Most modern living rooms tend to centre around a large TV screen. Yet, how do we style the space in a way that is both aesthetically pleasing and conducive to a great entertainment experience? To find out, we spoke to two interior stylists who shared their expertise on how to style your living room for top-notch viewing time.
The key to a great viewing experience starts with the right lighting. A living room demands mood lighting, so most designers prefer a dimmer switch. If this can’t be done, lamps are a great alternative. “The best lighting for TV viewing is to have a soft light behind you, not in front of you. I always use lamps for that softer light as opposed to direct light above you,” says designer Mia Lake. “But you don’t want to have a window behind you because it can be hard to see the screen with light coming through.”
Lamps are great to achieve soft, dim lighting that doesn’t interfere with your screen. Picture: Kirill/Unsplash
Lighting will be less impactful on your viewing experience depending on the TV you have. For instance, the Hisense Dual Cell TV uses the latest technology to ensure a high-quality picture, including deeper blacks and more explosive colours, giving even more impact.
Layout
The layout will largely depend on the size and shape of your living room, but there are a few things to consider. “I try not to have the TV as the focal point as soon as you walk into a room,” says Mia. “The other thing is that you want it central to the main sofa.” Ideally, the entrance will be to the side of your screen and your most spacious seating will be positioned square in front of it.
The best layout has your largest seat square in front of the TV. Picture: Michael Oxendine/Unsplash
Mounted vs. Standing
This comes down to personal preference and space available. However, Mia prefers standing TVs. “Because TVs have become so thin, it’s not necessary to do that recess niche in the wall,” she says. “Some TVs have beautiful stands or legs now, so I like to opt for them to sit on furniture.”
When your TV looks this good, it can become part of the decor. Picture: Hisense
Kerena Berry, founder of Designbx, finds that most TVs in the homes she works on are mounted, with inventive ways to incorporate the screen into the decor. “People can collaborate the TV with artworks and turn it into sort of an art gallery wall,” she shares. “Another idea is to keep a family portrait on the TV as a screensaver. It then becomes part of a huge family gallery on the wall.”
Hide Cables
Cords and cables can be an eyesore and a hazard – especially if you have small children. The best way to organise them is through stick-on cable clips. “You can organise the cord so it runs across the TV and down the leg,” Mia notes. “I also then do that to the back of the cabinet and hopefully that hides all your cords!”
If you have a mounted set, you can always disguise the cords by painting plastic cable covers the same colour as your walls. However, Kerena prefers other methods. “You can also sit a beautiful stack of books or a nice plant nearby to disguise them,” she says. “Or get beautiful wood cable boxes or cane baskets – which is a good one because you can thread the cable through it – that look like an ornamental piece.”
Decor
You don’t want to overwhelm the viewing space, but the tip is to ensure your TV isn’t the main sculptural object. “It comes down to how the room is laid out, but I generally like to put a tall lamp or plant to the side so there’s some interest and balance to the items that are sitting [on the cabinet or in the area],” Mia says.
Depending where your TV sits on or above your cabinet, you could cluster some decor together. Picture: Dominika Roseclay/Pexels
“It can be also nice to have a little tray with a plant and a candle, and cluster some objects.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, styling your living room for a great viewing experience requires careful consideration of lighting, layout, and decor. By following these tips and considering your personal preferences and space available, you can create a room that is both aesthetically pleasing and conducive to a great entertainment experience. Remember to keep your TV as a part of the overall decor, rather than the main focal point, and don’t forget to hide those pesky cables. With a little creativity and planning, you can create the perfect space to enjoy your favourite shows and movies.
This article was originally published on 15 Sep 2020 at 3:39pm but has been regularly updated to keep the information current.
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