The TV is this great example of designers in denial, showing us beautiful rooms we can never have because they essentially require a total lifestyle overhaul. The TV-less living room has long been one. The "office" with the uncomfortable stool and ineffective "desk" that never seems to house more than a laptop and some paper (for writing on?!) is another I could do with seeing a lot less of. So thanks for taking TVs seriously! Though, as a console gamer since childhood, I still feel like I'll never truly be able to take advantage of these techniques to minimize the ugliness of the media center. Running cables elegantly to an outlet isn't quite the same when you've got a surge protector with 10 things plugged into it. =) Sadly gaming culture doesn't really put any effort or concern into design anyway. This is the community that thinks dozens of pulsing LED lights and harsh angular boxes look good. Maybe I should just embrace the ugly. =(
Yesss I hate those fake designer spaces that don’t actually work for real life, especially the offices. The desk is usually in the middle of the room over a rug so how are you plugging anything in? Even if you had a floor outlet like they have in some libraries, you’d need to cut a hole in the expensive rug to route a cable through. Just stop lying to me already, nobody will ever use a space like that
"Running cables elegantly to an outlet isn't quite the same when you've got a surge protector with 10 things plugged into it. =)" Yes! There really is no way I can find to make a media center look attractive. The only solution I've found is closing the door lol.
Yes! Thank you! I've been so tired of these aesthetic living rooms and office. They are now where near practical! Especially office room inspos. They are either a desk with a book with may be space for a puny Mac book or gamer boy setup. 🤦🏻♀️
For cord covers, a tip is to route it to the side instead of making it come down the middle. Then you can put a decor item in front of it like a plant or something.
I don't know why people are convinced TVs are "ugly" -- there are many sleek looking TVs nowadays, and I really don't mind it being a focal point. Of course, you'll need to embrace your living room as a TV room as well, but in real every day life, it's easily done. Dealing with the wires, cables and cords is really what makes a difference.
I think the colour doesn't help. If you choose light colours for your space, the black box will stick out like a sore thumb. I don't have any black in my decoration, so the TV disturbs the whole feel.
Its kind of the only reason i spend time in the tv room so yeah... no point hiding it on purpose. Gatherings in my house do not take place in living rooms either unless its for the sole purpose of watching something together. Good tips nevertheless though
Am I the only one who DOESN'T mind the plain black boxes on the wall?!?! They really don't bother me. What bothers me more is when the TV is too big or small for the room/wall. Also the unmanaged cables, that's an interior design boner killer.
@@Nick_Lewis Just the surface you project on has to be white, so I painted the walls and got a screen. The edges of the screen fade into the wall and it looks like a movie theater, but cozy. When I'm not using it, it goes up and lets light in from a window, so it serves as both prijection surface and blackout blind 🙃
A dark wall…. What an affordable, simple yet effective idea!!! My boyfriend put a MASSIVE tv in our tiny living room and it really dominates the space.
I’ve just painted my living room a deep woodsmoke blue..the telly really does have a lot less visual impact with the dark colour behind it, I can totally recommend.
No one notices my ugly TV because I had my Victorian piano disassembled and made into a corner cabinet. The TV sits on top. This ridiculous massive burled walnut with filigree and fancy turned corbels has all the pieces of the piano case that was made in 1857. It opens up to contain the sound board, the DVD player and the subwoofer is hidden behind where the foot petals were. It is an amazing (if unusual).
Love this! My boyfriend has a 70” tv that is his pride and joy. He was not budging on getting rid of it. So I decided to tile the wall with black slate and it looks so nice! He loves it as well.
I’m so glad you’re doing this, I don’t think I’ve ever seen good tips on styling a TV other than, “Put it in a cabinet and close the doors.” But what if we want it to look good while we’re watching it? I mean, the point of a TV is to watch it, and I want it to look halfway nice all the time.
I also have the Samsung Frame and I'm never looking back. You can also buy a Chromecast to your existing TV so it always shows a curated fancy picture, but the advantages of the Frame is really the form, it really looks like a picture frame.
@@koalaeucalyptus exactly, framing TVs is something people do. TVs aesthetics tend to age like your 6th grade sunglasses, you feel so cool when you buy them, but a few years later they look hideous.
Another idea...a friend hooked her tv to a laptop and made the tv rotating art using a screen saver. She even took a picture of the plain wall so the screen would "blend in". I thought this was such a great idea.
It is! There are even hours-long videos here on CZcams that simply have color gradient changing screens (with no audio, I think). So a few free video options too.
We have a smart TV so it connects to Google home and loops through our family photos when it's in screensaver mode. I love it, it's a giant rotating photo canvas.
Hooking up to a laptop to do that isn't the best option. She could just get something like a Chromecast or an Amazon fire TV stick and use screensavers with those. They use way less power and are a neater solution
In my previous house, we had a 65" and the walls were very beige. We mounted the tv but the wires were super ugly. So I went even cheaper. I went and bought a piece of beige fabric that matched my wall. I used the sticky double tape, taped the fabric under the bottom and behind the tv, and let the rest drip. My husband was so confused as to how I hid the wires and then he was like "Holy crap!" Aha. That's how I hide all my wires around my desk too since the length of the desk is open against the wall. Matching fabric and just cutting it to the size desired. Double tape and problem solved. The fabric isn't touching the wires so everything is safe. It just "hides" it and it makes it look seamless.
Yes, I’m an interior designer that despises TVs getting such prominence in a room. Placing above a mantle sends me into orbit. I created a shallow box to surround the TV with 4 bifold flat doors and used a moderately priced oil painting, divided it into 4 sections and had it applied to the doors. Results were a beautiful painting showcased when the TV wasn’t in use. 👏👏👏
How could you manage to place it to the right height? I just planned the same, but a painting looks awfully low to hang on a height where a TV would be comfortable to watch.
@@ang1795no such thing as too low when it comes to hanging art. I've seen someone place art right below the windows; maybe 2 inches above the baseboards. As long as it looks intentional, you can put it anywhere
I bought wooden frames with canvas- prints of Monet s pictures, because he is my favourite artist! I have one for every season....It looks like just a picture on a nice, almost antique coffeetable against one wall...and when I want to watch, I put the picture behind the TV, which is easy, because they are leightweight!!!They are 120 cm wide, and 80 cm high. That s enough for me.
Love the video as always. For those of us with auditory sensitivity issues, the busy background music in this one made it really hard for me to hear you though.
The black/dark wall is FLIPPIN GENUIS and so simple!! I’m a little torn bc mine is hung over the fireplace and I really wanted to paint the fireplace black, if I do the fireplace and the wall black I don’t think the fireplace will be quite as much of a statement. It’s a brain scratcher.
For a renter friendly option - I recommend just throwing a patterned throw over the tv. Its helps with the dust and you can easily blend it with the rest of your design / colour palette! For a bonus I hung a gallery wall around it to make it an almost intentional addition/ design.
Yes. Please respect the landlords property regarding TV's. One of my renters drilled these giant holes into my PLASTER walls (house built in 1927) to hang a TV without asking for my permission. Bye-bye deposit!
