Living room TV ideas – 10 ways to style a TV to perfection

Planning beautiful living room TV ideas is no easy feat, but fret not, it is certainly not impossible to create a statement scheme around your TV. 

We've curated a selection of creative solutions to create a living room TV scheme that you can be proud of, whether that be alongside statement artwork, disguised within a wall storage, as part of your TV stand ideas or blending into a dark background. 

Living room TV ideas – provide a place for entertainment without sacrificing style

For most families, a TV is an essential tool for helping adults unwind, keeping the kids entertained, and facilitating cozy movie nights. The problem is, it’s not the prettiest piece of interior decor – when switched off, it’s essentially a large black rectangle. Here, we showcase our favorite living room ideas and small living room TV ideas that cater beautifully to TVs.

1. Have it built bespoke – and painted in one color

Entering this small living room is an immersive experience with the walls, cabinetry, sofa and rug all featuring nuanced hues of teal and aquamarine. 

A bespoke chaise-style sofa makes best use of limited space, while a clever combination of hidden and open storage works beautifully around a TV, which has been built-into the space. 

‘I did a lot of research into old English reading rooms and found that many of them were decorated in just one color, which is incredibly impactful,’ says interior designer Melissa Bolivar from House of Sui Sui. 

2. Keep unsightly wires hidden behind a wall of storage

Technology is an important factor in most living rooms, from Wi-Fi access to background music, and the trend is towards totally concealed solutions. Although many modern systems claim to be wireless, there’s no getting away from charging docks, routers and aerials, all of which require cables. 

To keep these hidden, incorporate dedicated spaces for all the media you use within your small living room storage ideas, specifying small insets in the backs of shelves and cupboards to allow cables to run behind fittings.

If you are fitting a wall of storage that incorporates a space for your TV, allow sufficient room should you decide to invest in a larger model. Try not to create too big a gap, as your TV will look awkwardly small.

3. Hang your TV on a blank wall

If you like to keep your space as fuss-free as possible, then embrace the look of a slimline TV on a simple white living room backdrop. The TV in this space is hardly hidden, but it doesn't look unsightly, in fact, it kind of works with the monochrome scheme.

Use artwork on the adjacent wall – no matter how minimalist your scheme – to soften the look.  

4. Blend your TV into the background

Don't let a TV spoil your living room aesthetic. Here, the TV blends beautifully into the bespoke wood panelling of this white and brown living room without interrupting the earthy aesthetic.

‘We will often do built-in cabinetry to frame the TV, or an enclosed sideboard with shelf options,’ says interior designer Claudia Afshar. ‘This allows you to keep playthings nearby, without compromising aesthetic.’ 

5. Build bespoke cabinetry to fit around a TV

Bespoke cabinetry is brilliant for creating small living room storage ideas that are specifically tailored to your needs. 

A TV in the middle surrounded by storage is a practical solution and can be softened with the addition of books and favorite pieces. Paint your shelving in a statement color to standout rather than hide it away.

'A fitted unit will provide 30 to 40 per cent more storage than a comparable free-standing piece, but the size of the units you choose should depend entirely on the space. Avoid anything too bulky in a small room,’ says Barbara Genda, founder, Barbara Genda Bespoke Furniture.

6. Opt for a freestanding TV stand in a small living room

Modern life requires that the living room of the home fulfil a multitude or functions – from offering somewhere to relax and dine to office space, so well-planned living room TV ideas are the key to a practical scheme. 

If space is at a premium, opt for a striking free-standing TV stand to help ensure this room meets your every need. If there’s one thing that’s going to create the illusion of more space in a small living room, it’s investing in the right, slimline furniture – it can actually make a room feel wider in seconds. 

7. Make it feel part of the current scheme

Do you even notice the TV in this living room? It is most certainly not the first thing we see. Here, the slimline TV has been neatly fitted into a recessed area on the wall. Recessed walls also help to eliminate clutter – perfect for a minimalist living room.

8. Create a space fit for a family

Whether young or old, every member of the household needs family living room ideas that cater to the whole household, and entertainment.

While the first reception room may be the place for more formal living room ideas aimed at hosting guests, a family room is the part of the house where movie nights reign supreme, so position a TV front and center for a true viewing pleasure. 

9. Give a TV prime position in a living room

For a true cinematic experience, give your TV prominent placement in your open-plan living room. Incorporate a plethora or seating options for the whole family. 

‘You need different kinds of seating,’ says interior designer Linda Eyles. ‘Sofas and lounge chairs – swivels are great – are obvious choices, but it is also good to have a couple of smaller, more upright chairs if possible. Not everyone wants to sink into a low, deep sofa.’ 

10. Turn your TV into a piece of art

'The best way to camouflage your TV is to invest in a framed version that acts as a piece of art whilst not in use,' says Jen & Mar, the duo behind Interior Fox. 

'It can be used as one large piece of art that discretely sits within the scheme, or can be integrated into a gallery wall. Best of all they come the slimline design comes with a choice of frames from black, white or wood, meaning your TV will never again be an eyesore.'

Where is the best place to put a TV in the living room?

A family room or living room is the ideal place to put a TV, as opposed to a bedroom. 

Think outside the box, and consider ways you can disguise a TV. Built-in cabinetry that allows you to hide away the TV behind sliding doors is one option, or you can get creative by investing in a unit that doubles as a TV – and a space to display digital art and photography. Remember, the best TV in living rooms, are the ones that suit your individual needs, so don't be swayed by any one else.