One of the best parts of fall is cozying up in the family room to watch a big football game on a chilly weekend afternoon.

With everyone gathered together and all eyes trained on the TV, it’s a perfect time to consider: where is the best place for that all-important piece of electronics to go?

Deciding where to place the TV can seem like you must choose between having either a well-designed, beautiful room or a space where the TV is king and the design comes second.

But it doesn’t have to be one or the other. Here’s a round-up of ways to make your TV blend seamlessly into your room, so that you can curl up and watch the TV comfortably AND in style.

Built-ins

This first idea may be the most costly, but it has several advantages. A large built-in on the room’s dominant wall allows the TV to be nearly eye level, the components and extras like DVDs hidden in drawers or baskets on other shelves, and still allows plenty of space around it for other décor pieces, such as frames or accessories. If you have an underutilized corner, you can consider a corner built-in unit, arrange your furniture around a different focal point such as a fireplace, but still have the ability to also see the TV in the corner. If you have built-ins around your fireplace, and don’t want the TV above the mantel, you can always choose one of the built-ins flanking the fireplace to place the TV.

Fireplace

Right above the mantel is a popular choice for many homeowners who see it as a way to put their TV right above the traditional focal point of the room. There is a major drawback, however. Placing it above the fireplace typically means your TV will be higher than what many experts recommend, which is eye level when seated. You should always check with the manufacturer to make sure it’s safe to put your TV above the fireplace’s heat as well.

Gallery Wall

If you’d like to really incorporate your TV into your décor, considering adding it as yet another square shape to a wall full of your favorite art in frames.  I had a client that mounted their TV and built molding around it so it looked like a picture frame. Hang several different pieces of art in an eclectic grouping and then add your TV to the mix. It will blend in as another square, but will give other décor a chance to shine.

Hide the wires

“Though wall-mounting a flat screen is all the rage, there's still a whole lot of design mileage to be had from placing your TV on a great-looking entertainment center,” according to an article on bhg.com. “Here’s where you can get creative, too: Consider adding a new coat of paint and some custom holes to snake out the wires on a thrift-store dresser, armoire, or vintage metal gym lockers. It's a custom look, and the ultimate form of recycling.”

If you prefer that wall-mounted look, there is still the issue of all the wires associated with all the gadgets. There’s always the option of opening the wall to hide the jungle of wires. But there are simpler alternatives. You can purchase woven baskets with a wide weave, poke the wires through the basket and into the outlet.

Hide the TV altogether 

Maybe you don’t watch much TV or really can’t stand the look of it front and center. There are some clever ways to disguise it until you need a TV fix. You can recess it into the wall, then place a photo or art on a hinge in front, allowing it to only appear when it’s time to watch.

There is another consideration when thinking about the best spot for your TV – how large should your TV be and how much space should you allow around it? Answers vary and of course, depend on how big the room is, whether you’re watching in high definition, your budget, and your personal taste. Here are some guidelines for the optimum distance between the viewer and TV, according to Houzz.com: 6" screen = 3 to 5.5 feet; 32" screen = 4 to 6.5 feet; 37" screen = 4.5 to 7.5 feet; 40" screen = 5 to 8.5 feet; 46" screen = 6 to 9.5 feet; 52" screen = 6.5 to 11 feet; 58" screen = 7 to 12 feet; 65" screen = 8 to 13.5 feet; 70" screen = 9 to 15 feet.

Whether you prefer to camouflage your TV or allow it to be front and center, these tips should help you enjoy many cozy evenings watching your favorite team or TV show in style. And if you’d like to discuss preparing your home for the market or are starting the search for a new one, please give us a call at (630)232-0021.