In the world of home decor, the television often presents a unique design dilemma. It’s a focal point for entertainment, bringing families together for movie nights and beloved series marathons, yet its imposing black screen can clash with carefully curated aesthetics. For a long time, we found ourselves in a similar “frenemy” situation with our own TV. It was an essential part of our daily unwind routine, allowing us to binge-watch favorites like New Girl and Parks and Rec, but finding a way to seamlessly integrate it into our living space proved to be quite a design challenge. We’re thrilled to report that after our latest home project, we’ve finally reached a harmonious understanding with our large screen, transforming it from a decorative obstacle into a well-integrated element of our home.
Our journey to TV harmony began when our television resided in a rather prominent, and perhaps somewhat domineering, position. For years, our sizable screen was perched atop our faux fireplace mantel, essentially hogging the spotlight and dictating the room’s layout. While it offered a clear view, it also meant sacrificing a prime decorating spot that could otherwise enhance the room’s ambiance. This placement limited our mantel styling options and often made the entire area feel less inviting, dominated by the imposing black rectangle.
The pivotal moment for our living room transformation arrived quite spontaneously one evening. Mid-Netflixathon, my husband Robert turned to me and suggested, “Hey, let’s move the TV to this other wall.” It was a revelation! The idea of relocating the massive screen immediately sparked a cascade of new design possibilities. Moving the television meant not only freeing up the mantel but also opening up an entirely new canvas for creative expression in our living room. The blank wall he pointed to suddenly held immense potential, promising a fresh perspective on how we could blend functionality with personalized decor.
With the decision made, the search for the perfect media console began. We envisioned a piece that would not only house our ginormous 60-inch television but also offer ample storage for DVDs and other media essentials, while seamlessly blending with our home’s evolving style. Our patience paid off when we stumbled upon an ideal candidate on Craigslist: an antique printers cabinet. It was the perfect size and boasted incredible character. We immediately knew this piece, after a little TLC, would become the centerpiece of our new media zone. Transforming it into our custom DIY printers cabinet was a rewarding project, giving it a second life as a stylish and functional media console.
The relocation of our “ginormous” 60-inch television (yes, 60 inches – no prizes for guessing who in our house championed that particular purchase!) instantly transformed the entire feel of our living room. It was an immediate sigh of relief, both aesthetically and ergonomically. For the first time ever, I had the freedom to decorate a TV-free mantel, unburdened by the need to work around a massive screen. This newfound creative liberty was incredibly exciting. My first project for the liberated mantel was a charming $10 mirror I discovered at a thrift store. With a little makeover, it became the perfect focal point, adding elegance and reflecting light beautifully, a stark contrast to the imposing television that once occupied its space.
Mastering the Art of Decorating Around a Large TV
With the television comfortably settled on its new DIY printers cabinet, this spot has become our dedicated TV-watching central. The cabinet itself offers a wealth of practical storage, with its doors and drawers perfectly sized for organizing countless DVDs, gaming consoles, and other media accessories, keeping clutter out of sight. However, the true design challenge began with integrating the sheer size of the 60-inch screen into the room’s aesthetic. A screen of this magnitude can easily overwhelm a wall, making it difficult to create a cohesive and inviting look. Our goal was to make the TV feel like a natural part of the decor, rather than a dominant black void. This meant finding clever ways to visually balance its presence and enhance the surrounding space.
Extending a Sentimental Gallery Wall
One of the most effective strategies for decorating around a large TV is to integrate it into a larger display, such as a gallery wall. This approach allows the television to become just one element within a collection of cherished items, rather than the sole focal point. Our existing gallery wall, which extended from our stairway, was one of my earliest decorating endeavors, and it remains one of my favorite features in our home. It’s a beautiful collection of our best memories, photos, and sentimental pieces, each telling a part of our story. The idea was to extend this personal touch to the wall behind the TV, creating a seamless flow and visually minimizing the screen by surrounding it with art and memories. If you’re looking for guidance on creating your own, you can find my tips for easy gallery wall hanging here.
To further enhance the sentimentality and personal narrative of our new TV wall, I carefully selected pieces that held deep meaning for us. Above the television, I placed a charming sign for Lake Wylie, a nod to my childhood stomping grounds, evoking warm memories of growing up. Beside it, a North Main Street sign pays tribute to Robert’s childhood home, creating a lovely geographic representation of our roots. These pieces, while simple, add a layer of personal history and warmth, diverting attention from the modern screen to something far more intimate and unique to us.
