18 stylish but functional TV wall ideas
A well-thought-out TV wall can make all the difference to movie nights (nothing beats a widescreen cinematic experience) while serving practical living needs too.
Once turned off, television screens can sometimes be an eyesore, even more so if unsightly wires or cables are on show which ruin the aesthetics. But there are some clever and stylish TV wall ideas (which you can browse below) to help conceal your TV or seamlessly blend it into your living space. Though it certainly helps that technology has also developed in recent years, and TVs can now become pieces of art – the Samsung Frame being a prime example – which turns your TV into a picture frame when not in use.
How can I make my TV wall look good?
A contemporary choice is a media wall, which enables you to mount a flatscreen television onto the wall to display other media, including speakers, gaming consoles and record players. Typically, but not always, a media wall is fitted above a pre-existing fireplace or with a new inset fireplace. Seek professional advice on installation, stud walls and electrics. Media walls are also brilliant storage solutions because it contains all your entertainment devices in one place. Media walls can take up a lot of space but they are customisable so it can work in more compact rooms with the right design. They are costly however, with installation prices ranging from £2,000 - £4,000, according to Checkatrade.
A more popular TV wall idea is to recess a television within built-in cabinetry. 'Incorporating your TV within a unit allows the technology to blend into the room scheme, so that the TV is not the central focus of the room,' says Natalie Murray-Hurst, interior designer at Murray Hurst interiors. It's especially useful in a small living room as it helps to streamline and organise an area, while making the most of alcoves and really maximising vertical (floor to ceiling) wall space.
Not keen on bespoke units or a media wall? You might just want to simply mount a TV on a wall or use a stand to make a feature of a backdrop – wallpaper or a clever paint effect – that will add interest to your room in a cohesive way. It's a cost effective option too. In this case, invest in cable trunking and cable tidy boxes to hide unsightly wires.
From savvy built-in solutions to stylish backdrops, these TV wall ideas will transform your living space.
1. Make it match
Create a TV wall to match the colour scheme of your room. This stunning bespoke media wall successfully complements the grey tones of this formal living room, but before doing so, there are some practical elements to consider:
'Positioning a TV on a chimney breast always presents difficulties but doesn't have to be avoided with a little planning,' advises Jaki Willson, marketing consultant at Falchi Interiors. 'There has to be enough space between the flue and the TV (in this case we allowed 15cm), the correct fire rated materials need to be used for any housing and framework and vents need to be incorporated into the design to allow for air flow.'
Pictured: Maidenhead project, Falchi Interiors
2. Fit it in an alcove
This fabulously stylish inky blue living room makes a feature of the fireplace, and rightfully so. The TV is confined to the corner in an alcove storage unit, perfectly suiting the lifestyle of a family where watching the television isn't the top priority.
Pictured: Project by Studio Dean
3. Opt for a simple wall mount
Sometimes, less is more, and a simple wall mount will do. With a rosy pink colour scheme, this warm and inviting lounge is the perfect space to binge-watch your favourite television shows.
'Mounting your television on the wall is not only the most space-saving option but eliminates clutter on the floor so it can remain your place of sanctuary,' says Alan Whyte, managing director at Loewe UK. 'By mounting the TV to the wall, you can tilt, turn and manoeuvre the screen to ensure a perfect view at all times of day.'
Pictured: Bild c TV, Loewe
4. Embrace awkward corners
This storage unit, painted in Boringdon Green by Little Greene, is the perfect hybrid solution: neatly stacked books frame the TV, which takes a central position without being too overwhelming.
'When the homeowner moved into this flat, there was no storage and she struggled to find fitted furniture due to the sloping walls. With the built-in cupboards and shelving, it gave the space more character, a focal point and plenty of space to store books,' says Tonie Pepperstreet, lead designer at Bespoke Carpentry London.
Pictured: Project by Bespoke Carpentry London
5. Keep it out of sight
This unit is big on storage with shutter-style doors enabling for clear viewing, as seen in this cosy rustic living room. You can close the doors when you prefer it out of sight.
Pictured: Hideaway Media Unit, The Cotswold Company
6. Style up a TV stand
This minimalist TV stand holds so much more than just your television screen. See how these colourful trio of baskets line the bottom shelf, while small vases with single cut flowers fill the top for a perfectly curated display. The vibrant floral wallpaper is the ideal backdrop to frame the space.
Pictured: Duong TV Stand, Wayfair
7. Install a modern fireplace media wall
Placing a TV above a fireplace is a common design feature, and this modern twist is sleek and contemporary. The TV is placed above an electric fireplace, with a recessed design to display firewood at the size. Customised in a rich steel blue colour, this TV wall makes a real statement.
'An in-built electric fire offers a design-led choice for the discerning homeowner, who wants to combine modern looks with the latest technology,' says Jon Butterworth, director at Arada Stoves. 'Pair with a high tech flat screen TV to complete the feature wall and achieve perfect balance within the room.'
Pictured: Ellere Electric Fire, Arada
8. Make it centre of attention
Making a focal point of your television isn't a bad thing either. This rich brown media unit is bold and eye-catching. Note the matching wall lights on either side of the TV – it's a lovely way to build on a layered lighting scheme and add ambience come evening time.
'The room had nothing in it and lacked storage space or any interesting features,' says Tonie. 'This built-in media unit really transformed the space into a cosy living room with enough space to put their favourite books, vases and ceramics.'
