9 Stylish Ways to Integrate Your TV
Will a prominent television set ruin the look of a beautifully designed room? Not with these aesthetically astute ideas
Kate Burt
7 October 2019
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
Your TV isn’t usually considered a design feature. In fact, it’s a detail often hidden in many of the professional photographs you might see on Houzz. Sometimes you can see why – in a beautifully put-together scheme, even a sleek television can stick out like the one thing the designer may not have chosen.
But what about in real life? There are probably few of us who wouldn’t admit to relaxing on the sofa for some on-demand viewing. Marvel, then, at the rooms below, where the TVs are just as much a part of the design as the cushions, paint and furniture.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
But what about in real life? There are probably few of us who wouldn’t admit to relaxing on the sofa for some on-demand viewing. Marvel, then, at the rooms below, where the TVs are just as much a part of the design as the cushions, paint and furniture.
This article is from our Most Popular stories file
Let it breathe
Rather than mounting the TV above the fireplace, where it risks competing with an already large focal point, O&A Design have here fixed it to an otherwise empty wall, above a stylish low unit. This dignifies its presence.
To balance things out and keep the television as just one – rather than the – element in the room, there’s a striking 3D artwork on the adjoining wall to look at when the screen is off.
The small effort of tying the colour of the telly (usually black) into the rest of the scheme here – in the furniture legs and unit detailing – really makes a difference to the coherence of the design, and ensures the screen doesn’t stick out as a purely functional element in the room.
Rather than mounting the TV above the fireplace, where it risks competing with an already large focal point, O&A Design have here fixed it to an otherwise empty wall, above a stylish low unit. This dignifies its presence.
To balance things out and keep the television as just one – rather than the – element in the room, there’s a striking 3D artwork on the adjoining wall to look at when the screen is off.
The small effort of tying the colour of the telly (usually black) into the rest of the scheme here – in the furniture legs and unit detailing – really makes a difference to the coherence of the design, and ensures the screen doesn’t stick out as a purely functional element in the room.
Go vintage
If ultra-modern isn’t your thing, there are still ways to make a brand-new large screen fit into your décor. Take time to source a vintage or vintage-style sideboard or shelving unit just the right shape and size to house your TV, as seen in this homely room by Kia Designs.
Many interior designers are happy to take on the standalone job of sourcing items for clients, if raking through secondhand outlets isn’t your forte.
Read more surprising ways an interior designer could help you.
If ultra-modern isn’t your thing, there are still ways to make a brand-new large screen fit into your décor. Take time to source a vintage or vintage-style sideboard or shelving unit just the right shape and size to house your TV, as seen in this homely room by Kia Designs.
Many interior designers are happy to take on the standalone job of sourcing items for clients, if raking through secondhand outlets isn’t your forte.
Read more surprising ways an interior designer could help you.
Choose a designer TV
In this relaxed, Scandi-feel living room, the designers at ALL & NXTHING have chosen a great-looking freestanding television. It works almost as a piece of furniture in its own right.
The TV ties in with the pale colour scheme, and the shape of its legs echoes the ones on the coffee table. Coordination perfection.
In this relaxed, Scandi-feel living room, the designers at ALL & NXTHING have chosen a great-looking freestanding television. It works almost as a piece of furniture in its own right.
The TV ties in with the pale colour scheme, and the shape of its legs echoes the ones on the coffee table. Coordination perfection.
Colour coordinate your carpentry
This floor-to-ceiling bespoke shelving by Barnes Design works beautifully as the focal point of a room without a chimney breast. The secret to its success is that the colour of the wood blends with the screen, so the TV feels part of the design rather than a potentially jarring later addition.
This smart shelving unit even accommodates a tiny fireplace at the bottom. A gel fire would be an option to look into for a situation like this, as it doesn’t require a flue (though it does need fire-suitable housing).
This floor-to-ceiling bespoke shelving by Barnes Design works beautifully as the focal point of a room without a chimney breast. The secret to its success is that the colour of the wood blends with the screen, so the TV feels part of the design rather than a potentially jarring later addition.
This smart shelving unit even accommodates a tiny fireplace at the bottom. A gel fire would be an option to look into for a situation like this, as it doesn’t require a flue (though it does need fire-suitable housing).
This room follows a similar concept, but shows how differently it can be executed. Here, the team at Honky have inset the television into richly coloured wood panelling rather than open shelving, linking it with black in the table, cushions and lamps to pull the elements together.
Storage could easily be hidden behind such panelling, with push-touch or sliding doors.
Storage could easily be hidden behind such panelling, with push-touch or sliding doors.
Add ‘original’ features
The more you think about this concept, the cleverer it gets. Many of us living in period properties will have a fireplace and a mantelpiece. Occasionally, the design will be more elaborate – like this one by Julie Williams Design, which stretches up to the ceiling.
If you don’t have this additional feature, consider having one built, in the style of your original fireplace, and then paint the whole frame the same colour. Now, rather than having a modern, functional box floating above the most prominent feature in your room, you’ve integrated your television into it.
A black TV will also often tie in to the black grate in a fireplace, whatever colour you choose to paint the frame. Here, a dark shade works well to reduce the impact of the screen without hiding or apologising for it.
To have a frame like this made, contact a carpenter in your area.
