Where to Place the TV in the Living Room?
Read up these tips to get around issues of combining space, style and comfort when installing a TV in the living room
The gods of decoration may roll their eyes at us mortals with a penchant for a flat screen in the living room, but then, not all of us are fortunate enough to have a separate family room or an entertainment section; and even if we do, let’s face it, the television is an integral part of the living room in most households. The saving grace is that current-gen TVs are not unsightly like their older cousins. But, while they are good-looking enough to place in the main room of your home, finding the right way of doing it without compromising on décor and upsetting your inner aesthete can be a challenge.
Here are some ideas to make TV watching enjoyable in a space that is comfortable and stylish.
Here are some ideas to make TV watching enjoyable in a space that is comfortable and stylish.
Identify your focal point
Is it the TV…
If the idea is to watch Netflix and relax more than entertain visitors, place the TV in the centre of the seating area, as seen here. The area surrounding the TV should be minimal so as not to distract from the action on screen. In this image, the slats used as a back panel show off the TV to its best advantage and work as a design element too – and with seating strategically placed all around it, the TV is elevated to being the cynosure of all eyes.
Is it the TV…
If the idea is to watch Netflix and relax more than entertain visitors, place the TV in the centre of the seating area, as seen here. The area surrounding the TV should be minimal so as not to distract from the action on screen. In this image, the slats used as a back panel show off the TV to its best advantage and work as a design element too – and with seating strategically placed all around it, the TV is elevated to being the cynosure of all eyes.
…or an alternative focus…
If you’d rather take in the view outside (or have an alternative focus), place it on the wall adjacent to the focal point so that it can still be viewed comfortably.
Tip: A couple of swivel chairs in such a set-up would be a handy addition.
If you’d rather take in the view outside (or have an alternative focus), place it on the wall adjacent to the focal point so that it can still be viewed comfortably.
Tip: A couple of swivel chairs in such a set-up would be a handy addition.
…or an accent wall…
Should your room be such that you have no choice but to place it on the one available wall, a nice way to integrate it would be to let it merge into the background. Here, the accent wall behind the TV dominates the living space, with the TV subtly receding into it.
Tip: Invest in blackout curtains in a room which has lots of windows, for the best viewing experience.
Should your room be such that you have no choice but to place it on the one available wall, a nice way to integrate it would be to let it merge into the background. Here, the accent wall behind the TV dominates the living space, with the TV subtly receding into it.
Tip: Invest in blackout curtains in a room which has lots of windows, for the best viewing experience.
…or good old conversation?
If conversation is the main focus, go with a furniture layout that has facing couches or chairs.
Placing the TV perpendicular to the sofa does make it less comfortable to watch, so make sure you can swivel your TV to get the best possible angle. Even so, this arrangement is probably best for households that watch TV only occasionally.
If conversation is the main focus, go with a furniture layout that has facing couches or chairs.
Placing the TV perpendicular to the sofa does make it less comfortable to watch, so make sure you can swivel your TV to get the best possible angle. Even so, this arrangement is probably best for households that watch TV only occasionally.
Don’t forget the media equipment
When installing your TV, make allowances for the storage of all the paraphernalia that goes with it, including the kids’ gaming gadgets. In the mélange of a myriad remotes, speakers and accessories, you’d invariably be left fuming when something is not handy at a moment’s notice, if they don’t have a proper home.
When installing your TV, make allowances for the storage of all the paraphernalia that goes with it, including the kids’ gaming gadgets. In the mélange of a myriad remotes, speakers and accessories, you’d invariably be left fuming when something is not handy at a moment’s notice, if they don’t have a proper home.
Make sure to buy media-storage furniture that will coordinate with the rest of the furniture in a room. You could either consider custom cabinetry or reimagine a favourite piece of furniture, such as an armoire.
Tip: Do note all equipment (including the TV) needs proper ventilation, so an enclosed cabinet should have enough air vents.