My mom sews covers for all her "ugly boxes," including her TV. TVs are just rectangles these days, so constructing a pattern couldn't be easier. Two side seams and you're done.
I love that you cover this practical topic, Nick!! We have 75" TV and our living room is 4.5 X 4.5! (UK homes are smaller lol) I might try painting a wall next time we move... although between homes being smaller in the UK and me being Korean and love buying bigger gadgets, I can't seem to find an ideal arrangement as yet. Lol
I'm sorry, but I'm trying to visualize your situation and your numbers don't seem right. To fit 75" (diagonal) TV on a 54" long wall, the height of the TV would have to be at least 52"--a square TV, which I guess is possible, but I've never seen one. Are your numbers metric, like a 75cm TV, or a 4.5m wall? And a 4.5' x 4.5' room is very small, like a washroom. Where do you sit? I'm not trying to be mean--I just can't figure it out.
@@lesleythompson6801 Just spotted it! Thanks for pointing out! My TV takes up 70 % of an entire wall in my living room, and it feels a bit daunting. However together with a sounbar, it is a tatally different experience. (Even with Netflix)
Yet another option: we bought some really cool fabric when we were in Argentina and we made curtains to cover the TV. They just slide open when we want to watch.
I switched to a projector 2yrs ago and will never go back to an ugly tv. It’s so versatile, zoom in for normal tv and zoom out for the full cinema effects 👍
My husband and I got a new TV a couple of years ago. I really wanted The Frame for the very reasons you mentioned but it was an additional $1,000.😵 We ended up going for the "big black box", but we ran all the cables through the wall which was actually really easy and inexpensive. It makes a world of a difference to hid all those unsightly cables. Looks so much nicer.🙂
I feel like the only person who likes the look of flat screen TV's. Maybe it's because I'm into technology in general, but I like seeing folks electronics on display. That said, beautiful cord management is a must. I like the look of an electric box where the electrician expertly organized the wires so you know which is which. I like to do that with my cords, so if there is an issue, I can easy find the cable I need to do a bit of troubleshooting.
Before we moved into our home the previous owners were doing some renovation on the wall we planned to mount our TV. We kindly asked them if they could put an outlet up where we'd mount the TV. They were kind of to do that and add a pass through to the bottom of the wall as well as another outlet down there. It's worked out great. Definitely think add in the pass through is worth it, especially if you're going to be doing work/paint on that wall anyway.
I am going with a dark wall behind the TV and red accent wall, on the opposite side with old movie posters, and other types of posters in the same category, to give this throwback, retro theater feel to the space. I am super excited. I've always loved retro designs and retro style. So I am trying to combine retro design in a contemporary way.
Nick, you are a mind-reader. I am in the middle of renovation and my home is now in light natural colors, transitional style. My boyfriend wants a big, black TV in the middle of the living room. I agreed but it is in total contrast with all the colors and the style of everything else in the room. Thank you for the tips and the affirmation that TVs are problematic.
Ha ha. Thanks for pre-emptively addressing the anti-TV virtue signalers out there! Another Ha ha for the barn doors comment! I have a TV but barely watch it because I use it to lull me to sleep. It takes me 3 days to watch a movie because I fall asleep 30 minutes into it. That being said, I still want a TV but I do dislike the look of them. I appreciate you giving me ideas. i love the dark paint idea!
I have a weird corner focal wall thing with a fake fireplace insert that didn't work. I took the fireplace out, painted the wall black, set the TV in front of the hole that was created to cover it up, and stuffed all the wires inside the hole. My TV completely disappeared. I was happy to see my solution was covered by your first suggestion.
Thank you for these suggestions! We really don’t like the look of the TV and have tried different things, but ended up covering it with an antique Bolivian weaving and it actually doesn’t look too bad!
A new trend I’ve noticed is to simply put the tv on an easel, as if it were a painting. This is more for spaces where the tv is not the focal point of the room and allows it to be more in the corner (like beside a fireplace)
@@hannahj489 I think he means the big, heavy rolling easels that hold the TV vertically and not leaned. I believe my school had those in every room to hang the occasional map or so and they were stupid children proof. The Sorry Girls made one (and screwed it in a rack into the easel) for their office and it looks really cool and sturdy.
@@mirabellegoldapfel6256 no, I actually did mean the kind that lean. Definitely seems precarious and certainly not child safe lol. Unless you somehow mounted the tv to the easel
Alternative to plastic cord covers: carve a channel into the back of wall molding to route the wires through it. That way it's a feature of its own instead of one lonely post
Just to add for hiding the wires. On top of using cable covers, just use a decor piece to hide it. If you place your TV correctly (not too high) then it’d be low just above the console. Perfect height to place a strategically placed vase or sculpture to hide that strip of wire cover.
TheSorryGirls have a great video in how to build a TV frame and make it look like these artwork TVs. Way cheaper and better for the environment, check that out if you are crafty!
I bought the flattest tv I could find, probably 10 years ago, and hung a modern quilt over it-you’d never know. My husband wanted a tv in the living room and I didn’t, so this was our compromise 😊.
My husband and I are in the middle of this dilemma... our main issue is that we live in a rental and can't hang anything on the walls or paint them. Otherwise we would just get the Frame. The house came semi-furnished, including a TV on a TV bench in the living room. We both hate it. We don't like living rooms centered around TV's but for the time being we need to make it work (in our previous home we had a family room/TV room and a separate more formal living room). We have very few options for placement due to windows, doors and radiators. I've been researching and brainstorming possible solutions for weeks. I'm trying to convince him to just move the TV and bench down to the storage room in the basement and get a projector that we can place on the coffee table only when we want to watch TV.
I’m doing a wood slatted wall behind the TV. It won’t be as camouflaged as a black wall, but the medium-dark stain and black background paint should help minimize the contrast and make it a fun feature!
My sister had a flat panel TV installed on a wall in her finished basement. The cabling was left trailing from the TV to the floor. I suggested installing a fake accent wall. We bought a 4x8 panel of beadboard, some wood moulding strips, glue, and white paint. Because of the way the TV wall bracket is constructed, there is about 6 inches of space between the back of the TV and the basement wall. The bottom of the beadboard rests on the floor. The beadboard is positioned within a few inches of the wall and behind the TV panel. It is rigid enough to remain free standing. We glued moulding strips to the edges of the beadboard to help prevent bowing and to create a finished edge. If the board decided to lean, we could wedge some lightweight polyurethane foam, between the wall and TV. We did make cut outs in the beadboard panel to accomodate the TV bracket and provide easy access to the wall outlet (which hides behind a low cabinet). The finished result gives the appearance of a beadboard accent wall on which a TV is installed. The unsightly cables are hidden. The fake wall is not anchored to anything and can be easily removed as if it never existed.