Pictured: Project by Bespoke Carpentry London
9. Choose warm woods
Here’s a panelling idea that is a great way to make a feature of plain white walls. Natural materials such as wood can make an attractive backdrop that can detract away from your TV. This wooden feature wall adds character and brings much warmth to the room, and the light cotton oak shade would work particularly well in Scandi-inspired interiors. It's a practical consideration too; these panels are backed with a strong felt material which boasts sound-absorbing qualities.
Pictured: Trepanel® Light Oak Acoustic Wood Slat Panels, Walls and Floors
10. Look to nature
Another example of how to incorporate wood into your TV wall, this is perfect for modern homes. These walnut slatted feature panels create warmth, character and texture and seamlessly integrates directly into this fitted media unit. The surrounding storage in a soft sage green colourway helps to create a harmonious scheme and connect the indoor and outdoor spaces.
Pictured: Manhattan media unit in willow green with espresso walnut slatted feature panels, Sharps
11. Let it blend in
Proof that a TV doesn't have to dominate a living room, this joyful space is full of character, perfectly blending colour, pattern and texture. The TV here is positioned in the corner of the room within an existing unit – it's unassuming and framed by photo frames and ornaments on open shelves above.
Pictured: Marianne fabric, Faye cushions, both Cathy Nordström
12. Mirror it
This is a great way to disguise a television when it's not in use. Ideally placed above a sideboard or mantel, this mirrored frame will ensure your TV blends seamlessly into your room without compromising on aesthetics – and it'll help to bounce light around too. There are adjustable straps on the back of the mirror to hold your flat-screen TV securely in place, and the mirror will hide the sides of the TV for a subtle, seamless look until you switch it on.
Pictured: Lynton Rectangular TV Mirror, Neptune
13. Frame with floating furniture
If you have a compact space, use floating furniture to frame your TV. This eye-catching design consists of strategically placed floating storage above and below the TV, creating a quirky frame.
'Wall-mounting your TV can be a fantastic way to create an uncluttered, modern look in the home,' says Grant Robertson, interior design leader at Ikea UK and Ireland. 'Start by deciding where you want to put the television in the room, testing out different heights and angles to find the perfect viewing experience.'
Pictured: TV & media storage, Ikea
14. Create a gallery wall
Complement the TV on your wall by creating a gallery wall around it. This recessed design by Alexander James Design positions the TV in the centre of the wall with built-in display units above and below, and framed pictures on either side complete the look.
'Whether you are looking for a more pleasant way to hide cables or children’s toys, displaying memorabilia or your favourite keepsakes – a media wall can add a touch of elegance to what has previously felt like a bit of an eyesore,' says Julie Clifford at Alexander James Interiors.
Pictured: Project by Alexander James Interiors
15. Play on negative space
This bespoke white unit (painted in Strong White by Farrow & Ball) was created with the TV in mind, which takes a prime position in this room living.
'Previously, the room was missing key practical and aesthetic features to make it a great living space,' explains Tonie. 'After installing a fitted TV Wall unit, it created more storage and more functionality.'
Pictured: Project by Bespoke Carpentry London
16. Embrace texture
If you want to add a touch of glamour to your TV wall, add a suede backdrop. This TV is encased in a plush, suede feature wall with floating shelves and an entertainment unit.
'When encasing a TV in joinery, it’s important to ensure there is good ventilation so the unit does not get too hot,' advises Niloufar Lamakan, interior designer at Nila Design. 'I also used a suede finish wallpaper to give it a luxe look and had to make sure that the fire rating for the wallpaper was suitable.'
Ensure you check the guidance and use suitable wallpaper before encasing any electrical devices.
Pictured: Nila Design
17. Make it modular
This TV unit brings a modern, industrial edge to this living room thanks to its rectangular, grid-style appearance. Whilst the TV is centred, there are 10 open rectangular shelves for storing and displaying everything from books to photographs. The bottom level houses four double cupboards for keeping clutter out of sight. The TV seamlessly blends in here because the open shelving of the unit enables the grey wall to remain visible.
Pictured: Wakendale Modular TV Unit With Shelf Bridge And Low Cupboards with Additional Planter Boxes, Shelved
18. Disguise behind a fabric roller blind
If you want your TV to be discreet, you can hide it behind a vibrant roller blind. This elegant solution to concealing a drawing room television screen was designed by Sarah Wodehouse from Decibel Designs. The roller blind was made from a hand-dyed and woven ikat commissioned from textile designer Ptolemy Mann.
'The blind fabric needed to be a suitable weight and structure to be able to be laminated,' shares Sarah. 'The minimum number of controls is desirable so with one touch the blind rolls out of sight and the television tilts forward, ready for selecting a channel.'
It's certainly a creative and more aesthetic TV wall design – you won't even know it's there!
Pictured: Decibel Designs
Where's best to place a TV?
You need to consider the layout of your room as ultimately this will impact where your TV will be positioned, and whether you have sufficient wall space on either side. 'Ideally you want your screen out of the way of high traffic areas to avoid it being knocked or your view disturbed by people walking past the screen,' says Alan Whyte, managing director at Loewe UK.
Other than the location, key considerations include light or sun exposure which could impact viewing quality: 'If you’re watching television during the day, you may find sunlight is having an impact on your TV’s colour, brightness and sharpness,' Alan adds.
Importantly, always consider your cables, says Gary Walmsley, managing director at Designer Walls: 'Often modern TVs only require power as they work on Wi-Fi – a recessed box behind the TV is very helpful when tidying up cables. If there are more cables such as HDMI etc., then a trucking in the wall is recommended.'
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