Interior Designer (and I) Made a Mistake - what do I do?

specialk1978

10 years ago

I have been using an interior designer to decorate my living room and dining room. All was good until the TV credenza arrived -- we both realized it is too tall at 39". I have 12 foot ceilings and the credenza itself is much taller than any of the chairs or couches. The TV is a 65" flat panel, so 57" wide and 33.2" tall. The senior designer and junior designer are recommending we hang the TV another 6 inches above the 39" credenza. The junior designer acknowledges the mistake but the senior designer is trying to convince me it is okay. They want me to hang the tv first and then decide. I would obviously not like to hang the TV twice! SR designer says because of the high ceilings and large tv, having the larger piece as an anchor makes sense.

The credenza was a custom order and I was aware of the dimensions. However, we never discussed whether or not it would be too large for the room. I feel like we both made a mistake. What are my options? I feel like the TV would be way too high above it, but I checked and "ordinary" credenzas seem to be in the 34-35" range…Any help as to whether I should suck it up or insist on a change (at whose cost?) would be appreciated so much. Thank you so much in advance.

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PRO

BeverlyFLADeziner

10 years ago

last modified: 10 years ago

It's not unusual to purchase taller items for a room with taller ceilings. That said, 39" is till shorter than most fireplace mantles. Your solution depends on the room furnishings and your preference. Can the credenza be used in the dining room or foyer?

I personally like my flatscreens only about 12" off the floor. Here is a cabinet in a living room with tall ceiling that is approx 39" high, but we built the flatscreen into the cabinet. It's works for my client.

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Comments (7)

PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 years ago
I don’t think the credenza is too big just too tall why not put it somewhere else and get a lower T.V stand for this space and no the T.V. should not be hung on the wall above it it is already to tall for the T.V.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
10 years ago
LOL really this is a rookie error
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bichonbabe
10 years ago
Photos of the space are needed to give an educated answer.
shirlpp
10 years ago
So, you can't sit the TV on the credenza, you must hang it?
MJ CHOE
8 years ago
wow that TV seems really low but looks very nice and works with the room. I like that the focus is on ART and not TV. VERY nice!
PRO
Elizabeth Minish Design
8 years ago
Yes, pictures would be very helpful, but I can say that just because TVs are frequently put above mantels, doesn't mean it's a good idea. They can literally cause a pain in the neck at that height. The "correct" viewing height for a screen seems to be subjective, but flat screen TVs are designed to be viewed straight on and with the middle of the screen at eye level (whatever that is). Other angles create distortion. Some people are more sensitive to this than others.

Do NOT hang the TV above the credenza because if you hate it there, the
repair job on the drywall is not insignificant. If you want to test the
look, get a piece of paper or cardboard (painted black like your TV will
be!) and tape it onto the wall. Do you have room in the room to get a lower piece as suggested?

If not, and you hate the placement for the TV, did you have an elevation drawing of the wall before you agreed to the piece? What does your contract say about resolving these kinds of issues?