Gorgeous Tv Room Design Decor That Feels Effortless

The easiest way to make a TV room look good is to stop treating the screen as the star. Give it a frame (shelves, paneling, a painted wall), soften the glare around it, and layer a few light sources so the room still works when the TV is off.

Below are the ideas I'd start with, from the simplest paint change to built-ins. Most work in a small room as well as a big one.

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How to decorate a TV wall

A black screen is a big dark rectangle. The goal is to make it feel like part of the wall instead of a hole in it. Three moves do most of the work: add contrast or texture behind it, balance its visual weight with objects on either side, and keep the area around it calm.

As an architect, I'd decide the wall treatment first and the accessories last. Accessories are cheap to move. Paneling and paint are not.

TV wall design ideas that work in most rooms

Paint the wall a deeper, matte color

This is the simplest TV wall design for a living room. A matte, mid-to-dark tone makes the screen blend in, and matte paint doesn't bounce lamp light back at you. Glossy surfaces reflect light and make sharp glare, while matte finishes absorb it and soften it. Test swatches in the morning, afternoon and evening before you commit.

Wood slats or paneling

Vertical slats or flat paneling add warmth and a little sound absorption. They also hide cable runs if you plan the installation ahead. Keep the pattern quiet; the TV is already a strong shape.

Built-in shelves around the screen

Shelves on both sides turn the TV into one item in a composition. Mix books, a few objects, a plant and some closed cabinets for the remotes and consoles. Leave some empty space on every shelf. If a dog shares the room, keep breakable pieces off the lowest shelf.

A gallery of art around it

Arrange frames in a loose block that extends beyond the TV on one or both sides. Matching frame colors keep it from looking busy. Hang the pieces at similar distances from the screen so the group reads as one shape.

Floating console or low media unit

A wall-hung console frees the floor and makes a room look larger, which helps in small TV room decor ideas. Check the wall type and the weight rating of the fixings, and use a licensed professional if you're unsure about the mount.

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Living room TV stand decor: what goes on top

Keep the stand surface to a few items at different heights: one tall piece (a lamp or a vase), one medium (a stack of books), one low (a tray or bowl). Leave the area right under the screen clear so cables and speakers don't look cluttered. Pets knock things over, so favor wide, stable bases over tall, thin ones.

Closed storage handles the remotes, game controllers and routers. Open shelves are better for the things you want people to see.

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Lighting around the TV

Lighting does more for a TV room than any accessory. Use three layers: a soft ambient source, a lamp or two at seating height, and a gentle glow behind or beside the screen. A dimmer on the main light lets you switch from conversation to movie mode.

Backlighting behind the TV reduces the contrast between the bright screen and a dark wall, which is easier on the eyes in a dark room. LED strips are a sensible choice because the U.S. Department of Energy notes that good-quality white LED products are expected to last 30,000 to 50,000 hours or even longer.

Pick the color temperature on purpose. The Department of Energy describes correlated color temperature as one of the primary metrics for the visual appearance of light. In practice, warm white around 2700-3000K suits a relaxed evening room, and cooler light feels more like a workspace.

Evening light also matters for sleep. The Department of Energy states that "Light plays a key role in setting and regulating the body's biological clock." If you watch late, keep the room lighting low and warm.

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Small TV room decor ideas

• Mount the TV and use a narrow shelf instead of a deep cabinet.
• Paint the walls and trim close in tone so the room reads as one calm box.
• Choose a sofa with exposed legs; seeing the floor under it makes the room feel bigger.
• Use one rug large enough for the front legs of the seating to sit on it.
• Limit the shelf styling to a few pieces.

For a space that has to do double duty, a room divider can separate the TV zone from the rest without building a wall.

Modern TV room styling: color, texture and plants

Modern rooms lean on restraint: one main color, two or three textures, and a few clean lines. Wood, a nubby throw and a tight-weave sofa fabric are enough. If you have a dog or cat, a tight weave resists claws better than loose bouclé, and washable covers are worth the trouble.

A tall plant in a corner softens the hard edges of the screen. Before you buy one, check with your vet or the ASPCA's plant list that it's safe for your pets.

If you like brick or a textured wall behind the TV, see this modern brick wall living room post, and for a mix of styles, the eclectic living room ideas.

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Layout rules that keep it comfortable

• Set the center of the screen near seated eye level.
• Leave a clear path behind the seating so nobody walks in front of the screen.
• Place lamps so they don't reflect in the screen from where you sit.
• Add soft materials (rug, curtains, upholstered pieces) to cut echo.

If your TV room doubles as a play space, the video game room ideas post covers seating and cable planning in more depth.

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