It’s time we settle an age-old debate: Where should your living room television actually go?
There’s no hard-and-fast rule, but designers have opinions on the best way to keep your family’s entertaining space functional and stylish. And sometimes, those opinions aren’t always based on aesthetics.
“I don’t always want to fight the ‘TV over the fireplace’ battle,” admits designer Annie Downing. So, where should it go? Below, we dive into designers’ best stylish solutions.
Go over the mantel
Sometimes, the path of least resistance is ultimately the correct one, and all of the designers had no real issue with putting a television over the fireplace or mantel.
“As long as the design is intentional and well-executed regarding the placement, I think we live in a time where we have to embrace the technology,” says designer Amanda Lantz. Just be sure that the technology you’re embracing is primed for a little designer upgrade.
“The TV doesn’t have to be a giant black box,” says Annie, who recommends homeowners opt for sleeker options, such as Samsung’s Frame TV, which can be easily integrated.
“It’s not about hiding it completely,” she says, “it’s about treating it like a design element instead of an afterthought.” To give the TV a more intentional feel, Annie recommends pairing a frame television with custom or pre-fabricated trim packages. A simple tile surround also works if you want a more integrated look.
Hide it — but do it cleverly
If mounting a television over your fireplace is an absolute no-go for you, either because you hate the way it looks or because the angle or height of the television makes viewing uncomfortable, there are still plenty of places to put or hide it.
Tuck into an adjacent bookcase
Instead of placing the television over the (admittedly too-high) mantel, try tucking it neatly into the right side of your bookcase, surrounding it with books and other collected objects. This approach, which works well in living rooms with vaulted ceilings, easily fosters a cosy, gather-around atmosphere.
Pair it with greenery
This cabin makes expert use of freshly foraged greens.
Try camouflaging your television — literally. Fresh, seasonal greens go a long way in adding visual intrigue and casual, lived-in charm. Choose fluffy, loose flowers or greenery to balance the structured, technical feel of the television.
Cover it with art
Make your pictures work harder by using them to cover your television.
In designer Christina Salway’s home, the television is hidden by a large painting hung on cleats. “When we watch TV, we take the painting down, and when we’re finished, we put it back up,” she says.
“This is probably unimaginable to most people, but I hated the prospect of having a television so visibly positioned in our living room.” It’s best to avoid art with high sentimental value or that is irreplaceable if you go this route. Instead, opt for inexpensive vintage art or a print that you don’t mind handling regularly.
Hide it with millwork
A great way to hide a television in a living room involves a clever bit of carpentry. Take inspiration from @MyMulberryHouse on Instagram.
In her post, homeowner Leah Lane walks her followers through the process of building a concertina TV screen fabricated with piano hinges, which are key to its seamless, lie-flat appearance.
The screen is cleverly disguised as a set of antique botanical prints. If you’re willing to put a little extra elbow grease and manpower behind hiding your television, this is a stunning, design-editor-approved method.
Design tips and tricks for decorating a small living room
Loveseats
Loveseats are a neat solution for smaller living rooms – they can typically fit two people, although it’s a prerequisite that you are comfortable in each other’s personal space. One of the joys of a loveseat is that extra attention is usually paid to design elements that promote comfort, like deep cushions and sumptuous fabrics.
Read more: 28 best loveseats for snuggling up or saving space
Adapting your layout
This tiny living room won’t allow for a sofa, so the homeowners have made a smart choice in the set of armchairs and shared side table – creating a comfortable spot that is flooded with natural light and benefits from the adjacent view.
Smart furniture
If you only have space for a small armchair, shop around for something with a deep seat and low arms – what it lacks in size will be made up for in comfort.
Shop now: Country Living Quinton Accent Chair at DFS
Maximising natural light
This picture window extends to the full height of the living room to flood it with natural light. This could also be achieved with internal windows or even glass panels in your doors to recruit light from adjacent spaces.
Built-in display
Investing in bespoke display units will give you more control over the depth of your shelves or cubbies. This is a particularly lovely example because of the varying heights of the shelves – a lack of uniformity like this can be really charming and interesting to look at. We love the framed print taking up its own spot in the middle.
Read more: How to style and display accessories in your home
Layers, layers, layers
There is a natural inclination to pare back accessories and textiles in a small space, but equally we don’t want it to be totally devoid of character. Layers are a little more forgiving in this instance because you can pile a couple of soft furnishings together to maximise impact but minimise footprint.
Read more: How to decorate the space above a sofa
A tiny home office
Even the smallest of living rooms can accommodate a tiny home office. It’s wise in this instance to shop for vintage or antique tables to serve as a desk, as they can often have smaller proportions. The windowsill and adjacent bookcase are sufficient storage too.
Read more: 20 small desks perfect for bijou home offices
A day bed
Another sofa alternative if a loveseat is too small. A daybed can be generously sized, but has a slightly smaller footprint than a sofa because it will sit flush to your wall. They are exceptionally comfortable too, as this handsome boy can attest to.
Read more: 13 creative ways to use fabric around the home
Tackling low ceilings
If you can’t build out, build up. Using the full height of a small living room is one of the most under-utilised design tricks. We love this bespoke shelving unit that combines storage and display, and the clever cherry red wall acts like a backdrop for accessories.
Runners
Runners are great in narrow hallways, but they can also be a neat zoning device living rooms. They work most effectively to delineate small pockets, like reading corners – this is a nice example of a runner drawing the eye towards the view beyond.
Ottomans
Ottomans and large footstools can double up as a coffee table when floor space is of a premium. Top them with trays so you can display your treasures but keep everything in a neatly-contained spot.
Pictured: Elbert Ottoman at Rowen & Wren
Low furniture
Low-slung furniture is a great choice if you have heavy cottage ceilings. Having sink-in sofas, low units and drawing the eye downward with patterned or colourful rugs makes a room feel casual with a design nod to the 1970s.
Read more: How to decorate the space above a sofa
Integrated seating
Statement pieces
Painting all over
Painting a small living room – including the ceiling – in an all-over uniform colour blurs its edges and boundaries giving the impression of space. This is particularly effective if you paint woodwork, doorframes, and radiators to match.
Discreet storage
Arranging sofas
Narrow furniture
This homeowner has chosen pieces that are appropriately narrow for a small living room. The ottoman doubles up as a a coffee table, and even the fireplace has been recruited for decorative display.
Anna Logan is the Senior Homes & Style Editor at Country Living, where she has been covering all things home design, including sharing exclusive looks at beautifully designed country kitchens, producing home features, writing everything from timely trend reports on the latest viral aesthetic to expert-driven explainers on must-read topics, and rounding up pretty much everything you’ve ever wanted to know about paint, since 2021. Anna has spent the last seven years covering every aspect of the design industry, previously having written for Traditional Home, One Kings Lane, House Beautiful, and Frederic. She holds a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia. When she’s not working, Anna can either be found digging around her flower garden or through the dusty shelves of an antique shop. Follow her adventures, or, more importantly, those of her three-year-old Maltese and official Country Living Pet Lab tester, Teddy, on Instagram.