Arranging a TV in a small living room can be a challenging task, even for experienced interior designers. Finding the right placement ensures the TV doesn’t overwhelm the space while still being practical for viewing.
Some consider a visible TV an eyesore and opt for creative ways to conceal it, while others embrace it as a key element of the room.
The good news? There are numerous strategies to seamlessly integrate a TV into your living room design.
From clever paint choices to smart furniture arrangements, these ideas can make your TV blend beautifully with the rest of your decor.
Here are 20 inspiring designer solutions for incorporating a TV into a small living room without sacrificing style.
1. Blend the TV into the Wall
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Paint the wall behind your TV black or a dark shade to help it recede into the background. For instance, Sissy + Marley paired a jet-black wall with a sleek black console and dark floors, creating a subtle, modern look.
2. Opt for Dark Paint
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If black feels too bold, consider deep shades of brown, navy, or green. Brexton Cole Interiors used a navy-painted shiplap wall to minimize the visual impact of a flat-screen TV while adding sophistication.
3. Use a Frame TV
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A Frame TV doubles as decor by displaying artwork when not in use.
4. Incorporate a Wall Niche
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Embed your TV into the wall for a streamlined look.
5. Offset the TV
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In rooms where wall space is limited, hang the TV off-center. Emily Henderson placed a TV beside a fireplace on dark wood paneling, achieving balance without making the screen the focal point.
6. Decorate the Opposite Wall
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In a small room, counterbalance the TV with art on the opposite wall. Paired a flat-screen with a larger artwork, maintaining an art-focused aesthetic.
7. Surround with Bookshelves
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Integrating a TV into a bookshelf wall helps it blend into the room. Studio Peake designed custom built-ins with a niche for the TV, surrounded by books and decor.
8. Add Black Accents
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Avoid making your TV the only black item in the room. Jenn Pablo Studio incorporated a black TV alongside a matching firebox and a dark lamp, tying the design together.
9. Backlight Built-Ins
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Install backlighting around shelving to reduce the TV’s dominance. Kendall Wilkinson Design surrounded a TV with softly lit built-ins, creating a balanced and inviting ambiance.
10. Layer with a Niche and Decor
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Create a visually engaging TV wall with built-in cabinetry and open shelving. Laura Brophy Interiors used patterned wallpaper behind the TV for added depth and interest.
11. Use Bold Colors
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A bold color scheme can divert attention from the TV. Heather Hilliard Design used red and navy accents to make the TV fade into the background.
12. Proportional Placement
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Ensure the TV fits proportionally within its surroundings. Jessica Nelson Design chose a screen that perfectly suited the mantel’s size, maintaining visual harmony.
13. Frame the TV
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Add an ornate frame around the TV, as Liz Marie Blog did, transforming it into a decorative focal point that complements seasonal decor.
14. Install Graphic Wallpaper
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Distract from the TV with striking wallpaper. Forbes + Masters paired a bold wall with a floating console, styling the space with books and decor for balance.
15. Introduce Wall Texture
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Textured walls behind the TV add interest. Laura Brophy Interiors used black wood slats for a sleek, modern touch in a Southern California living room.
16. Keep It Minimal
For simplicity, pair the TV with a warm console and offset it with colorful decor on the opposite wall, as Cathie Hong Interiors demonstrates.
17. Color Block the Wall
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Create a color-blocked TV wall, like Laura Brophy Interiors, where a black-and-white palette integrates the TV into the room’s architecture.
18. Flank with Sconces
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Install sconces on either side of the TV for ambient light and balance. Studio-Surface paired a wall-mounted TV with minimalist sconces in a cozy California space.
19. Use a Thin Frame
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Mindy Gayer Design Co. added a thin frame around a wall-mounted TV, complementing built-ins painted in soothing blue to draw the eye.
20. Surround with Built-Ins
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White Sands Design Build created a cozy TV wall by incorporating the screen into a built-in unit with shelving, books, and decor objects.