Few more suggestions to TV problem- If you have the google chromecast or fire TV, they do provide some really cool pictures to be displayed on your TV when not in use from their picture gallery that you can customize. It may not be as elegant as frame tvs but it’s better than black box on the wall and much cheaper way to incorporate. I know Nick hates DIY but you can also build a frame custom for your TV to make it look like a frame TV. You can also put led strips behind your TV that matches what’s displayed on your tv and extends the color. For a designer that may not be very appealing but it looks better than plane black screen when you have picture displayed on screen with extended light sometimes that working as mood lighting. Lastly this mostly you need to do it while building the home but if you run the HDMI ARC cable and IR repeater cables from your living room tv to say coat closet, you can put your whole media console hidden in the coat closet with all wiring running inside the closet removing the need to hide the modern day wiring problem rather moving it to different place. Additionally while running cables for your speakers across your living room try to run it as close to your baseboard as possible as hopefully some furniture pieces will try to hide it, you won’t need to paint the cable covers as white is mostly standard and cable management is easier that way. Hopefully this helps!
I used the dark wall trick and it does make a big difference. The TV is visible, of course, but it doesn't jump at you like it did against a light coloured wall.
I own a TV (it's mounted on the wall) and I use it mostly for a livestream of a fireplace on CZcams for my Hygge feeling, when I'm working at the Laptop^^ - It has an ugly transparent big leg right down the middle for the standing foot, which I can't remove. I have hidden it with a piece of decoration. - I can't open my wall, since it is made of concrete, tho. I'm using a cable runway to hide the cables, which is also mounted on the wall.
I've used a low cost projector for years now. It just projects onto a white wall, works amazingly well. Attach a chromecast or whatever and you are sorted.
You just have to *whisper* paint and I'm excited! I love an accent wall! Agreed on cord management. I got a cheap white one and even just bundling them made a world of difference.
The last time anyone used the television my family was about 2 years ago. We use our laptops to watch television programs, netflix, youtube etc. I'd love to get rid of our television, but the others want to keep it, despite not actually using it! It sits on a shelf in a bookcase (shelves at the top, and cupboard doors at the bottom. The bookcase is a very dark wood. This means the television is pretty camouflaged. Lots of people don't realise we have a television.
It seems like everyone in the US is mounting the Tv too high. You are supposed to have a straight view towards the tv when sitting down on the couch. Id you have to tilt your neck to watch you have mounted it too high.
Lol accidentally stumbled on an idea that worked great in my small space: during the joys of working from home I had set up a small office nook in the corner of my lounge room, that’s when I figured out monitors can not only come with better definition (thankyou gaming industry), a greater range of housing covers, the same capabilities, and are lighter than my previous tv. I ended up spending a few dollars at IKEA to put roller wheels on my desk and now I just slide it the two meters when I want to chill out on the couch lol. Not sure it’s a viable option for everyone but definitely agree that while having a display looks cute in an office nook, my lounge area looks way better without it permanently there
I don;t have a TV but I have a friend who put the TV (that big black blank space) in front of that other big black blank space (the fireplace opening). It's on a very low, plain wheeled tray they had and can easily be moved when they have a fire or entertain. It looks great. And yes, hide the wires!! What is up with those people who don't see all those wires?
Great advice, as always! I wholeheartedly agree on the cord covers. My bedroom tv had several cords hanging down, and it gave me anxiety every time I looked at it. I finally grabbed some covers, and bam! 15 minutes later, including the time to paint the strip, no more visible cords! One small change made a huge difference.
I agree wires are unsightly. There are many ways to conceal them. Some companies like Samsung make a box from which only one wire connects. You could also lessen the distance the wires have to travel with a taller tv console under it. I find wires multiply at my TVs bc of Nintendo, x box, wifi plug ins, hi-defe cables to connect your laptop to your computer to watch laptop programs on your big screen. I Like that for zoom. So I think the best thing to do is not try to corral all your wires in some wire hider. Instead find ways to put things under the tv to hide them and always leave easy access to unplug and add cables. I thought about darker walls too. But I think to go that dark in a main room is not a good idea. I have the Samsung frame tv. It’s a great option. I put Artwork I upload myself for free on it when it’s off. You could put your child’s artwork your artwork or artwork from your phone of major artworks at any museum you have visited. Just looking at artwork is meditative. Thank you😊 Nick for covering this important design issue.
The “old” TV cabinet is something I never got rid of and don’t regret it. A TV that is always in is the same as an Alexa always being on IMHO. The frame is just further enticement to always have it On and in plain view.
Cord covers really are the single best upgrade as far as bang for the buck. They make SUCH a difference. Especially for us because our television (for gaming more than shows) is wall mounted.
I think I prefer the TV on the light wall to be honest, on the dark wall it looks creepy and ominous. Out of all the options, that was my preference as the others are too cumbersome. I agree with hiding the wires though, if that's a possibility. Another option is a projector TV.
I know Nick dislikes most DIYs, so that might be why he skipped the option of building a frame (or having someone else build a frame) for your TV. But there's several CZcams tutorials on how to build certain wooden frames, and I really like that idea, because then you can stain or paint (or even decoupage) the frame to match your other decor. Then, as someone mentioned already in the comment section, you can load up a picturesque screensaver from wherever (including video screensavers/scenes from right here on CZcams), and there you go! A TV that goes with your style and also acts as an art piece when not in actual use for shows and movies.
Yesss! Samsung the frame represent! This was the compromise for my partner and I - he wanted a big TV and I wanted no TV.. So we settled on a TV that adds to the space rather than one that takes from it. They are more expensive for a tv, but it's actually pretty standard price for an artwork of that size.. And given you can change the artwork, gives more freedom to change your colour scheme in your room.
My friend had an older-style projector TV in the early 2000s. I loved the huge picture on an entire wall. I don't watch much TV so we just have a portable set, but if I did watch a lot of movies or sports events or had several people watching, I'd definitely consider a projection TV.
In my opinion, the best way to work with the TV is to keep it simple. Hiding the wires of course, but I find the framing and other solutions a bit too much. Also, hanging a tv over the fireplace is something I do not get...why people do that? I think it is too high and not confortable to watch, too close to a heating point which is bad for electronics and it does not look good, in my opinion.
Good tips! I have read that a smart TV can use an app to do what a Frame does. We always had our set (now we just use a laptop) in a base cabinet of a wall-to-wall bookcase that wraps around a large window. The kids were homeschooled and did some classes by video, so it was in use every day - and was never a problem. The doors open flat, so they are really never a problem.
The frame has frames too it as well and are designed to sit flush against the wall but yes the screensaver art stuff is doable but not recommended if you have an oled but I'm guessing you don't
Informative and entertaining, as always! I'm one of those people who loves books, NPR, and my TV.😆 But I don't love that it's my feature wall! (My husband went a bit bonkers last black Friday.) So I very much appreciate these suggestions!
I have mine in a beautiful armoire with a beautiful mysterious dark arched space. I love it and I use the arch theme (Very subtle more like curved headers that repeat in the other funiture pieces and adjacent mirror).
I’m a designer who works with televisions as the focal point of a room. I personally have one TV and it is used in our living room. Most of my clients do too.
My living room is painted black. I have three floor to ceiling windows and plenty of light coming in. It is a light and airy room but at the same time cozy. The TV indeed blends to the wall and it doesn´t stick out that much.
