The Super Big TV Debate
If this weekend has you at odds with your spouse over the layout of your living room, you may not be alone. One of you is likely ravin’ about the 49” monstrosity at Best Buy that they want to purchase and hang above the fireplace. While other spouse complains that they simply want the lion-share of the comfy couch, I can almost guarantee that their chief concern is actually the location of that huge TV.
It’s a common dilemma: The TV. Do we highlight it or hide it?
Although the television was first invented in 1927 by Philo Taylor Farnsworth, a quick google search confirms that it was not until 1960 that 90 percent of American homes had a TV and the average American spent five hours a day watching it. Since that time, marketing for the size, shape and appropriate location of the coveted device has shifted wildly.
One approach has always been the bigger the better and let the TV itself be the star of the show. Convincing advertisements featured scenes of wholesome families in black and white, enjoying time together in front of a proudly displayed square box, antennas atop, in the center of the room. Later the focal point was a large flat screen TV above a cozy fireplace and the modern, colored version of the quintessential family, popcorn in hand, snuggling on a huge grey sectional.
Others have gone to great lengths to hide away the TV over the years, only to be seen when in use. Before the appearance of the flat screens in 1997, this camouflage effort involved hefty armoires, hinged doors, faux bookcases and mirrors, in order to corral the bulky VCRs, consoles and required cords. Motorization provided other options for concealing large screens that would appear and disappear from cabinets, beds, walls and ceilings.
Is it possible to design a room with a TV that is convenient to use and has a separate fantastic focal point? Can we create a beautiful space that is not monopolized by a massive black screen?
Yes! I believe it is possible and there are several good options. Although details and specifics will vary from room to room, I would like to look at three suggestions I have used in recent projects.
First, adjust the TV location, using an articulating mount.
An articulating mount is a TV mount that can move up and down or tilt side to side to provide an ideal viewing setup, even if the TV is stored in a different position when not in use. These mounts allow for a logical seating and furniture placement within a space and then adjust the TV location for viewing within those parameters. The mounts literally lift the TV from the wall and move it up, down, side to side, or even diagonally. Articulating mounts are available from many vendors and come in a wide variety of any articulation configurations and can be motorized.
Second, transform the TV into art with a Samsung Frame TV.
A frame TV is simply a television with an artistic frame that has an anti-glare display and downloadable art, so the screen looks like real artwork that compliments the room. I love the personalization that is possible with this option. Samsung does have the corner market of the Frame TV, but frames and art can be purchased (and free) from various sources. I believe any room can be enhanced with art, so why not personalize that television!
Finally, highlight the TV with LED Light Strips.
The idea with this one is if you can’t hide it, make it a feature and make it awesome. LED light strips connect to your TV using the USB outlet. Using a peel and stick tape-like adhesive, they stick to the plastic on the back of the TV. The lights change colors based on the colors emitted from the TV itself. This option is popular as it provides an added dimension and immersive viewing experience to any given TV show, movie or video game. Perhaps the best part of using LED light strips behind your TV is the ambient lighting they can provide, even while the TV is off.
I must admit, our use of the LED strips in the application below was my first introduction to this product and I was totally impressed. Our trial run of the colors in Lion King had me mesmerized and I am ready to update my own family room after our test run.
However, I won’t likely get that done before Sunday. Bummer… I guess I’ll just get a super big bowl of popcorn and enjoy my TV in the state it’s in.