The more you think about this concept, the cleverer it gets. Many of us living in period properties will have a fireplace and a mantelpiece. Occasionally, the design will be more elaborate – like this one by Julie Williams Design, which stretches up to the ceiling.
If you don’t have this additional feature, consider having one built, in the style of your original fireplace, and then paint the whole frame the same colour. Now, rather than having a modern, functional box floating above the most prominent feature in your room, you’ve integrated your television into it.
A black TV will also often tie in to the black grate in a fireplace, whatever colour you choose to paint the frame. Here, a dark shade works well to reduce the impact of the screen without hiding or apologising for it.
To have a frame like this made, contact a carpenter in your area.
Think small
Not everyone feels the need for a large, wall-mounted screen, especially if it’s a secondary TV. In this instance, consider choosing what some might deem an old-school arrangement – a modestly proportioned, freestanding model, as seen here. It’s one simple way to keep your TV from dominating your space.
TG-Studio, who designed this colourful living area, also pulled off a nice trick to connect the screen to the rest of the décor: the two black-and-white framed photos above it. (Of course, this works best when the TV’s switched off, or happens to be showing a tasteful black and white film…).
Not everyone feels the need for a large, wall-mounted screen, especially if it’s a secondary TV. In this instance, consider choosing what some might deem an old-school arrangement – a modestly proportioned, freestanding model, as seen here. It’s one simple way to keep your TV from dominating your space.
TG-Studio, who designed this colourful living area, also pulled off a nice trick to connect the screen to the rest of the décor: the two black-and-white framed photos above it. (Of course, this works best when the TV’s switched off, or happens to be showing a tasteful black and white film…).
Dispense with predictable storage
It’s become a convention that TV units need to have shelves and cupboards in them. The team at Sigmar have turned that idea on its head in this home by making one wall all about the television. Cleverly, however, the screen doesn’t take over.
Firstly, that’s because, like many of the designs here, there’s a niche for the TV, making it disappear a little, as it’s flush to the wall. Secondly, because the textured surface around it is so interesting to look at, you’re not staring at the screen as your focal point… until you turn it on, of course – and then you want it to be.
This idea doesn’t mean no storage, incidentally. It’s about repositioning it instead (look to the right in this room and you’ll see some open shelving). The services of an interior architect or a designer who can help to ensure you aren’t short of places to put things can be invaluable with a design like this, especially when space is tight.
It’s become a convention that TV units need to have shelves and cupboards in them. The team at Sigmar have turned that idea on its head in this home by making one wall all about the television. Cleverly, however, the screen doesn’t take over.
Firstly, that’s because, like many of the designs here, there’s a niche for the TV, making it disappear a little, as it’s flush to the wall. Secondly, because the textured surface around it is so interesting to look at, you’re not staring at the screen as your focal point… until you turn it on, of course – and then you want it to be.
This idea doesn’t mean no storage, incidentally. It’s about repositioning it instead (look to the right in this room and you’ll see some open shelving). The services of an interior architect or a designer who can help to ensure you aren’t short of places to put things can be invaluable with a design like this, especially when space is tight.
Make it part of the architecture
It’s clear that theCAVE architecture + design didn’t make the TV an afterthought in this room. This impressive contemporary hearth and shelf includes an alcove especially for the screen. Choosing black for the bottom of the area reinforces the idea that the television is a considered design element.
It’s clear that theCAVE architecture + design didn’t make the TV an afterthought in this room. This impressive contemporary hearth and shelf includes an alcove especially for the screen. Choosing black for the bottom of the area reinforces the idea that the television is a considered design element.
Blend it into the background
Choosing a dark background for your TV is a way already touched upon to help your screen to look intentional and part of the design of the room as a whole.
Clifton Interiors chose this ultra-contemporary unit to do just that. The shiny surface of the screen when turned off adds depth and enhances the feeling of space.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas do you like most – or would you prefer to prioritise your TV over the design of a room? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Choosing a dark background for your TV is a way already touched upon to help your screen to look intentional and part of the design of the room as a whole.
Clifton Interiors chose this ultra-contemporary unit to do just that. The shiny surface of the screen when turned off adds depth and enhances the feeling of space.
Tell us…
Which of these ideas do you like most – or would you prefer to prioritise your TV over the design of a room? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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cassandra and spookyduderino, I abandoned TV several years ago since I can use my laptop to watch XC skiing and biathlon, the only things I really want to see. Wondering whether a built-in TV is a fixture if the house is sold? Whether it is or not, if the purchaser doesn't want a TV there, is getting rid of the hole in the wall and wiring going to be difficult?
Well I use my very large laptop... ancient but still in perfect working order... laptop as well Deborah. Many films and TV progs can be watched via YouTube if necessary though not, of course, the recent or live ones. Mine has a DVD slot so I can watch films but crowding round a 17.5" screen ain't great when folk come round!
I particularly like the CAVE design. The TV is offset not centralised as in most designs that you see in glossy mags, which works particularly well with the fireplace. Both are joined with the long shelf beneath (dark to connect the TV) and the sequence of oblongs is taken up by the picture to the right. While the TV is hung between 2/3 : 1/3 of 'wall' space, the picture is opposite, being hung 1/3 : 2/3 from the ceiling, which I find rather pleasing!