I like the idea of painting the wall behind a tv dark! Wondering what ideas you have to address walls with differing heights due to a vaulted ceiling. I have a room with a vaulted ceiling causing one very tall wall on one side, and a shorter wall on the other. Thanks for the great content!
omg so glad for the tv on a black wall suggestion! I had decided to paint my TV wall a charcoal color just for the decor.... so happy now you have cemented the idea with realizing the fact that it mimizes the tv.
I wanted those framed tvs they are so pretty and yes they have come down in price but they are not lets say "affordable " unless there is some off brand aliexpress version idk about. The problem was I wanted to go that route and use it as a sort of art piece when we were not actively using it but there are tvs out there with so much better quality for cheaper. (I am an avid movie watcher I love 4k so this was important to me) my solution after I had exhausted every possibility to camouflage an 82 inch tv was to just accept it. They are part of out lives for better or worse and we are already living in a version of Fahrenheit 451 anyway so...there you go lol
In my last home (about 7 years ago) I painted the wall behind my tv black. During my Reno of my vacation property I had them move the receptacle up behind the tv.
Painting a wall behind the television a dark color really would be the easiest way to hide a television when not in use, and it would also be the easiest way to make a change later if you decide you want the television in another space or you are moving and can't leave the wall black/dark--just repaint, and it's done. And with the fast speed of changing technology, remember if you have an outlet installed behind your television to hide the cords/cables, you will have an outlet out in the open at an odd height when you no longer need/want the television mounted to the wall. Thanks to the former owner of my home, I have an electrical outlet and a cable outlet high on the wall in the master bedroom near where they placed a wall-mounted television. I spent a lot of time fixing the wall damage created by their removing the wall bracket, but I had to find a piece of art to hang over the electrical and cable outlets so they are hidden. No wall-mounted televisions for me. I don't have any of the giant-sized televisions, but my largest television in my family room sits on top of a marble-topped bedroom dresser. The cords and cables are out of sight behind the dresser, and I store old videos, CDs, DVDs, etc. in the drawers.
Great video, thank you! That John Singer Sargent painting is one of my favourites so I’m considering getting a frame TV just so I can do that! What a great idea. I also like the dark wall idea but I suspect my husband wouldn’t like that as he’s all about the off white!! 😄
You mentioned hiding wires in walls. I'd like to know if you've had experience doing that with plaster and Lathe walls and how it was done. Also, anything you'd like to add about plaster and lathe walls and best ways to hang things on them, etc. Thank you for your videos. You are kind while still giving your best opinion. I appreciate your guidance!
A painting on canvas with two felt covered L-brackets on the back hangs nicely over a flat screen TV. I know that’s too DIY for Nick but something for others to try. 😂
I have only one dark red wall in the entire apartment and this is where I put my TV. It was never intentional, but I didn´t mind it as much there and now I know why. thanks^^
In my bedroom my television sits in a corner on a wrought iron art easel. In my den it sits atop a black antique tea cart/bar and in my living room I have it mounted to the wall but I have a Persian rug that is hung from the ceiling on a rod that I roll down when company is coming.
Lmao on the bit about someone getting rid of their TV in 1976. Yeah no, me and my partner love Netflix and watching our true crime shows. Not giving that up for the sake of aesthetics.
I literally propped an original oil painting in front of my tv in the bedroom. I don’t watch tv that much in bed so it’s not a big deal to move it every so often. I’m planning on painting the wall behind the 80” television in my family room Tricorn Black by SW.
I’ve had the Samsung Frame for about 2 years and love it!! I got the white frame for it and have gray walls with white fireplace/mantle. Wires are hidden and it looks so good!! I find landscapes or neutral Frame Art looks the most natural in the wall; like an actual painting. I love bold abstract art but it looks a little more like TV when I use those so I just avoid it.
THIS.EPISODE.IS.FANTASTIC...!! Most of us have a t.v. in one of our rooms. So many wonderful solutions for making them look less pedestrian. Thank you! 😘❤
Put it on a dark wall ☑️😁. Just painted the walls of my husband's Oilers themed man cave. (He stole the small dining room/den at the front of our house) I used Beauti-tone Power Hitter (navy shade) for a play on the new jersey and the stripe of colour on the perimeter of the ceiling is orange. 😖 I would have liked a craft room but the navy walls make for a great adult home theater room. 🤷♀️
Hi Nick---I'm that obnoxious NPR person---never owned one---but I have a laptop to watch you on CZcams! Here's a solution I have seen in tiny house videos. They conceal the TV behind a piece of furniture and there's a motor that raises it up when they want to watch it. One tiny house had it up in the loft bedroom, behind the cupboard where they kept their clothes. Push a button, and this giant TV rises up from behind the cabinet. I thought it was a cool solution for a small space.
The TV is this great example of designers in denial, showing us beautiful rooms we can never have because they essentially require a total lifestyle overhaul. The TV-less living room has long been one. The "office" with the uncomfortable stool and ineffective "desk" that never seems to house more than a laptop and some paper (for writing on?!) is another I could do with seeing a lot less of. So thanks for taking TVs seriously! Though, as a console gamer since childhood, I still feel like I'll never truly be able to take advantage of these techniques to minimize the ugliness of the media center.
Running cables elegantly to an outlet isn't quite the same when you've got a surge protector with 10 things plugged into it. =)
Sadly gaming culture doesn't really put any effort or concern into design anyway. This is the community that thinks dozens of pulsing LED lights and harsh angular boxes look good. Maybe I should just embrace the ugly. =(
Yes I guess we shouldn't fret so much about certain things that ultimately don't take the joy out of our lives. I certainly don't.
Yesss I hate those fake designer spaces that don’t actually work for real life, especially the offices. The desk is usually in the middle of the room over a rug so how are you plugging anything in? Even if you had a floor outlet like they have in some libraries, you’d need to cut a hole in the expensive rug to route a cable through. Just stop lying to me already, nobody will ever use a space like that
"Running cables elegantly to an outlet isn't quite the same when you've got a surge protector with 10 things plugged into it. =)"
Yes! There really is no way I can find to make a media center look attractive. The only solution I've found is closing the door lol.
Yes! Thank you! I've been so tired of these aesthetic living rooms and office. They are now where near practical! Especially office room inspos. They are either a desk with a book with may be space for a puny Mac book or gamer boy setup. 🤦🏻♀️
I have these pulsing LEDs. It is a solution because it distract you from looking at other ugly things lol.
For cord covers, a tip is to route it to the side instead of making it come down the middle. Then you can put a decor item in front of it like a plant or something.
I don't know why people are convinced TVs are "ugly" -- there are many sleek looking TVs nowadays, and I really don't mind it being a focal point. Of course, you'll need to embrace your living room as a TV room as well, but in real every day life, it's easily done. Dealing with the wires, cables and cords is really what makes a difference.
I think the colour doesn't help. If you choose light colours for your space, the black box will stick out like a sore thumb. I don't have any black in my decoration, so the TV disturbs the whole feel.
Like that Frame TV set.
