Television is an undeniably big part of most people’s lives today - used for watching TV, obviously, but also for watching movies, playing video games and showing family photos. Even so, viewers are divided about whether to show off their TV or hide it away when it’s not in use. The good news is you’ve got lots of decorating options whether you want to see the TV in your room or not.
Put It Out There
There are lots of options for keeping your T.V. in plain view and including it in the decor of your space. The room below incorporates the television into shelving units, storing equipment, tapes and DVDs out of sight in baskets.
Photo bhg.com
The television is displayed like a piece of art in this room. Its shape mirrors the horizontal rectangles of the surrounding framed pieces and it fits in without calling attention to itself.
Photo southernliving.com
Photo bhg.com
Photo bhg.com
Hide It Away
If you prefer not to see the television when you’re not watching it, you can camouflage it in a variety of ways. Below, a decorative screen folds back for easy viewing or lays flat so your guests admire its beauty without even knowing its hiding a T.V.
Photo southernliving.com
There are countless free-standing cabinets available for television storage. On this one sliding doors glide in front of the television when you want it out of sight and out of mind and the cabinet adds to the room’s decor by showcasing vases and books.
Photo elledecor.com
Floor to ceiling custom built-ins hide the T.V. while also showcasing art and books.
Photo bhg.com
In this formal living room guests admire the gold framed mirror – but might be surprised when the T.V. inserted in the wall behind it is turned on and the picture shines through the special one way mirror.
Photo southernliving.com
Do You Flash It or Stash It?
So which side of the television controversy are you on? Is your television on display or is it out of sight when not in use? How do you tie the T.V. into your decor if it’s on display? How do you hide it if it’s out of sight? What’s your advice to others trying to decide what to do? Click the Comment link below and share your television status.
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My husband is an electronic junkie while I prefer not to see any electronics out in the open. We reached a great compromise recently that satisfied both of our needs with products I saw on HGTV’s Divine Design. Basically, the tv is encased in a wooden frame with art that covers the tv when not in use and rolls up into the frame when you want to use your tv. I even found external speakers that are actually placed behind the drywall! My husband was thrilled because he was able to buy new electronic gadgets and I have a beautiful piece of art. One can check out the moving art at http://www.mediadecor.com and the concealed in-wall speakers at http://onsiaideas.com/different-speaker-families/in-wall. This option is somewhat pricey but we saved money by doing the installation ourselves.
With this selection of pics, I could go either way. Where it is displayed there’s enough going on that it’s not the only thing you see. Exception: the white bhg photo where you know something big and boxy is sitting in the cupboard, bursting to get out. Let’s hope TVs keep getting thinner and thinner – they make small-space living far easier!
.-= Lauren´s last blog ..Day 40- life around here =-.
Alas! The eternal dilema….that’s why I have it both ways. The upstairs tv is “hidden” in an antique wooden ice box…the lower level..it “almost” looks like a piece of the furniture since the screen is black over a black asian alter table. Can’t live with it and can’t live with out it.
Sounds like you’ve got your bases covered!