospect of having a television so visibly positioned in our living room." It's best to avoid art with high sentimental value or that is irreplaceable if you go this route. Instead, opt for inexpensive vintage art or a print that you don't mind handling regularly. Related StoryHide It With MillworkMy personal favorite way to hide a television in a living room involves a clever bit of carpentry. I first came across this idea while admiring@MyMulberryHouse on Instagram. In her post, homeowner Leah Lane walks her followers through the process of building a concertina TV screen fabricated with piano hinges—which are key to its seamless, lie-flat appearance. The screen is cleverly disguised as a set of antique botanical prints. If you're willing to put a little extra elbow grease and manpower behind hiding your television, this is a stunning, design-editor-approved method.Related StoriesAnna LoganSenior Homes & Style EditorAnna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.
#where #should #your #living #room