Floating TV Installation
TOM STORY
TVs can feel heavy, but this one feels weightless, thanks to the mounted install, which is mirrored by the floating cabinet below. This TV area blends modern and traditional style well, which can help a television look at home. The modern lines of the cabinet serve the sleek TV well, while the natural wood complements the old world style of the velvet footstools.
Move the Eye Away from the TV
EDMUND BARR
If you have a large, blank wall, consider a long line of built-in cabinets as your TV stand. This will ground the TV and draw the eye left and right, rather than straight to the TV. Further, this setup gives you flexibility in the size of your television: You could stand a smaller TV on the cabinets and use the wall space for art, or mount a large television on the wall.
Find a Secondhand TV Stand
BRIE WILLIAMS
To find the right TV stand, you may need to get creative—especially if your style is eclectic or traditional. Don't just search for 'tv stand' when shopping online. Include terms like sideboard, console, and cabinet to see a variety of furniture types that could work in your space. When searching, it's also smart to include terms specific to your interior style, such as midcentury or French country, to find vintage options that will suit your style.
Paint a Dark Backdrop
TRIA GIOVAN
Painting the TV stand and wall behind the TV a dark color is a clever way to disguise it. In fact, painting the entire room a dark color will not only create a cozy, moody space, but it will also reduce the glare on the television, making it easier to see.
Repurposed Dresser or Chest
MARTY BALDWIN
Repurposing a dresser is an easy way to get a stylish TV stand and more storage, and it’s also a budget-friendly route, as there are plenty of second-hand options available. This simple dresser with bead details suits the transitional style of this room.
Hang Your TV on a Gallery Wall
DYLAN CHANDLER
Hang your TV as part of a gallery wall to reduce attention on it. Be sure there are art pieces of a similar scale on the wall, so that the TV isn’t the biggest item. Here, two simple floating shelves create space for the television as well as plenty of art prints in matching frames.
Enclosed TV Cabinet
ANNIE SCHLECHTER
Tuck your TV away to keep it out of sight and out of mind. Storing your TV behind cabinet doors, or even in an armoire, allows you to totally eliminate the site of the TV when desired. Here, decorative mid-century panels slide in to disguise the television when it’s not in use.
Consider the Right Width
BRIAN MCWEENEY
This antique pine cabinet fits perfectly in this room, which is full of other antiques and natural wood. It’s also a good illustration of proportion: Despite being a similar width to the TV, there are a few inches on either side, allowing the TV to rest easily on top without looking too big. The petite TV and smaller-scale stand allow for the gorgeous natural wood fireplace to be the star of the room.
Styling With Antiques
JAMES NATHAN SCHRODER
If you love traditional style and antiques, adding a TV can feel even more painful. Here, large-scale vintage items nicely balance the size of the TV and ensure it’s not the center of attention.
Install Floating Shelves
MARTY BALDWIN
Place your TV among open shelves to take the focus off the blank screen. Adjustable shelves like these are affordable and make it easy to change things around if you get a different size TV or want a different arrangement. Placing your TV above your desk is also an efficient use of space, so consider this if your wall space is limited.
Built-In TV
KIM CORNELISON
Build a home for your TV within built-in shelves, which not only makes your TV placement look intentional, but also creates a visually engaging surrounding that’s not just about the TV. Use the shelving as an opportunity to show off objects you find beautiful or things you like to have close at hand, and the TV becomes almost an afterthought.
Use a Modern Media Cabinet
ADAM ALBRIGHT
Media cabinets are built to house multiple electronics, cords and all, making this a smart option if you use many types of media or have a collection of DVDs, VHS tapes, or records. The style shown here includes sliding doors that hide the TV for an upscale look, but can be opened while the television is in use.
Solving a Too-Short Console
MARTY BALDWIN
If you have a piece that is the correct width for your TV but it’s not tall enough, mount the TV above it and create height with books, plants, or sculpture. This allows you to use a piece that you love (that just isn't the right height) or get more use out of something you already have.
Custom TV Frame
ADAM ALBRIGHT
The custom frame built around this TV makes it feel like an intentional addition to the room. Plus, it hides any cords or other hardware for a cleaner look. The only downside to such an approach is that you don't have much flexibility with the size of your TV, and can't upgrade or replace it easily.
Bookshelf TV Stand
DAVID A LAND
Mounting your TV in front of a bookshelf creates a dynamic, layered look. Thanks to the deep blue of these shelves, the television blends in quite well and becomes just another source of media and entertainment in a room bursting with things to do and see.
Measuring for a TV in Built-Ins
ADAM ALBRIGHT
To make your TV 'fit in' among built-in shelves, you’ll need to consider it’s position and size. Aim for equal space above and on either side of the TV, and slightly more space below. The extra space on the bottom keeps your TV from looking like it’s sinking or hanging too low.
Choosing the Right Size
EDMUND BARR
The height of your TV stand correlates to the size of your TV. Check guidelines for your TV size to learn the correct height. Since this television is smaller, it’s hung higher, and thus, a tall sideboard below it makes sense. Make sure the width of your TV stand is always several inches wider than your TV on both sides.
Consider Storage Needs
KAT TEUTSCH
The TV stand is an important storage opportunity, so while you’ll want to consider the proportions to the television, also keep in mind what type of storage would be useful in your TV room. Here, low open storage provides easy access to toys and books for young children.
TV Behind Barn Doors
MARTY BALDWIN
Large barn doors enclose this TV for a peaceful view when the TV isn’t in use. You can create this effect by using an existing closet or by cutting into your drywall and framing to build a nook.
Small Media Cabinet
JEAN ALLSOPP
This media cabinet is small enough to hold electronics and media without taking over the space. The white Shaker doors on a white wall also help it blend in. Art hangs around the TV in a symmetrical arrangement creating an overall look that’s fresh but traditional.