Continuing the theme of personal significance, I proudly hung a framed print of a favorite Bible verse, offering daily inspiration and a touch of our shared faith. Alongside it, framed sheet music of “Better Together” by Jack Johnson – our special song – adds a romantic and personal note, reminding us of joyful moments. These deeply personal elements weave together to create a tapestry of our life and love, making the wall feel incredibly authentic and reflective of who we are. To keep our gallery wall dynamic and up-to-date, I also made sure to include more current photographs of our family. After all, when you go to the effort of getting dressed up for photos once in a blue moon, displaying them is an absolute must, right? They add fresh faces and new memories to the evolving story on our wall.
There’s a small, intriguing space in the upper left corner of the gallery wall that I’m still contemplating. It’s a work in progress, and the beauty of a gallery wall is its flexibility to evolve. Overall, I feel the collection of frames, signs, and personal artifacts does an excellent job of distracting the eye from the giant black box in the center. It creates a visual journey around the screen, diminishing its impact and making it blend more harmoniously with the surrounding decor. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but I believe the effort to integrate it has paid off immensely. The eclectic mix of items ensures that the wall feels lived-in and loved, much more than a simple blank space with a TV in the middle.
With the removal of the old log firebox front from our faux fireplace, the room feels lighter and more adaptable. This change has undoubtedly made it easier to embrace the eclectic look we’ve cultivated around the television. The entire space feels more cohesive, less weighed down by heavy, traditional elements. A significant, yet often overlooked, benefit of our TV’s new location is the enhanced viewing comfort. While it might not be obvious from these photographs, where I was standing right behind one of our sofas to capture the shot, the difference is palpable. It is incredibly satisfying not having to crane our necks to watch a movie on a tall mantel anymore. This simple adjustment has made our Netflix marathons infinitely more enjoyable and comfortable, truly turning our media space into a cozy haven.
Practical Tips for Decorating Around Your TV
Decorating around a television, especially a large one, doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are some actionable tips to help you create a beautiful and functional media space in your home:
- Strategic Placement: Before buying any furniture, consider the best wall for your TV. Eye-level viewing from your primary seating is ideal for comfort. Avoid placing it over a high mantel if it means neck strain.
- Choose the Right Media Console: Invest in a cabinet or console that is wider than your TV. This creates visual balance and provides space for decor on either side of the screen. Look for pieces with ample storage to hide cables, remotes, and media. Our DIY printers cabinet is a perfect example of repurposing for both style and function.
- Integrate with a Gallery Wall: This is one of the most effective ways to make a large TV blend in. Surround the screen with a mix of framed art, photos, mirrors, and sentimental objects. Vary the sizes, shapes, and textures of your frames to create interest. The goal is to make the TV just one element within a larger visual story.
- Balance with Decor: Place decorative items on the media console itself. Books, small sculptures, or plants can add softness and warmth. On the wall, ensure your gallery items extend horizontally and vertically, effectively “framing” the TV within the larger display.
- Personalize Your Space: Incorporate items that reflect your personality and memories, just like our Lake Wylie sign or framed song lyrics. These personal touches distract from the impersonal nature of the TV screen and make the space feel truly yours.
- Consider Lighting: Strategically placed lamps or sconces can soften the harsh glow of the screen and add ambiance. Backlighting behind the TV can also reduce eye strain and make the screen appear less dominant.
- Embrace DIY and Thrifted Finds: As we did with our mirror and cabinet, budget-friendly makeovers can yield unique and charming results. Thrift stores are treasure troves for frames, art, and furniture pieces that can be easily transformed to match your decor.
- Cable Management: Hide unsightly cables! This is crucial for a clean and polished look. Use cable ties, cable management boxes, or drill holes in your media console to route wires discreetly.
By following these tips, you can transform your TV area from a design challenge into a beautiful, integrated part of your living space that you genuinely love. It’s about making the technology work for your home’s aesthetic, not the other way around.
For those interested in replicating some of our gallery wall elements, most of them are thrifted finds, but I’ve tracked down some fantastic look-alikes to help you get started. (Affiliate links are provided below for your convenience. For more information, please see my full disclosure here.)
- Gray wood frames
- Lake Wylie sign
- North Main St. sign
- Zinc frame
- Scroll frame
- Oval frame
And if you’re curious about how I achieved that perfectly painted and distressed look on our thrift store frames, you can find the detailed tutorial here. It’s an easy and rewarding DIY project that can instantly elevate your decor.
So, what are your thoughts? Have you come up with a brilliant solution for decorating around your TV that you’d love to share? Or perhaps you’re now feeling inspired and ready for a Netflix marathon party at our newly decorated house? I’ll definitely pop the popcorn!
