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Streamline your home tech and maximise on space
A well-thought-out TV wall can make all the difference to movie nights (nothing beats a widescreen cinematic experience) while serving practical living needs too.
Once turned off, television screens can sometimes be an eyesore, even more so if unsightly wires or cables are on show which ruin the aesthetics. But there are some clever and stylish TV wall ideas (which you can browse below) to help conceal your TV or seamlessly blend it into your living space. Though it certainly helps that technology has also developed in recent years, and TVs can now become pieces of art – the Samsung Frame being a prime example – which turns your TV into a picture frame when not in use.
A contemporary choice is a media wall, which enables you to mount a flatscreen television onto the wall to display other media, including speakers, gaming consoles and record players. Typically, but not always, a media wall is fitted above a pre-existing fireplace or with a new inset fireplace. Seek professional advice on installation, stud walls and electrics. Media walls are also brilliant storage solutions because it contains all your entertainment devices in one place. Media walls can take up a lot of space but they are customisable so it can work in more compact rooms with the right design. They are costly however, with installation prices ranging from £2,000 - £4,000, according to Checkatrade.
A more popular TV wall idea is to recess a television within built-in cabinetry. 'Incorporating your TV within a unit allows the technology to blend into the room scheme, so that the TV is not the central focus of the room,' says Natalie Murray-Hurst, interior designer at Murray Hurst interiors. It's especially useful in a small living room as it helps to streamline and organise an area, while making the most of alcoves and really maximising vertical (floor to ceiling) wall space.
Not keen on bespoke units or a media wall? You might just want to simply mount a TV on a wall or use a stand to make a feature of a backdrop (i.e. wallpaper or a clever paint effect) that will add interest to your room in a cohesive way. It's a cost effective option too. In this case, invest in cable trunking and cable tidy boxes to hide unsightly wires.
From savvy built-in solutions to stylish backdrops, these TV wall ideas will transform your living space.
The problem with a large television is that it tends to draw the eye wherever it's placed. The solution used here is to treat it as one element within a larger composition. The XL artwork hanging above gives the eye something more interesting to look at, while smaller framed pieces to either side integrate it into what reads as a considered gallery wall arrangement.
Here, a continuous run of joinery – slatted panels behind the screen, flanked by open shelves and low cupboards – frames the television not as an intrusion but as the main event.
'Mounting your television on the wall is not only the most space-saving option but eliminates clutter on the floor so your living room can remain a sanctuary,' says Alan Whyte, managing director at Loewe UK. 'Plus you can tilt, turn and manoeuvre the screen to ensure a perfect view at all times of day.'
Pictured: Manhattan Media Unit at Sharps
Daniel Matthews of @a.modest.semi created this clever DIY TV wall hack using a shutter-style MDF board that looks like an oil painting when closed, folding open to reveal a TV deftly hidden behind it.
One of the simplest ways to neutralise a television is to paint the wall behind it the same colour as the screen. Here, it sits neatly in an alcove blending into the background rather than clamouring for attention. The two-tone approach and the symmetry of the alcoves add a sense of order, ensuring that the television, for all its bulk, is just one element of a balanced whole.
Pictured: Project by Bespoke Carpentry London
This storage unit, painted in Boringdon Green by Little Greene, is the perfect hybrid solution – neatly stacked books frame the TV, which takes a central position.
'When the homeowner moved into this flat, there was no storage and she struggled to find fitted furniture due to the sloping walls. With the built-in cupboards and shelving, it gave the space more character, a focal point and plenty of space to store books,' says Tonie Pepperstreet, lead designer at Bespoke Carpentry London.
Pictured: Project by Bespoke Carpentry London
Dark wood panelling makes an attractive backdrop that can draw attention away from your TV. This wooden feature wall adds character and brings much warmth to the room. It's a practical consideration too – panelling sits on top of your walls adding a sound-absorbing layer.
In a living room with a prominent chimney breast, it is common to find the TV looming large over the fireplace. In this fabulous inky blue space designed by Studio Dean, it is instead tucked away in bespoke alcove storage unit, designed with a large compartment to hold the TV and shelves above for decoration.
Pictured: Project by Studio Dean
In compact spaces, it’s easy for one or two features to stand out – whilst this is great for a patterned sofa or armchair, you might not want your TV to be such a statement. A clever hack from Topology Interiors is to use a Samsung Picture TV (shown here) that has a realistic frame and displays artwork when not in use.
This rich burgundy media unit is bold and eye-catching. Note the matching wall lights on either side of the TV – it's a lovely way to build on a layered lighting scheme and add ambience in the evening.
'The room had nothing in it and lacked storage space or any interesting features,' says Tonie. 'This built-in media unit really transformed the space into a cosy living room with enough space to put their favourite books, vases and ceramics.'
Pictured: Project by Bespoke Carpentry London
Proof that a TV doesn't have to dominate a living room, this joyful space is full of character, perfectly blending colour, pattern and texture. The TV here is positioned in the corner of the room within an existing unit – it's unassuming and framed by books and ornaments on open shelves above.
Pictured: Marianne fabric, Faye cushions, both Cathy Nordström
Recessing the television into the wall rather than mounting it proud of the surface makes a considerable difference — the screen sits in shadow, framed by the surrounding plaster, and loses much of the visual insistence. The bespoke, floor-to-ceiling joinery further draws the eye away, so the screen in this context becomes almost incidental.
Pictured: Project by Topology Interiors
The underlying principle in this glamorous living room is straightforward – a television does well with lots of company.
'When encasing a TV in joinery, it’s important to ensure there is good ventilation so the unit does not get too hot,' advises Niloufar Lamakan, interior designer at Nila Design.
If you have a compact space, use floating furniture to frame your TV. This eye-catching design consists of strategically placed floating storage above and below the TV, creating a quirky frame.
'Wall-mounting your TV can be a fantastic way to create an uncluttered, modern look in the home,' says Grant Robertson, interior design leader at Ikea UK and Ireland. 'Start by deciding where you want to put the television in the room, testing out different heights and angles to find the perfect viewing experience.'
Pictured: TV & media storage, Ikea
You need to consider the layout of your room as ultimately this will impact where your TV will be positioned, and whether you have sufficient wall space on either side. 'Ideally you want your screen out of the way of high traffic areas to avoid it being knocked or your view disturbed by people walking past the screen,' says Alan Whyte, managing director at Loewe UK.
Other than the location, key considerations include light or sun exposure which could impact viewing quality: 'If you’re watching television during the day, you may find sunlight is having an impact on your TV’s colour, brightness and sharpness,' Alan adds.
Importantly, always consider your cables, says Gary Walmsley, managing director at Designer Walls: 'Often modern TVs only require power as they work on Wi-Fi – a recessed box behind the TV is very helpful when tidying up cables. If there are more cables such as HDMI etc., then a trucking in the wall is recommended.'
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