My nice niece sent me an e-mail last week looking for some ideas on decorating her yummy chocolate brown accent wall around a new TV, and a one year old baby (he’s adorable). The TV was already mounted on the wall (see before picture below), but it needed some additional elements to function, accent and contrast the wall. I love a decorating challenge, so a couple of quick sketches turned into a bunch, just to see what could be designed and give her some options. Off they went to her. We are still discussing the design and will let you know 
which one she chooses… if any. I thought I’d post them here for anyone that might have the same dilemma…decorating around that flat-screen TV. It seems, you can’t live with them, but you can’t live without them either.
(click on pictures to enlarge)
Here’s a few TV tips I’ll pass on if you’re interested…
If you have a dark/light wall, add some contrasting elements.
Add a credenza or decorative storage piece if you need to store electronic components or toys.
Add a horizontal piece, like a shelf, cabinet, or console to anchor the TV, and keep from floating aimlessly on the wall.
Add some lighting. It washes and accents the wall and other elements, and adds interest.
Add some decorative art, photography, tall branches/bamboo, plates, low plants, low candles etc. , but don’t block the view.
Keep it simple and grouped. Less is more.
What design do you like the best? We’d love to hear any decorative ways you’ve attacked the TV wall.
Happy TV viewing, it’s a part of life!
1. My favorites are pictures 2 &3…with the credenza.
All cool ideas…
Love that chocolate brown wall….
Lots of flatscreens so its good to get some options.
You are amazing!
by Julie — 6/21/09 at 6:46 pm #
2. Hello Julie,
I do like 2 and 3 also. The credenzas are a great addition plus lots of storage and function. My niece mentioned, she wanted to free up more floor space so I thought the floating shelves would still anchor the TV but give her more space. Yes, her chocolate wall is quite dramatic. You’re right, with all the flat screens now, think outside the box and onto the wall.
Thanks for your nice comments, always good to hear from you.
LYC
by Cathy — 6/22/09 at 11:43 pm #
3. Cathy,
Thank you so much for your help! You really gave us some great ideas that we never would have thought of! We also liked the credenza, but we like having the extra space below the TV, plus we didn’t really want to buy another piece of furniture. We ended up going with the floating shelf with a glass vase full of long branches. We also bought several frames and we are still working on putting the right pictures in them and hanging them up.
I was nervous about the white shelf on the wall, and the black frames on the brown wall…but I should know to trust the professional! We went out of our comfort zone and are happy we did, thanks to your inspiration! When we get it finished I will post a picture!
Thanks again!
Rachel (the niece)
by Rachel — 6/25/09 at 10:48 pm #
4. Hey Rachel,
So glad you wrote in. I’m glad you’re going with one of the designs. I think you’ll like it, and it will give you the function and fashion you envisioned for the wall. Yes, it is hard to venture out of our comfort zone, but when you do, your comfort zone becomes larger and open to new horizons. I can’t wait to see the finished wall. Post it when you get it done.
Have fun decorating and hug the baby.
by Cathy — 6/26/09 at 12:16 pm #
5. I love the Home Goods in Massachusetts, Reding Store
I just started to shop there I was always afraid to
go in because I would love to work there.
And I would probably spend my whole paycheck.
.
Happy 2009
Loyal Home Goods Shopper NOW!!
by Susn — 7/4/09 at 3:32 pm #
6. I love the contemporary, modern and transitional versions. Great vision!
by Nichol — 7/4/09 at 9:15 pm #
7. Hey Susn,
I like your style! Yes, once you discover HomeGoods, you’ll be hooked!
I’m glad you’re having fun shopping there.
Thanks for being a fan…who isn’t.
by Cathy — 7/6/09 at 12:49 pm #
8. Hi Nichol,
Thanks for your vote. Those are my favorite too. There are many ways to decorate around the flat screen. Those are just a few that are easy to do.
Thanks for taking the time to write in.
by Cathy — 7/6/09 at 12:56 pm #
9. OMG!! I have had my flat screen on my bare chocolate wall for about almost a year! I love these ideas Im going with the black floating shelves with black and white family photos in them.Also a shelf under my tv with a ivy plant, I will also plan on buying a real nice green tree next to one side of the shelves. I love the ideas! I cant wait to see the turn out.
Thanks sooo much, Monica
by Monica — 10/4/09 at 1:27 pm #
10. Hi Monica,
I’m glad these ideas provided some inspiration for you. Your TV wall sounds beautiful and thought out well.
Enjoy!
by Cathy — 10/5/09 at 12:35 pm #
11. Cathy,
Thanks for sharing your decorating ideas for something as common as a flat tv on a wall. We have a flat tv on a similar wall as your niece in our living room with an 8/12 pitch cathedral ceiling. The only difference is that we have flush in-wall speakers, one left and right, and one on top of the tv. I like your idea of the shelf below the tv(we do not need a credenza), but with the in wall speakers, I’m not quite sure how to arrange other decorating items around them. Any ideas?
Thanks,..John
by John — 11/4/09 at 2:34 pm #
12. Hello John,
Good to talk TV with you. Yes, those wall speakers can mess up a good decorating plan LOL. But, there’s a few ways to decorate around them without blocking them.
Look at the top picture in the blog. The wall has lots of interest and looks nicely designed, but there could still be speakers on the sides and above the TV. Yes, the open branches are in front of the speakers, but the sound would not be diminished. This idea could work for you since you’re looking for a shelf to ground the TV. You could even add a bench or ottoman under the shelf for function, interest, weight and color.
You could simplify the look and add a long shelf under the TV, off center, and set a beautiful large piece of art glass (vase, plate, sculpture) on the shelf to one side. Spotlight it from above for importance.
Add a tall vase, on the off center shelf, with 5-7 tall (5-7 ft.) sticks of thick bamboo. It makes an artistic statement and still provides TV and speakers to function.
I hope one of these works for you. Keep it simple but artistic and interesting…all eyes will be viewing that wall.
Let us know what you come up with.
by Cathy — 11/5/09 at 1:19 pm #
13. Thank you so much for these wonderful ideas. We just bought a new flat screen tv and our walls now look bare after removing our entertainment center. We have cathedral ceilings and I’ve been hunting for ideas that won’t be expensive. Seeing this just opened up my imagination.
by LaTrecee — 11/10/09 at 2:14 pm #
14. You’re so welcome LaTrecee,
I’m happy these ideas might inspire you to design your TV wall. Most of them are pretty inexpensive and easy to pull-off. Draw your wall and play around with different ways to add elements for interest and function. I’m sure you’ll come up with something great. Have fun!
by Cathy — 11/11/09 at 9:35 pm #