Where Do I Put The TV?!

One of the challenges we often come across in designing spaces for clients is where to put the TV. In older homes especially, the living room is set up to face a fireplace, which is not always ideal for the TV. Some homes are designed with competing focal points, and thoughtful furniture placement is vital.

Here are some tips for placing your TV in a spot that allows for comfortable viewing:

If you would like to have one focal point and mount your TV over the fireplace, make sure you know the required distance from the firebox. If mounted too close to a heat source, it could damage your device. Another consideration is viewing height. If your television must be mounted above an already high mantel, it can be uncomfortable to watch. Looking up for a 2 hour movie will strain your neck, or you will be forced to scrunch down into a painful position for your back. Reclining furniture can be a solution, although not everyone appreciates them. A few of our vendors have some good looking options though!

Adding built-ins to the right or left of your fireplace will allow you to position your TV on the same wall, but at a lower, more appropriate height. If you like symmetry, a similar sized opening on the opposite side can be designed for art, so that each side of your fireplace has a large center object. This could also be achieved with 2-3 art pieces and some decorative objects. Use matching base cabinets or drawers on both for continuity and balance.

What if you must place the TV on a wall adjacent to the fireplace wall? Consider furniture placement that offers seating facing both areas. If you like watching TV from a sofa, then a sectional may be your best choice. A collection of chairs, ottomans and a long sofa can offer multiple views in the room. Add a large cocktail table to unify the space. Be sure to consider how you will enter the seating area. Leave space for traffic patterns so you don't have to walk all the way around your seating area to get into the space.

While TV placement can sometimes be a challenge, these tips should help you find a solution that works. Bring on movie night!