Agree. I think TVs look fine, especially these days. 🤷🏾♀️
I agree. I don't mind the look of modern TV's at all.
Its kind of the only reason i spend time in the tv room so yeah... no point hiding it on purpose. Gatherings in my house do not take place in living rooms either unless its for the sole purpose of watching something together.
Good tips nevertheless though
Am I the only one who DOESN'T mind the plain black boxes on the wall?!?! They really don't bother me. What bothers me more is when the TV is too big or small for the room/wall. Also the unmanaged cables, that's an interior design boner killer.
Nick. THIS is what sets you apart. I am so happy to see this addressed finally. Thank you!
Gotta keep it real around here!
Yes, he's into aesthetics *and* practicability (is that a word?).
@@FrogeniusW.G."Practicality."
For real…hate those people that say not to have a tv…sorry I love tv sue me
Just painted my whole “projector space” dark green, almost black, and it honestly looks amazing
I thought they needed to be white walls for a projector!? Need more info!
@@Nick_Lewis Just the surface you project on has to be white, so I painted the walls and got a screen. The edges of the screen fade into the wall and it looks like a movie theater, but cozy. When I'm not using it, it goes up and lets light in from a window, so it serves as both prijection surface and blackout blind 🙃
I luv that look 👀
A dark wall…. What an affordable, simple yet effective idea!!!
My boyfriend put a MASSIVE tv in our tiny living room and it really dominates the space.
Boys and their tvs lol
I’ve just painted my living room a deep woodsmoke blue..the telly really does have a lot less visual impact with the dark colour behind it, I can totally recommend.
No one notices my ugly TV because I had my Victorian piano disassembled and made into a corner cabinet. The TV sits on top. This ridiculous massive burled walnut with filigree and fancy turned corbels has all the pieces of the piano case that was made in 1857. It opens up to contain the sound board, the DVD player and the subwoofer is hidden behind where the foot petals were. It is an amazing (if unusual).
Man,, I wish I could see that!
Love this! My boyfriend has a 70” tv that is his pride and joy. He was not budging on getting rid of it. So I decided to tile the wall with black slate and it looks so nice! He loves it as well.
I’m so glad you’re doing this, I don’t think I’ve ever seen good tips on styling a TV other than, “Put it in a cabinet and close the doors.” But what if we want it to look good while we’re watching it? I mean, the point of a TV is to watch it, and I want it to look halfway nice all the time.
oh I totally thought (until min 5:33) that you would forget to mention the barn door - but of course not 🙌🏻
I also have the Samsung Frame and I'm never looking back. You can also buy a Chromecast to your existing TV so it always shows a curated fancy picture, but the advantages of the Frame is really the form, it really looks like a picture frame.
The chromecast idea is actually very nice! I could also see it as feasible to use a real frame around the TV to conceal the very TV-like black edges.
@@koalaeucalyptus exactly, framing TVs is something people do. TVs aesthetics tend to age like your 6th grade sunglasses, you feel so cool when you buy them, but a few years later they look hideous.
Another idea...a friend hooked her tv to a laptop and made the tv rotating art using a screen saver. She even took a picture of the plain wall so the screen would "blend in". I thought this was such a great idea.
It is! There are even hours-long videos here on CZcams that simply have color gradient changing screens (with no audio, I think). So a few free video options too.
We have a smart TV so it connects to Google home and loops through our family photos when it's in screensaver mode. I love it, it's a giant rotating photo canvas.
Hooking up to a laptop to do that isn't the best option. She could just get something like a Chromecast or an Amazon fire TV stick and use screensavers with those. They use way less power and are a neater solution
In my previous house, we had a 65" and the walls were very beige. We mounted the tv but the wires were super ugly. So I went even cheaper. I went and bought a piece of beige fabric that matched my wall. I used the sticky double tape, taped the fabric under the bottom and behind the tv, and let the rest drip. My husband was so confused as to how I hid the wires and then he was like "Holy crap!" Aha. That's how I hide all my wires around my desk too since the length of the desk is open against the wall. Matching fabric and just cutting it to the size desired. Double tape and problem solved. The fabric isn't touching the wires so everything is safe. It just "hides" it and it makes it look seamless.
That's very clever! I definitely haven't heard of that trick before, so thank you
This fabric idea is one of my favorites in these comments. 🖤
Yes, I’m an interior designer that despises TVs getting such prominence in a room. Placing above a mantle sends me into orbit. I created a shallow box to surround the TV with 4 bifold flat doors and used a moderately priced oil painting, divided it into 4 sections and had it applied to the doors. Results were a beautiful painting showcased when the TV wasn’t in use. 👏👏👏
How could you manage to place it to the right height? I just planned the same, but a painting looks awfully low to hang on a height where a TV would be comfortable to watch.
@@ang1795no such thing as too low when it comes to hanging art. I've seen someone place art right below the windows; maybe 2 inches above the baseboards. As long as it looks intentional, you can put it anywhere
I bought wooden frames with canvas- prints of Monet s pictures, because he is my favourite artist! I have one for every season....It looks like just a picture on a nice, almost antique coffeetable against one wall...and when I want to watch, I put the picture behind the TV, which is easy, because they are leightweight!!!They are 120 cm wide, and 80 cm high. That s enough for me.
Love the video as always. For those of us with auditory sensitivity issues, the busy background music in this one made it really hard for me to hear you though.
The black/dark wall is FLIPPIN GENUIS and so simple!! I’m a little torn bc mine is hung over the fireplace and I really wanted to paint the fireplace black, if I do the fireplace and the wall black I don’t think the fireplace will be quite as much of a statement. It’s a brain scratcher.
Nick validating me with the "good for you go listen to your npr and read your books" 🥰🥰🥰🥰 I LOVE HIM!!!!
For a renter friendly option - I recommend just throwing a patterned throw over the tv. Its helps with the dust and you can easily blend it with the rest of your design / colour palette! For a bonus I hung a gallery wall around it to make it an almost intentional addition/ design.
Yes. Please respect the landlords property regarding TV's. One of my renters drilled these giant holes into my PLASTER walls (house built in 1927) to hang a TV without asking for my permission. Bye-bye deposit!
My mom sews covers for all her "ugly boxes," including her TV. TVs are just rectangles these days, so constructing a pattern couldn't be easier. Two side seams and you're done.
Yes, I am surprised The Nick didn’t include that solution. An added bonus is that it limits how much your “smart” TV spies on you😊
I love that you cover this practical topic, Nick!! We have 75" TV and our living room is 4.5 X 4.5! (UK homes are smaller lol) I might try painting a wall next time we move... although between homes being smaller in the UK and me being Korean and love buying bigger gadgets, I can't seem to find an ideal arrangement as yet. Lol
I'm sorry, but I'm trying to visualize your situation and your numbers don't seem right. To fit 75" (diagonal) TV on a 54" long wall, the height of the TV would have to be at least 52"--a square TV, which I guess is possible, but I've never seen one. Are your numbers metric, like a 75cm TV, or a 4.5m wall? And a 4.5' x 4.5' room is very small, like a washroom. Where do you sit?