Tip: Do note all equipment (including the TV) needs proper ventilation, so an enclosed cabinet should have enough air vents.
Now to tackle issues of size and orientation.
How to manage in a small space?
In small spaces, the need is to optimise space and storage. Incorporate your TV set in a shelving unit surrounded by books, objets d’art and photographs. Fitting slim shelving around the TV helps it to blend into the wall, while the collectibles on the shelves draw attention away from the TV when it isn’t on.
Tip: If the TV is hung on a wall, a similar effect could be achieved by surrounding it with several framed works of art.
How to manage in a small space?
In small spaces, the need is to optimise space and storage. Incorporate your TV set in a shelving unit surrounded by books, objets d’art and photographs. Fitting slim shelving around the TV helps it to blend into the wall, while the collectibles on the shelves draw attention away from the TV when it isn’t on.
Tip: If the TV is hung on a wall, a similar effect could be achieved by surrounding it with several framed works of art.
When space is at a premium, and you don’t want the TV to dominate the room, create a prominent wall arrangement that steals focus away from the TV. Here, the first thing one notices is the gallery-like wall rather than the TV.
Read about ways to beautify the area around a TV
Read about ways to beautify the area around a TV
How to place it in an open-plan?
Instead of going the tried-and-tested way of placing the TV against a wall, consider using it as a divider between different spaces. An added bonus would be to install the TV on a swivel stand, allowing you to watch it from either the living or the dining area.
Instead of going the tried-and-tested way of placing the TV against a wall, consider using it as a divider between different spaces. An added bonus would be to install the TV on a swivel stand, allowing you to watch it from either the living or the dining area.
Much as we love large spaces in our homes, one problem with expansive open-plan living rooms is that they can end up feeling too big, especially for TV-watching.
Dividing a large room into smaller, snugger lounging zones could be an option in that case. Here, a well-placed TV in the dividing wall does the trick perfectly.
Dividing a large room into smaller, snugger lounging zones could be an option in that case. Here, a well-placed TV in the dividing wall does the trick perfectly.
Be thoughtful while placing TV in the living space. Place it strategically so that it can be viewed and enjoyed equally from other areas of the room, including from the comfort of the couch.
This is especially true when it comes to integrated areas.
Last but not the least (it also happens to be my favourite), this tip is good for all sizes of living spaces:
Hide it away
In a classic case of TV being a necessary evil that must be seen and heard only occasionally, hide it away by putting it inside a cupboard – or behind a sliding screen or picture frame. I would, however, prefer not to have the esteemed Sir Winston Churchill adorn my walls and go with something more decorative.
Discover more innovative ways to hide the TV
Hide it away
In a classic case of TV being a necessary evil that must be seen and heard only occasionally, hide it away by putting it inside a cupboard – or behind a sliding screen or picture frame. I would, however, prefer not to have the esteemed Sir Winston Churchill adorn my walls and go with something more decorative.
Discover more innovative ways to hide the TV
Now that we are all set for some intense Netflix-ing, let’s not forget the cardinal rule of TV watching – the TV stays off when you are entertaining, unless it’s a planned evening of binge-watching Game of Thrones or a football game.
Read more:
Furniture Arrangement: A Guide to TV Room Layouts
Where to Position Your Living Room TV
Tell us:
If you have any other tips to add, do share with us in the Comments section.
Read more:
Furniture Arrangement: A Guide to TV Room Layouts
Where to Position Your Living Room TV
Tell us:
If you have any other tips to add, do share with us in the Comments section.
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Before you dash off to the stores, give your living room a once-over for general dimensions. You don’t want to take delivery of a 56-inch flat-screen and discover it’s a tad too big to fit on the wall you had designated for it. Or find that you can’t manage enough viewing distance.
Tip: Match these measurements to those of the TV – not its screen size but its overall dimensions. Not all 56-inch (or any other size) TVs are the same length and breadth.
Pro tip: The best size for your TV depends on how big the room is, how far away you will be sitting, and – what you can afford.