How To Get The Look Of A Luxurious TV Frame With Budget-Friendly Washi Tape

If you're a fan of browsing through picture-perfect homes on Instagram, chances are you've seen a picture frame TV, the beautiful TV sets with a border like a picture frame. Frame TVs have an elegant design and transform into a piece of art when you're not watching. TikTok has been replicating the framed TV look for a while, with projects such as turning the TV into a literal piece of art with wood. These low-cost projects help give you the visual appearance of a Samsung Frame TV, which can cost upwards of $1,000. If you want that high-value look for a low price, turn to TikTok where clever DIYers have figured out how to get the look for less with gold washi tape.

This DIY project is even more budget-friendly than many other frame TV hacks and requires no special tools, just some washi tape and a pair of scissors. If you're new to washi tape and haven't explored its versatility, washi tape is a roll of decorative tape. It's a hero of DIY renter-friendly decor hacks because you can use to accent nearly anything in your house plus it's affordable. Washi tape is sold in a variety of designs including metallic sheens, perfect for creating this framed TV look. You can easily do this hack on a weekend, and have a framed TV in the same amount of time that it may take you to pick out a show to stream.

If you don't have gold washi tape in your crafting stash, you'll need a roll, plus a pair of scissors, and a measuring tape or ruler.  TikTok videos often reference using Syntego Solid Foil Washi Tape, and another option reviewers recommend using on TVs is the NatSumeBasics Gold Metallic Washi Tape. Start by measuring the thickness of the bezel, or border around your TV screen, as these can vary in size. You want to make sure you use washi tape of the right width, or you may need to trim it to fit. 

Before you adhere the tape to your TV bezel, you need to find the location of the remote sensor, which lets your TV communicate with your remote. This is essential for functions like changing the channel, power on/off, and volume control. Your TV might also feature a light sensor, an infrared-sensitive spot that examines the light amount in the room and adjusts the TV brightness for better viewing. You don't want to block these sensors or your TV might not work properly with the remote or lighting settings! Many light sensors are in the back of the TV. However, some TV brands like Sony include them in the bottom front of the TV. Once you determine the sensors' location, mark and cut an appropriately-sized notch in the tape so you don't cover them. 

Now it's time to try your hand at this smart way of making your TV blend with your living room decor. Trace your TV bezel with the washi tape, going slowly and pressing it down to stick. Washi tape is easy to reposition, so if you put it too far off the edge, just adjust and try again. Double-check to make sure you don't cover the sensor, and viola! You're done. Now it's time to enjoy the oh-so-chic look of your TV with an episode of your favorite shows or a movie.

If you want to go further with this wall art look, use a cord cover to hide your TV wires, if you haven't already, and paint it to match your wall color. It will help your TV blend into your living room for the full art-like effect. You can also search YouTube for various "TV art screensavers" that feature pictures with or without music similar to a computer's screensaver. Keeping a fixed image on your TV for too long can cause the image to burn into the screen, so subtle movement and rotation is key.