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ygreenwood66

A common problem: decorating around the tv

8 years ago
I've turned a small bdrm into a tv/reading room. What to do beyond a television has me stumped. A small cognac colored sofa/love seat, & end table on either side, faces the TV wall and in between those walls is a window w/floor to ceiling bk cases on ea side. Under the tv I have a short narrow bk case to allow room for corner chair. That contemporary chair is temporary until I find the right one. (Oh to afford R. Lauren's Indian Cove Lodge chair!)

The rm is painted a cool, restfull shade of green and the cornice above the window is a red & black plaid.

I'm considering, for lack of better ideas, putting up an old needlepoint family crest but I don't really care for it. Another thought is graduated size convex mirrors going down the wall to the right of the tv. Or just to group them together but it feels like there should be a little more happening to the right of tv. And what if anything should go to the right?

If only all our problems were this size, right?
Thank you for your ideas.
Barbara Boisvert

Comments (17)

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Nice room. Seems inviting.

    Not a fan of that particular floor lamp in that location or for reading. Something taller with a larger shade might be better suited for reading.

    https://www.lampsplus.com/sfp/1K790/?cm_mmc=GOO-SH--NA--NA-_-1K790&sourceid=DFGPD1K790&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhO_ajv_v2QIVRLjACh0rZAsREAQYBiABEgJ0d_D_BwE

    Like the shelving beneath the tv; however, if you added either casters or legs or built a black wood base to make it taller, it would be a better fit.

    Probably would have used the two framed pictures above the sofa hung closer together without the shelf.

    Plant needs a plant stand.

    Hanging items on the wall around the tv can end up creating a cluttered look. Raising the cabinet beneath the tv several inches, changing out the floor lamp and adding a plant stand for your plant should be enough decorating "around" the tv.

  • 8 years ago
    you need a much longer console under the TV (and lower the latter to seated eye level) — i think that will make the wall feel more grounded. plant and lamp seem like enough to the sides; decorating around a TV risks making the wall feel over crowded.
  • 8 years ago
    Another option to hide it: there are devices that allow you to lower the TV when it's not use. A friend has this and the TV is lowered behind a bookshelf.
  • 8 years ago
    I saw an interesting television, the framed TV that displays art work when not watching it.
  • 8 years ago

    You're right about that relaxing shade of green. Do you remember the name? It's a room I could spend all day in (that's not a good thing!).

    You could do the art around the TV thing, but it looks a little distracting. I've never tried it - I like my art way too much to let the TV dictate where I hang it. I like your idea of something vertical on the right, and something mirrored might work.

    You might not need even that. I do think a slightly longer (although I don't know how much room you have) credenza and lowering your TV might do more for the room than you think. I like the Chinese Evergreen, the lamp, and chair so a longer piece might not work here. Hmm. Maybe try lowering the TV. I'm flummoxed. This room feels so right.

    I do have my own rules about art. Those framed pieces behind the leather love seat are way too high. If it means the shelf has to be relocated then so be it. I don't let much get in the way of my rule - 57" or 58" on center for art. I've made a few exceptions over the years but they've been rare.

    I'm including an image.

    I like the really small pictures to the left and right of the TV because you really have to get really close to appreciate them or even know what they are.

    This is a room that keeps it real and looks good, so do what you feel is right.

  • 8 years ago

    I'm in the camp that says the TV should be lower and above a credenza 25% wider than it is. I would also remove the shelf above the sofa and if you still want something on the TV wall, hang those two pieces flanking it and centered 5' above the floor. Then I'd shop for a single piece of art for the loveseat. It should be no wider than 75% of the sofa's width and should hang 5" above it.

  • 8 years ago

    I like your room. It's pretty and restful and tasteful. As far as your TV wall -- I see nothing wrong with just the TV on the wall. And if that bookcase is there because of the chair I think it's fine. The wall over the sofa looks "odd" to me -- I think I would remove the shelf and lower the art. There's just something "off" about the shelf and art to me. But it looks like a nice room for TV Watching.

  • 8 years ago
    I wouldn’t put a mirror on a tv wall- it’ll be distracting to keep catching reflections of yourself beside the tv.
    This may be a bit more of an overhaul than you’re looking for, but I love TVs in the middle of a wall of built-in bookshelves. This would also save you some space widthwise so your reading chair would have more space by the window.
  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    I like your taste!

    I would: remove the shelf over the sofa, lower the art behind the sofa and add more pieces over time; rearrange as needed.

    For the TV area: larger console and a stenciled or wallpapered wall. Could be tone on tone. The pattern will keep it from looking empty and add interest without being too distracting.

  • 8 years ago

    Truly I'm not awake yet to attempt to add decorating advise but I do want to take a minute to say I really like your room. It's very cozy, warm, and so refreshing to see.

  • 8 years ago
    last modified: 8 years ago

    Pretty room!

    I’m one who does like art around the TV. (We recently downsized to a rental, so another reason was not having anywhere else for all of my pictures.)

    I centered the art display on the wall as if the TV wasn’t there (it looks off at this angle). We don’t watch a lot of TV, so I enjoy having my art to look at the rest of the time. We don’t find it distracting at all, though, when the TV is on.

  • 8 years ago

    I love this room! Cozy and comfy and pretty. I love being surrounded by books.

    Some inspiration.

    above is my house. Windows on every wall make TV placement a little difficult. As well as art placement. So I just kept hanging things!

    Below are a couple stock pictures I liked and saved.



  • 8 years ago

    I think your room looks great! Personally, I don’t subscribe to the “rule” that the console beneath needs to be much wider than the TV, especially since you have the lamp and plant to help ground the space.

  • 8 years ago

    Nothing to add to the conversation. I just want to add my name to your decorating fan club though.

  • 8 years ago

    Your room is definitely someplace I could hang out in. Just lovely.

  • 8 years ago

    I'll join the chorus that really likes your nice room. However, to me the console under the TV looks cluttered and distracting. I would simplify it, and in my house it would be solidly filled with books.