Use TikTok's Clever Tip To Make Your TV Blend Perfectly Into Your Living Room

Televisions are often a contentious subject when it comes to home design circles. While some designers banish the TV to other rooms, others craftily hide the television in other pieces of furniture or use frame TVs that masquerade as wall art when not in use. TikTok user @fangshwhy however, recently posed some great suggestions on low or no-cost ways to minimize the unsightly screen that will work in any room. They include the artful use of paint or other art objects and decor to minimize the television as a focal point. 

These design hacks work in any room, large or small. No matter the size and variety of television you are working with, or whether it sits on a console or is mounted to the wall. Since frame TVs can cost several hundred dollars, and furniture designed to hide sets is not only pricey but also takes up valuable real estate in smaller rooms, these suggestions may save you a lot of money and angst. 

The best way to deal with your TV, without actually shutting it behind doors, is to hide it in plain sight. @fangshwhy suggests that a great approach to minimize the gaping black screen is to paint the wall around it black. Not only does the wall itself become a focal point, particularly in an otherwise light room, but the television blends more seamlessly into the color of the wall when not in use. It also creates a more luxe, theater-style distraction-free view when in use.

If the idea of a black wall is too dark or dramatic, other deep shades will also work to minimize its presence. Dark gray, browns, or shades like deep navy and forest green are great options. You can also limit the amount of wall you paint, by creating small accent arches, squares, and other shapes with paint. You can choose to paint only parts of the wall, which creates a bold and contemporary look, particularly when paired with picture molding. Wallpaper is another great way to minimize the impact of the TV allowing another decor element to grab the focus. Painting your cabinet or counsel black can have a similar effect to camouflaging the set. 

Whatever the color of your wall, there are some other great ways to minimize the television as a focal point using other objects and art. Creating a gallery wall around your TV  is a great way to draw attention to the whole wall instead of the set. This works with frame TVs, or with wall-mounted or freestanding sets, with the visual emphasis falling on the configuration as a whole rather than separate parts. 

@fangshwhy suggests you also use asymmetry to minimize the set. Instead of placing the set in the middle of the wall, place it off to the side, using the other side of the wall to hang large pieces of art or a gallery wall. This will draw the eye elsewhere than the television so that it will not be the first thing you encounter in the room. Since the TV is likely to be the largest piece on the wall, use other larger and smaller pieces of art to balance. You can also use non-2-D pieces like sconces and wall planters to create asymmetry.