TV wall decoration: 9 steps to a calm and functional setup

Write the usage scenario before decoration

The first decision for decoration behind the television is not the color of the panel, but how this wall is used during the day. Is the living room just a place to watch TV series in the evenings, or are game consoles, music systems, modems, books and daily storage also collected here? The application, which starts without writing down the number of devices, socket needs and items that need to be stored, produces cable piles and boxes that fill the surface in a short time.

Measure the wall width, ceiling height, distance between the seat and the screen, door opening, and the hours the sun hits the screen. Then determine three separate layers: the safe location of the screen, the location of technical equipment and the decorative surface. This sequence reduces the risk of purchasing a TV unit that looks nice but the device cover does not open or has a narrow passage.

How to determine screen height and viewing distance?

Moving the screen closer to the ceiling, such as a fireplace table, will tire the neck during long viewing periods. Mark the natural eye level of your seat on the wall; A more comfortable view occurs when the middle part of the screen is close to this line. Since seat height, screen size and personal use may vary, it is safer to rehearse with the actual sitting position rather than a fixed centimeter rule.

Base viewing distance on the display manufacturer's recommendation. If you are going to buy a new screen, first plan the wall according to the seating distance, not the television. A very large screen does not only create visual weight in a small living room; It also causes the adjacent panels, consoles and accessories to grow unnecessarily. A simple but effective control is to tape a screen-sized cardboard template to the wall and observe it for a few days.

• Control screen center from seating position
• Test the reflection of windows and lamps day and night
• Verify the bearing capacity and wall type of the wall hanger

Color and material balance on the TV wall

The closed television surface is perceived as a dark, bright and large rectangle. Setting very high contrast in the background emphasizes this shape even more. Warm off-white, light stone, matte greige or smoky earth tones soften the screen. If you are going to use a dark background, instead of making the entire wall heavier, define a controlled area behind the screen and keep the remaining surfaces lighter.

Using marble-looking plates, wooden slats, colorful paint, shiny metal and busy shelving systems on the same wall can tire the living room. One main material and a single supporting texture looks more professional. If wood adds warmth, keep the console simple; If the stone texture is prominent, reduce the number of shelves and accessories. Evaluate samples with the display off or on.

How much wooden lath and wall panel should be used?

Vertical slat is one of the most sought-after solutions behind the television because it creates rhythm towards the ceiling and helps hide cable channels. However, dense slats covering the entire wall can create a buzzing pattern in a small living room. Using the bar as an asymmetric band on one side of the screen, a limited surface that follows the width of the console, or as the background of a niche gives a more restrained result.

When choosing a panel, not only color and pattern, but also fire class, cleanability, acoustic behavior and installation style should be asked. Leave an air gap around heat-producing devices. Before using adhesive in a rental house, test a small area to see if the surface will remove the paint when removed. Note that the maintenance needs of real wood, veneer and printed panel are not the same.

How to solve cables, sockets and device ventilation without being seen?

The secret of professional-looking television walls is not so much the expensive materials as the invisible technical details. Placing electricity, internet, antenna and HDMI lines into the wall before the device placement is finalized may cause problems in the future. First, mark on the drawing the connection points of the television, the hanging bracket, the orientation of the devices on the console and the covers that will be accessed during service.

If you do not want to break the wall, paintable cable duct, vertical passage in the shade behind the console or accessible space behind the panel can be used. Do not close modems, game consoles and media boxes in completely airless closets. Leave a vent on the cover, an opening on the back panel, and space around the device in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. If changes to the electrical line are required, get support from a qualified electrician.

How to install TV backlight without eye strain?

The soft light behind the screen can make it easier for the eye to adapt to the brightness difference in the dark; However, the purpose is not to make a color show on the wall. A line of light that is warm or neutral white, appears uninterrupted and does not shine directly into the eye, looks calmer. Move the LED strip back so it is not visible from the edge of the screen and keep the brightness dimmable.

Dropping a spotlight directed at the ceiling onto the screen creates a reflection on the glass surface. Instead, layer it with a wall-washing sconce, a light dash under the console, or a floor lamp in another corner of the room. Use low-level ambient lighting instead of turning off all lights in the evening when the television is on. Also check the heating conditions of the cables and adapters before installation.

TV unit size and indoor storage

Having the console slightly wider than the screen visually balances the dark rectangle at the top. A unit that is too short will make the screen appear floating, while wall-to-wall cabinetry can create a heavy block in a small living room. Furniture raised above the floor makes vacuuming easier and makes the space look spacious; However, the bearing capacity of the wall and the mounting hardware must be suitable for this.

Plan indoor storage for remote controls, cables, gaming equipment, and small everyday items. Reserve the open shelf for a few items you really want to display. Door handles, appliance sensors and the passage of the robot vacuum cleaner must not interfere with each other. If a console is to be made, calculate the internal dimensions not only with the width of the device but also with the depth required for the plug and cable bend.

The most common mistakes in accessory placement

Filling both sides of the television symmetrically with vases, frames and lamps of the same size makes the screen more visible. Using a tall but thin plant on one side and a low ceramic group on the other creates a more natural balance. Do not place accessories so close that they touch the display frame; Leaving space around the dark surface relaxes the whole composition.

Small charts hung above the screen often create scale issues and are distracting while viewing. You can move the artwork to the side wall, to the empty space above the console, or to another focal point of the living room. Instead of many objects collecting dust, a group of three items of different heights is sufficient. Do not place candles and heat-emitting accessories near electronics.

Implementation plan that puts the budget in the right order

Allocate the budget first for electricity and wiring, then for secure hanging, then for console and lastly for decorative covering. If the existing wall is smooth, a strong result can be achieved with just matte paint, good cable management and a correctly sized second-hand console. It is not necessary to add slats or panels. View the paint and material sample in at least two different lights before moving on to the larger surface.

When the application is finished, turn the screen on and off, check the operation of the controls, the full opening of the covers, the heating of the devices and the passage area again. The result that looks good in the photo should also be comfortable in daily life. Relate TV unit decoration decisions to the wood, fabric and metal tones in the rest of the living room; Aim for a cohesive room rather than a stand-alone display wall.

Related guides: Guide to using wood tones together