I'm not trying to be mean--I just can't figure it out.
Screen measurement in inches, room measurement in metric
@@suzanneevans1771 Yes, I figured that must be it. 👍
@@suzanneevans1771 Just spotted it! How embarrasing! Thank you very much Suzanne
@@lesleythompson6801 Just spotted it! Thanks for pointing out! My TV takes up 70 % of an entire wall in my living room, and it feels a bit daunting. However together with a sounbar, it is a tatally different experience. (Even with Netflix)
Yet another option: we bought some really cool fabric when we were in Argentina and we made curtains to cover the TV. They just slide open when we want to watch.
I switched to a projector 2yrs ago and will never go back to an ugly tv. It’s so versatile, zoom in for normal tv and zoom out for the full cinema effects 👍
Oh interesting! Yes I have been flirting with the idea for our new home!
@@Nick_Lewis new home, you say? Congrats!
I’ve been searching for the perfect media console for months!! Something classy and timeless. Almost impossible to find
My husband and I got a new TV a couple of years ago. I really wanted The Frame for the very reasons you mentioned but it was an additional $1,000.😵 We ended up going for the "big black box", but we ran all the cables through the wall which was actually really easy and inexpensive. It makes a world of a difference to hid all those unsightly cables. Looks so much nicer.🙂
I feel like the only person who likes the look of flat screen TV's. Maybe it's because I'm into technology in general, but I like seeing folks electronics on display. That said, beautiful cord management is a must. I like the look of an electric box where the electrician expertly organized the wires so you know which is which. I like to do that with my cords, so if there is an issue, I can easy find the cable I need to do a bit of troubleshooting.
You inspired me to label my cords. I just fired up my label maker yesterday.!
the Samsung Frame tv was our solution to put a tv above our fireplace in our victorian. A regular tv sticks out like a sore thumb.
Love mine too!
Before we moved into our home the previous owners were doing some renovation on the wall we planned to mount our TV. We kindly asked them if they could put an outlet up where we'd mount the TV. They were kind of to do that and add a pass through to the bottom of the wall as well as another outlet down there. It's worked out great. Definitely think add in the pass through is worth it, especially if you're going to be doing work/paint on that wall anyway.
I am going with a dark wall behind the TV and red accent wall, on the opposite side with old movie posters, and other types of posters in the same category, to give this throwback, retro theater feel to the space. I am super excited. I've always loved retro designs and retro style. So I am trying to combine retro design in a contemporary way.
Nick, you are a mind-reader. I am in the middle of renovation and my home is now in light natural colors, transitional style. My boyfriend wants a big, black TV in the middle of the living room. I agreed but it is in total contrast with all the colors and the style of everything else in the room. Thank you for the tips and the affirmation that TVs are problematic.
Let him pony up his own $$ for a Frame. Then you can both be happy.
Ha ha. Thanks for pre-emptively addressing the anti-TV virtue signalers out there! Another Ha ha for the barn doors comment! I have a TV but barely watch it because I use it to lull me to sleep. It takes me 3 days to watch a movie because I fall asleep 30 minutes into it. That being said, I still want a TV but I do dislike the look of them. I appreciate you giving me ideas. i love the dark paint idea!
I have a weird corner focal wall thing with a fake fireplace insert that didn't work. I took the fireplace out, painted the wall black, set the TV in front of the hole that was created to cover it up, and stuffed all the wires inside the hole. My TV completely disappeared. I was happy to see my solution was covered by your first suggestion.
Thank you for these suggestions! We really don’t like the look of the TV and have tried different things, but ended up covering it with an antique Bolivian weaving and it actually doesn’t look too bad!
A new trend I’ve noticed is to simply put the tv on an easel, as if it were a painting. This is more for spaces where the tv is not the focal point of the room and allows it to be more in the corner (like beside a fireplace)
This seems like a fast way to break a television.
@@hannahj489 if it breaks it will just make it a more interesting art piece. Always best to treat your TV as a Banksy painting
@@hannahj489 I think he means the big, heavy rolling easels that hold the TV vertically and not leaned. I believe my school had those in every room to hang the occasional map or so and they were stupid children proof. The Sorry Girls made one (and screwed it in a rack into the easel) for their office and it looks really cool and sturdy.
@@mirabellegoldapfel6256 no, I actually did mean the kind that lean. Definitely seems precarious and certainly not child safe lol. Unless you somehow mounted the tv to the easel
See Samsung Serif
Alternative to plastic cord covers: carve a channel into the back of wall molding to route the wires through it. That way it's a feature of its own instead of one lonely post
Thank you for addressing the people that say “I don’t own a TV”. Those people are so self righteous. To each their own TV, or not.
Just to add for hiding the wires. On top of using cable covers, just use a decor piece to hide it. If you place your TV correctly (not too high) then it’d be low just above the console. Perfect height to place a strategically placed vase or sculpture to hide that strip of wire cover.
TheSorryGirls have a great video in how to build a TV frame and make it look like these artwork TVs. Way cheaper and better for the environment, check that out if you are crafty!
I bought the flattest tv I could find, probably 10 years ago, and hung a modern quilt over it-you’d never know. My husband wanted a tv in the living room and I didn’t, so this was our compromise 😊.
0:52 ...... LOL!!! I love you so much! I literally laughed out loud... "go listen to your NPR and read your books" Baaahaahaa
My husband and I are in the middle of this dilemma... our main issue is that we live in a rental and can't hang anything on the walls or paint them. Otherwise we would just get the Frame. The house came semi-furnished, including a TV on a TV bench in the living room. We both hate it. We don't like living rooms centered around TV's but for the time being we need to make it work (in our previous home we had a family room/TV room and a separate more formal living room). We have very few options for placement due to windows, doors and radiators. I've been researching and brainstorming possible solutions for weeks. I'm trying to convince him to just move the TV and bench down to the storage room in the basement and get a projector that we can place on the coffee table only when we want to watch TV.
Can the bench be covered by a tablecloth that matches the room? (Sheets and cloth shower curtains can also work). Won't fix the tv part, but may help?
I’m doing a wood slatted wall behind the TV. It won’t be as camouflaged as a black wall, but the medium-dark stain and black background paint should help minimize the contrast and make it a fun feature!
My sister had a flat panel TV installed on a wall in her finished basement. The cabling was left trailing from the TV to the floor. I suggested installing a fake accent wall. We bought a 4x8 panel of beadboard, some wood moulding strips, glue, and white paint. Because of the way the TV wall bracket is constructed, there is about 6 inches of space between the back of the TV and the basement wall. The bottom of the beadboard rests on the floor. The beadboard is positioned within a few inches of the wall and behind the TV panel. It is rigid enough to remain free standing. We glued moulding strips to the edges of the beadboard to help prevent bowing and to create a finished edge. If the board decided to lean, we could wedge some lightweight polyurethane foam, between the wall and TV. We did make cut outs in the beadboard panel to accomodate the TV bracket and provide easy access to the wall outlet (which hides behind a low cabinet). The finished result gives the appearance of a beadboard accent wall on which a TV is installed. The unsightly cables are hidden. The fake wall is not anchored to anything and can be easily removed as if it never existed.
