Admittedly, there are a handful of areas in our home, where the primary function of the room is to simply plop down on a comfy sofa or sectional, with an overflowing bowl full of popcorn of course + binge watch an entire season of Virgin River on Netflix or to enjoy football on Sunday’s because every now + again –– a lil’ screen time is good for the soul.

But let's be honest, in a world that believes bigger is better (especially when it comes to the tv screen) I might argue that decorating around the TV is the bane of design… ok, perhaps that was a little harsh *wink!*

Truth be told though, that’s because figuring out exactly how to decorate around a TV without making it the sole focal point of the room is often a huge design challenge. Especially when  open floor plans mean the kitchen, dining + living room are all interconnected + wide open to one another.

But not to fret my dear, with over a decade of experience + as your fav interior designers, we have a handful of design savvy solutions up our sleeve when it comes to figuring out exactly how to decorate around a TV.

Create Symmetry With Built-In Cabinetry Around The TV

One of our absolute favorite methods for how to decorate around a TV is to create symmetry with built-in cabinetry. 

Functionally speaking + depending on whether or not the cabinetry design incorporates open + closed storage, built-ins can become a fantastic place to hide any of your electronics (which is always a plus) but symmetrically speaking built-in cabinetry can quite literally steal the show… in a good way of course.

Because of their sheer size, in comparison to the TV, they not only win from a visual weight perspective but they provide a ton of great places to showcase decor, accessories + personality pieces that tell your story.

Psst… be sure to check out our best-kept Secrets For Styling Stop + Stare Bookcases

And not to worry boo, if you’re not in the process of designing a custom built home, where you are starting from scratch + able to decide the original cabinetry layout of a room –– creating symmetry that detracts from the TV is still an option.

Use Free Standing Bookcases To Decorate Around The TV

Certainly, adding wall-to-wall cabinetry is one of our favorite ways to address the “how to decorate around the TV obstacle” but my friend, it’s not the only way. And while this next solution kind of piggy-backs off of the idea of adding built-ins, I still wanted you to have it. 

Because using free standing bookcases as standalone furniture is another fantastic way to artfully add visual interest to your room, that goes beyond the television. 

In fact, if adding custom built-ins isn’t an option or it simply blows the budget, try flanking the television with free-standing bookcases –– trust me, with this work around, the sky’s the limit.

Hang It Above A Console Table or Sideboard

Not surprised to see this one? 

Well, that’s because sometimes in design — doing what’s expected allows another area of the room to shine. But there’s a twist here...

You see, we said hang it above a console table or sideboard which are different than a media console. Say what?!?! I know right, the semantics of interior design *wink* 

Typically, media console tables have a pretty standard look + feel to them. Now, don’t get me wrong, they can work just fine. In reality, we’ve been known to sneak a media console or two into our designs over the years.

But our preferred method that we absolutely love when it comes to decorating around a TV is to actually display the television above a gorgeous console table. And that’s because when you venture away from the necessity of using a “media console” you enter a world of endless opportunity. One where we’re no longer tied to looking at furniture that’s made to store electronics. Plus, who wants to look at the cable box, your blu-ray player, the X-box or a snarled mess of unsightly wires anyway?

Utilizing a console table, the best way to decorate around a TV is to hide all media equipment behind a closed cabinet + to layer in a handful of decorative accessories to the top. Think... low-height objects, stacked books + when space permits greenery that won’t block the TV screen. 

How High Should You Hang Your TV

Like clockwork, this question undoubtedly will be popping up in your head soon — so let’s get it squared away before it does. First, there’s a couple of things to consider.

1. With the exception of TVs hung over a fireplace, any TV hung on the wall should be hung so the center of the TV is at eye-level. This is not only for optimal viewing but it’s really for comfort… Nobody enjoys sitting in the front row at a movie theater.

2. The best height for hanging a TV above a console table is between 8-10” from the top of the console table. A lot of people go, “sheesh, that seems close.” 

However, remember that your goal is to make the TV fit in + not to draw a ton of attention to it so what you really want to accomplish is to create a vignette that incorporates the console table + the decorative accents you have on top.

How Far Should You Be Away From The TV?

I want to, slightly, digress for a moment because one question we often get asked from clients is how far should we be away from the TV? Lucky for you… here’s the answer.

• For a 40” TV — the proper viewing distance is between 5’ to 6’ (a little further won't hurt)

• For a 50-55” TV — the viewing distance should be 6’ to 8’

• A 60-65” TV —  should be viewed between 7’ to 12’

• A 70-75” TV — is viewed appropriately at 9’ to 14’

• And an 80-85” TV — is best viewed at 10.5’ to 15’

As always, these are guidelines not rules. Feel free to adjust as circumstances dictate.

What Size Should Your Console Table Be?

Well, that’s based upon two things… 

1. What’s the appropriate sized piece for the room? Perhaps one console table will fit perfectly but what if it doesn’t? The reason I bring this up, first, is because you don’t want to the answers to the test (what size your console table should be) + then merely assume it’s right for your home.

2. What size TV do you have?

As a general guideline, you want to have at least 4-8” on either side of the TV for your console table. If it’s mounted, you can get away with slightly less. But the reality is… you don’t want the TV to feel like it’s dominating the console table or sideboard.

Below is a helpful breakdown…

• For a 40” TV — console table size should be at least 48”

• For 50” TV — console table size should be at least 58”

• For a 60” TV — console table size should be at least 68”

• For a 70” TV — console table size should be at least 78”

Incorporating Artwork Around A TV

There’s a couple of different ways to incorporate artwork around the TV.

Add A Gallery Wall

Adding a gallery wall is great because typically, your furniture will be arranged towards the TV which only means that once the TV is turned off — you’ll be staring at a big blank screen. #WhatAView 

When you place framed artwork around the TV, spaced equally apart as you might see in a gallery, you consider the TV a part of the gallery wall which focuses a person's eyes towards the entire gallery wall instead of simply the TV.

Art Setting

One of my favorite ways to not make the TV a focal point is to actually upgrade it to a television with an art setting. Most popular is the Samsung Frame TV where you can choose from a selection of popular art pieces or upload your own. #WinWin 

The point here is that when the TV is in use it’s functional, there could be a gallery wall around it, a fireplace below it or built-ins on either side of it but once it’s off — it just looks like another piece of art.

Well, there you have it...everything you need to know about our favorite ways for how to decorate around a TV.

Designing a home that you’ll not only live in but a home that’s intentionally designed to be everything your family needs + nothing more –– now that’s the ultimate love investment! It’s also an investment in time. An investment in energy. And a financial investment. But don’t forget friend, that creating home isn’t about reaching a final destination nor is it something you just happen upon.

Our homes should represent us. They should embody the things we value + what we believe. Which are likely going to change over time (because life happens, boo!)

Which is why, in order to create a home that feels like the most comfortable part of your day, an interior designer + professional organizer at Elegant Simplicity has to consider every aspect of how you live –– does it make sense for you, your family + your home.

Now don’t be shy, if you’re planning your next project, let’s chat. 

Go on, book a one-on-oneFREE 30-minute Clarity Call with us + get ready for some magic, sister!