Please help my ugly media wall!

8 years ago

Ugh, I hate. this. wall. I wish I could do a fireplace with reclaimed wood background or a regular mantel, but that's not in the cards for now. So I need a quick fix to do this week so I can feel good about the space going into fall, Halloween and the Holidays. am going to leave the TV and IKEA Besta media cabinet with Panyl faux wood doors on, and just remove the babyproofing straps and conceal the cable and electrical cords as best I can with wiring molding either behind the wall or in plain sight. Once it's cleaned up in that way, I don't know what else to do to make it a cozy, stylish focal point. I probably could do toy storage for the area at the bottom - maybe grey felt boxes? i'd like some plug-in sconces maybe for either side of the TV, but then I've got more cords to deal with. What could I put above the TV - maybe a stylized faux trophy head? What should I put on top of the media cabinet to fill in that awkward space? I'd like some seasonal decor and year-round pieces. Anyway, I'd welcome ideas, especially with images. Thank you!

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Alley Cat
Original Author

8 years ago

Just wanted to share an update. Although not perfect, I'm much happier with this media wall. I (mostly) hid the cords, got a bigger ottoman for toy storage and extra seating, lowered the TV and added accessories and a faux trophy head. Hoping to paint his antlers gold soon. Thanks everyone for your great ideas!

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Comments (16)

Alley Cat
Original Author
8 years ago
And yes, it's a stand-alone feature wall with the entryway on one side and a guest room on the other. For anyone who has seen my posts about my overall living room, it's the opposite wall in my living room - opposite the sofa.
Alley Cat
Original Author
8 years ago
The faux wood stencil on the media cabinet actually looks normal and fine in "person.". The trellis-like pattern you can see here is just a rug reflecting on the glass on the cabinet door. I'm moving the rug out of the room.
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Alley Cat
Original Author
8 years ago
Sorry to keep adding info - the ceilings are about 10 feet, if that's useful to know. The TV is set too high but I'm not going to be able to move it down.
Darzy
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
First thing is hide the cords. You can get paintable stick on the wall 'panels" that hide the cords. You just put the cords inside and paint the sleeve the color of the wall. Your idea of baskets for storage underneath works for me. You don't need sconces or anything hung above the tv at all.

Home Depot wall strip to hide tv cords
rnonwheels
8 years ago
Grab some free pallet wood (not chemically treated look for the heat treated stamp) surround the media ctr. and tv with 8-10 inches of wood, tuck those cords behind the new panels. Some low tin or natural wood bins or small containers on top of the media ctr., no higher than 2-3 inches to store remotes or keys should tidy up the top and you will be good to go.
Darzy
8 years ago
Line up four of these under the console for storage...

Storage Baskets
Janie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK
8 years ago
Hi Alley Cat,

Sorry if I missed it, but what is your budget? Your time frame is around Halloween?
Alley Cat
Original Author
8 years ago
Hi Janie, my budget is under $100. Looking at thrift and DIY ideas...
dawnec
8 years ago
I have a couple of suggestions that may or may not work. First, hide the cables. Can you run the cables thru the wall to the other side and hide electronics there- maybe in a cabinet that is sitting on the back of this wall? Secondly, paint the wall a darker color to blend with the TV. If the wall is stand alone, paint the whole thing all the way around, or pick a way to paint just the wall that is shown in the picture so the painted area is equal on both sides of the TV. Paint moulding too. You will be surprised how nice it makes the TV look. I like the idea of baskets, boxes or stools under the cabinet, maybe a green plant on one side on the floor. Then I would add something seasonal on top of the cabinet and nothing else- don't do sconces. Keep the decorations lower than the TV (the candle that is there now is too high). If you still feel like you need something above the TV maybe three pictures lined up and hung a little wider than the TV, or a animal head (which I love) and two pictures on either side.

I can't wait to see what you come up with.
Alley Cat
Original Author
8 years ago
What does everyone think of putting this ottoman on the floor under the media cabinet, maybe with a narrow planter alongside.
https://m.bedbathandbeyond.com/m/product/seville-classics-foldable-storage-bench-ottoman/3336157?skuId=62243827&mcid=PS_googlepla_nonbrand_furniture_online&product_id=62243827&adtype=pla&product_channel=online&adpos=1o1&creative=43742645269&device=m&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwp30vs3N1gIVExIbCh19XgGmEAQYASABEgI41vD_BwE
Maureen
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
You could build a frame (suggest the same width as your cabinet) and then measure how much fabric you need...then staple to the frame. In your case, build a second one that goes under the cabinet. White, brown fabric would be complimentary and don't over accessorize - just a large/low wooden bowl and add seasonal items.
Darzy
8 years ago
Here's the link to Alley Cat's storage bench... But, I'm not loving the idea because it would look odd to have a bench you couldn't really sit on because it's under the tv console.

Bench Alley Cat is Considering
Darzy
8 years ago
I really like Maureen's idea of the fabric panel behind the tv and console. Very nice budget solution.
Alley Cat
Original Author
8 years ago
Darzy, the ottoman would hold my kids' toy storage then pull out to sit on, facing the sofa when guests come. It can bear 400 pounds.
Tanya H
8 years ago
I think the ottoman would be the simplest solution if it's not too bulky. I have four kids under six so I can fully appreciate double-duty furniture. You can toss the toys in and shove it under the console and it will hide the cables for you too.

A table runner on the console with a few low decorative/seasonal items would be fun. Treat it like a mantle.