Few more suggestions to TV problem- If you have the google chromecast or fire TV, they do provide some really cool pictures to be displayed on your TV when not in use from their picture gallery that you can customize. It may not be as elegant as frame tvs but it’s better than black box on the wall and much cheaper way to incorporate. I know Nick hates DIY but you can also build a frame custom for your TV to make it look like a frame TV. You can also put led strips behind your TV that matches what’s displayed on your tv and extends the color. For a designer that may not be very appealing but it looks better than plane black screen when you have picture displayed on screen with extended light sometimes that working as mood lighting. Lastly this mostly you need to do it while building the home but if you run the HDMI ARC cable and IR repeater cables from your living room tv to say coat closet, you can put your whole media console hidden in the coat closet with all wiring running inside the closet removing the need to hide the modern day wiring problem rather moving it to different place. Additionally while running cables for your speakers across your living room try to run it as close to your baseboard as possible as hopefully some furniture pieces will try to hide it, you won’t need to paint the cable covers as white is mostly standard and cable management is easier that way. Hopefully this helps!
We bought frame tv 2 years ago and love it! Kids change the pictures often and get to know famous artists at the same time!
I used the dark wall trick and it does make a big difference. The TV is visible, of course, but it doesn't jump at you like it did against a light coloured wall.
I own a TV (it's mounted on the wall) and I use it mostly for a livestream of a fireplace on CZcams for my Hygge feeling, when I'm working at the Laptop^^
- It has an ugly transparent big leg right down the middle for the standing foot, which I can't remove. I have hidden it with a piece of decoration.
- I can't open my wall, since it is made of concrete, tho. I'm using a cable runway to hide the cables, which is also mounted on the wall.
I've used a low cost projector for years now. It just projects onto a white wall, works amazingly well. Attach a chromecast or whatever and you are sorted.
You just have to *whisper* paint and I'm excited! I love an accent wall!
Agreed on cord management. I got a cheap white one and even just bundling them made a world of difference.
The last time anyone used the television my family was about 2 years ago. We use our laptops to watch television programs, netflix, youtube etc. I'd love to get rid of our television, but the others want to keep it, despite not actually using it!
It sits on a shelf in a bookcase (shelves at the top, and cupboard doors at the bottom. The bookcase is a very dark wood. This means the television is pretty camouflaged. Lots of people don't realise we have a television.
Hahaha, “you go listen to your NPR…” Love it!
I would take NPR over tv any day.
Mr. Rogers did it right from the beginning with Picture-Picture!
It seems like everyone in the US is mounting the Tv too high. You are supposed to have a straight view towards the tv when sitting down on the couch. Id you have to tilt your neck to watch you have mounted it too high.
Lol accidentally stumbled on an idea that worked great in my small space: during the joys of working from home I had set up a small office nook in the corner of my lounge room, that’s when I figured out monitors can not only come with better definition (thankyou gaming industry), a greater range of housing covers, the same capabilities, and are lighter than my previous tv. I ended up spending a few dollars at IKEA to put roller wheels on my desk and now I just slide it the two meters when I want to chill out on the couch lol. Not sure it’s a viable option for everyone but definitely agree that while having a display looks cute in an office nook, my lounge area looks way better without it permanently there
love this, especially for a small space
I don;t have a TV but I have a friend who put the TV (that big black blank space) in front of that other big black blank space (the fireplace opening). It's on a very low, plain wheeled tray they had and can easily be moved when they have a fire or entertain. It looks great. And yes, hide the wires!! What is up with those people who don't see all those wires?
Great advice, as always! I wholeheartedly agree on the cord covers. My bedroom tv had several cords hanging down, and it gave me anxiety every time I looked at it. I finally grabbed some covers, and bam! 15 minutes later, including the time to paint the strip, no more visible cords! One small change made a huge difference.
Those barn door covers - I nearly died from laughing.
I agree wires are unsightly. There are many ways to conceal them. Some companies like Samsung make a box from which only one wire connects. You could also lessen the distance the wires have to travel with a taller tv console under it. I find wires multiply at my TVs bc of Nintendo, x box, wifi plug ins, hi-defe cables to connect your laptop to your computer to watch laptop programs on your big screen. I Like that for zoom. So I think the best thing to do is not try to corral all your wires in some wire hider. Instead find ways to put things under the tv to hide them and always leave easy access to unplug and add cables. I thought about darker walls too. But I think to go that dark in a main room is not a good idea. I have the Samsung frame tv. It’s a great option. I put Artwork I upload myself for free on it when it’s off. You could put your child’s artwork your artwork or artwork from your phone of major artworks at any museum you have visited. Just looking at artwork is meditative. Thank you😊 Nick for covering this important design issue.
When I was a kid we had the TV in an antique cabinet-bookshelf kind of thing. Easily closed the doors when we had people over.
0:52 DEAD hahahahaha. How do you know if someone doesn't own a TV? Don't worry, they'll tell you (as they watch The Office on their laptop)
We painted the wall behind the TV black. We love it. It is hidden and when we use it, it looks like a small cinema.
The “old” TV cabinet is something I never got rid of and don’t regret it. A TV that is always in is the same as an Alexa always being on IMHO. The frame is just further enticement to always have it On and in plain view.
We have a tv in every bedroom, master bath and great room… love them and use them for music when we have company.
Cord covers really are the single best upgrade as far as bang for the buck. They make SUCH a difference.
Especially for us because our television (for gaming more than shows) is wall mounted.
I think I prefer the TV on the light wall to be honest, on the dark wall it looks creepy and ominous. Out of all the options, that was my preference as the others are too cumbersome. I agree with hiding the wires though, if that's a possibility. Another option is a projector TV.
I know Nick dislikes most DIYs, so that might be why he skipped the option of building a frame (or having someone else build a frame) for your TV. But there's several CZcams tutorials on how to build certain wooden frames, and I really like that idea, because then you can stain or paint (or even decoupage) the frame to match your other decor. Then, as someone mentioned already in the comment section, you can load up a picturesque screensaver from wherever (including video screensavers/scenes from right here on CZcams), and there you go! A TV that goes with your style and also acts as an art piece when not in actual use for shows and movies.
The good Tv comes with a frame on screen. In this case it would be double frame.
Yesss! Samsung the frame represent! This was the compromise for my partner and I - he wanted a big TV and I wanted no TV.. So we settled on a TV that adds to the space rather than one that takes from it. They are more expensive for a tv, but it's actually pretty standard price for an artwork of that size.. And given you can change the artwork, gives more freedom to change your colour scheme in your room.
Brilliant idea painting the wall behind a dark colour!
My friend had an older-style projector TV in the early 2000s. I loved the huge picture on an entire wall. I don't watch much TV so we just have a portable set, but if I did watch a lot of movies or sports events or had several people watching, I'd definitely consider a projection TV.
In my opinion, the best way to work with the TV is to keep it simple. Hiding the wires of course, but I find the framing and other solutions a bit too much. Also, hanging a tv over the fireplace is something I do not get...why people do that? I think it is too high and not confortable to watch, too close to a heating point which is bad for electronics and it does not look good, in my opinion.
