TV in the Kitchen?

15 years ago

In our last home, the kitchen table area overlooked the Family Room which is where the TV was. So, we were able to have to TV on during meals (when we so chose), and while I was cooking I was able to have the TV on and listen for the most part while I cooked, cleaned, used my laptop, etc.

In our new (1950) Cape our galley kitchen (19x10) has no view at all to the LR TV and I miss it especially b/c I spend most of my time in the kitchen- (cooking, where my laptop is, etc) I hardly ever would just sit in the LR during the day.

We are renovating the first floor and adding a 7' extension to the back of the house which is our kitchen and dining room. Now, our kitchen will be 15x16. Anyway, it will have L shape along back of house, an island, and also a 12' wall opposite that which will most likely house from Left to Right pantry, desk or desk top (without the space underneath?) and double wall ovens.

I'm wondering if any of you use or plan to put a TV in the kitchen and how to make it look "okay". Our island stools will be facing the back of the house and the desk faces the front of the house (towards LR). I can post the layout another time, but was curious about ideas or if I shouldn't put one. Pics are great too! : )

I am considering making 4' or so of the 12' wall that is against LR, a half wall with a bar/desk so two stools can be tucked under. From there, there would be a view of the LR TV if we do the 1/2 wall. So, I'd put the "desk" (not a true desk) at the end of the configuration instead of in the middle.

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Comments (11)

2LittleFishies
Original Author
15 years ago
sixtyohno
15 years ago
I have always tried not to use the television as a background. So the television is in a place where you have to go and sit down and watch. That's just me. I do have a radio in the kitchen so I can listen to NPR in the morning and evening and switch to all music if I want. I guess I am too old to watch tv and do other things.
Laura
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function_first
15 years ago
How about mounting it on one of these on the side of the refrigerator cabinet, then when you're at the sink working you can have it facing you, but when island sitters want to watch something while they eat their Cheerios, they can pull it out toward them?

Even better, how about mounting one of these onto it? Comes with a bluetooth keyboard, so you could use it for looking up recipes on the web while cooking, or use it to listen to NPR or Pandora (insert plug for in-ceiling speakers), and kids at the island could show you their favorite Youtube videos (keeps us entertained for hours).

I'll admit it's not in keeping with perfect looks, but you can't beat the multi-functional aspects. And I have one of those arms on my computer in the study -- they're very nice looking......
zelmar
15 years ago
We have our tv on an arm in the cabinet over our fridge. It closes up into the cabinet when we aren't watching it. It can be turned toward the kitchen or table. It's perfect for us.

I also tend to be a listener rather than watcher so I don't mind that it's small. I can "watch" when I hear a particularly interesting news story or when there is a replay in sports.
cfire
15 years ago
Hi there -- Well... if you aren't married to the idea of having an actual TV in the kitchen, consider purchasing a Slingbox so you can watch television via your laptop (or tablet) instead. I believe there are other ways to connect a TV to a computer, but Slingbox seems like the easiest solution for non-techies.
irishlaw1
15 years ago
This has a lot of interesting ideas...

Here is a link that might be useful: [Houzz ideabook[(https://www.houzz.com/magazine/glued-to-the-tube-14-ways-to-put-a-tv-in-the-kitchen-stsetivw-vs~353457)
jscout
15 years ago
I wrestled with this for a long time. I had to decide during the rough-in phase while the wires were being pulled. In the end, I opted to forgo a fixed TV. Why? For exactly the reason cfire alluded to above. We have wifi throughout the house and will instead put an iPad or some other multipurpose device in the kitchen instead. Worse case is I have my laptop there.
2LittleFishies
Original Author
15 years ago
cfire- Awesome idea! My laptop will be there anyway. My 3 yr old MacBook doesn't quite meet the minimum requirement for the HD Slingbox, but it does for the SD. Either way it could always be an option in the future for me : )

I wonder what other similar systems are out there. I know apple has Apple TV but that is only shows/movies you purchase on iTunes I believe. Not live TV.

irishlaw- great reference as well! Love Houzz : )
blfenton
15 years ago
Instead of making the desk wall a 1/2 wall, put it back as a full wall and put a small tv on a swing arm in that space. Just a suggestion.
2LittleFishies
Original Author
15 years ago
blfenton- Thanks. The TV isn't very necessary. I'd like to decide on the half wall based on if the LR is too open to the kitchen or if we'd like that with entertaining better than a full wall.
In other words, I don't want to put a full wall just to have a TV. Thanks for your input! : )
marquest
15 years ago
My television is in the fridge door

Here is a link that might be useful: Fridge Door