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21 Small Living Rooms With TVs That Actually Look Good

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

small living room tv
Design by Sissy + Marley / Photo by Marco Ricca Studio

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

small living room tv
Brexton Cole Interiors

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

small living room tv
Liz Marie Blog

A Frame TV doubles as decor by displaying artwork when not in use.


4. Incorporate a Wall Niche

small living room tv
Design by Ghislaine Vinas / Art Gray Photography

Embed your TV into the wall for a streamlined look.


5. Offset the TV

small living room tv
Design by Emily Henderson and Priscilla Frost / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

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

small living room tv
Heather Hilliard Design / Photo by David Duncan Livingston

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

small living room tv
Studio Peake

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

small living room tv
Jenn Pablo Studio

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

small living room tv
Kendall Wilkinson Design

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

small living room tv
Laura Brophy Interiors

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

small living room tv
Heather Hilliard Design / Michele Lee Willson Photography

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

small living room with tv
Jessica Nelson Design / Carina Skrobecki Photography

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

small living room tv
Liz Marie Blog

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

small living room tv
Forbes + Masters

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

small living room tv
Laura Brophy Interiors

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

small living room tv
Design by Cathie Hong Interiors / Margaret Austin Photo

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

small living room tv
Laura Brophy Interiors

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

small living room tv
Design by Studio-Surface / Photo by Jenny Siegwart

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

small living room tv
Mindy Gayer Design Co.

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

small living room tv
White Sands Design Build

White Sands Design Build created a cozy TV wall by incorporating the screen into a built-in unit with shelving, books, and decor objects.

Small Living Rooms With TVs