Good tips! I have read that a smart TV can use an app to do what a Frame does. We always had our set (now we just use a laptop) in a base cabinet of a wall-to-wall bookcase that wraps around a large window. The kids were homeschooled and did some classes by video, so it was in use every day - and was never a problem. The doors open flat, so they are really never a problem.
The frame has frames too it as well and are designed to sit flush against the wall but yes the screensaver art stuff is doable but not recommended if you have an oled but I'm guessing you don't
Informative and entertaining, as always! I'm one of those people who loves books, NPR, and my TV.😆 But I don't love that it's my feature wall! (My husband went a bit bonkers last black Friday.) So I very much appreciate these suggestions!
If you listen NPR you probably watch PBS.
@@L.Spencer that is true
I have mine in a beautiful armoire with a beautiful mysterious dark arched space. I love it and I use the arch theme (Very subtle more like curved headers that repeat in the other funiture pieces and adjacent mirror).
I’m a designer who works with televisions as the focal point of a room. I personally have one TV and it is used in our living room. Most of my clients do too.
Ok….painting the wall behind my 📺 is now officially on my to-do list. LOL 😆
My living room is painted black. I have three floor to ceiling windows and plenty of light coming in. It is a light and airy room but at the same time cozy. The TV indeed blends to the wall and it doesn´t stick out that much.
Love the idea of the black paint 🎨
I like the idea of painting the wall behind a tv dark! Wondering what ideas you have to address walls with differing heights due to a vaulted ceiling. I have a room with a vaulted ceiling causing one very tall wall on one side, and a shorter wall on the other. Thanks for the great content!
omg so glad for the tv on a black wall suggestion! I had decided to paint my TV wall a charcoal color just for the decor.... so happy now you have cemented the idea with realizing the fact that it mimizes the tv.
Great video, Nick! We painted our tv wall SW iron ore and OMG!!! It is absolutely gorgeous. Don’t be afraid to go for it!! ❤️❤️
I wanted those framed tvs they are so pretty and yes they have come down in price but they are not lets say "affordable " unless there is some off brand aliexpress version idk about. The problem was I wanted to go that route and use it as a sort of art piece when we were not actively using it but there are tvs out there with so much better quality for cheaper. (I am an avid movie watcher I love 4k so this was important to me) my solution after I had exhausted every possibility to camouflage an 82 inch tv was to just accept it. They are part of out lives for better or worse and we are already living in a version of Fahrenheit 451 anyway so...there you go lol
In my last home (about 7 years ago) I painted the wall behind my tv black. During my Reno of my vacation property I had them move the receptacle up behind the tv.
Painting a wall behind the television a dark color really would be the easiest way to hide a television when not in use, and it would also be the easiest way to make a change later if you decide you want the television in another space or you are moving and can't leave the wall black/dark--just repaint, and it's done. And with the fast speed of changing technology, remember if you have an outlet installed behind your television to hide the cords/cables, you will have an outlet out in the open at an odd height when you no longer need/want the television mounted to the wall. Thanks to the former owner of my home, I have an electrical outlet and a cable outlet high on the wall in the master bedroom near where they placed a wall-mounted television. I spent a lot of time fixing the wall damage created by their removing the wall bracket, but I had to find a piece of art to hang over the electrical and cable outlets so they are hidden. No wall-mounted televisions for me. I don't have any of the giant-sized televisions, but my largest television in my family room sits on top of a marble-topped bedroom dresser. The cords and cables are out of sight behind the dresser, and I store old videos, CDs, DVDs, etc. in the drawers.
Great video, thank you! That John Singer Sargent painting is one of my favourites so I’m considering getting a frame TV just so I can do that! What a great idea. I also like the dark wall idea but I suspect my husband wouldn’t like that as he’s all about the off white!! 😄
You mentioned hiding wires in walls. I'd like to know if you've had experience doing that with plaster and Lathe walls and how it was done. Also, anything you'd like to add about plaster and lathe walls and best ways to hang things on them, etc.
Thank you for your videos. You are kind while still giving your best opinion. I appreciate your guidance!
A painting on canvas with two felt covered L-brackets on the back hangs nicely over a flat screen TV. I know that’s too DIY for Nick but something for others to try. 😂
I have only one dark red wall in the entire apartment and this is where I put my TV. It was never intentional, but I didn´t mind it as much there and now I know why. thanks^^
In my bedroom my television sits in a corner on a wrought iron art easel. In my den it sits atop a black antique tea cart/bar and in my living room I have it mounted to the wall but I have a Persian rug that is hung from the ceiling on a rod that I roll down when company is coming.
Lmao on the bit about someone getting rid of their TV in 1976. Yeah no, me and my partner love Netflix and watching our true crime shows. Not giving that up for the sake of aesthetics.
I literally propped an original oil painting in front of my tv in the bedroom. I don’t watch tv that much in bed so it’s not a big deal to move it every so often. I’m planning on painting the wall behind the 80” television in my family room Tricorn Black by SW.
I’ve had the Samsung Frame for about 2 years and love it!! I got the white frame for it and have gray walls with white fireplace/mantle. Wires are hidden and it looks so good!! I find landscapes or neutral Frame Art looks the most natural in the wall; like an actual painting. I love bold abstract art but it looks a little more like TV when I use those so I just avoid it.
Excellent video! Do you have any ideas on how to hide an ugly PC in a home office?
This is a great idea. I'm dying for one of these for the home office.
THIS.EPISODE.IS.FANTASTIC...!! Most of us have a t.v. in one of our rooms. So many wonderful solutions for making them look less pedestrian. Thank you! 😘❤
Oh I'm glad you enjoyed it!
Put it on a dark wall ☑️😁.
Just painted the walls of my husband's Oilers themed man cave. (He stole the small dining room/den at the front of our house)
I used Beauti-tone Power Hitter (navy shade) for a play on the new jersey and the stripe of colour on the perimeter of the ceiling is orange. 😖
I would have liked a craft room but the navy walls make for a great adult home theater room. 🤷♀️
Nick calling me out personally at the 0:51 mark!🤣🤣🤣 My cats and I are off to sip tea and listen to NPR!
A dark color paint on the wall!!! A simple solution I never thought of, but I'm no designer - thank you!
Hi Nick---I'm that obnoxious NPR person---never owned one---but I have a laptop to watch you on CZcams! Here's a solution I have seen in tiny house videos. They conceal the TV behind a piece of furniture and there's a motor that raises it up when they want to watch it. One tiny house had it up in the loft bedroom, behind the cupboard where they kept their clothes. Push a button, and this giant TV rises up from behind the cabinet. I thought it was a cool solution for a small space.
YAY IT’S MY BOY 🥳🥳🥳🥳 LOVE ME SOME NICK 🥰
my tv will forever be on a black wall. i love it so much, especially while viewing. it gives you a more theater feel.
Just got The Frame. I love it. We are waiting on the frame colour we won't ( supply chains) but even with the black the art makes it look good.