This blog post is about “Where to place your TV in a small living room?”

There are many considerations when deciding where to put a TV in a living room. Ultimately, it will depend on three main things: the size and shape of your living room area, your TV, and other furniture in your space.

Some people seem to enjoy the look of a black TV screen dominating the wall. Others regard a wall-mounted TV as necessary equipment and treat it like an afterthought. But interior designers and home decorators who consider a wall-mounted TV nothing short of an eyesore are always looking for creative ways to decorate around this common design dilemma.

There are many ways to help camouflage a wall-mounted TV so that it doesn’t spoil your decor, from choosing a picture frame design (like Samsung’s Frame TV) that turns into a work of art when not in use, to choosing a mirror with an integrated TV, to all manner of cover-ups such as sliding cabinet doors or curtains.

But if you are looking for ways to integrate a visible flat screen more seamlessly into your space without compromising your decor, here are some designer ideas that might do the trick.

Creative Small Living Room TV Ideas

Check out these designer ideas to help make your small living room TV less of an eyesore.

Make It Blend Into the Wall

One of the most effective ways to make a TV disappear visually is by painting the wall behind it a dark color, especially black. This technique works particularly well in modern or minimalist interiors where clean lines and seamless visual flow are key. A black-painted wall creates a low-contrast backdrop that causes the TV to visually recede when not in use. Pairing it with a black console or cabinetry further helps disguise the screen, especially when the rest of the room is kept in lighter tones like white or soft wood finishes.

This creates a graphic contrast that is more about design than technology. For example, Sissy + Marley used jet-black paint to ground the TV while balancing it with surrounding white and pale wood finishes. The result is a color-blocked visual that draws the eye without highlighting the screen itself. This technique is not only aesthetically pleasing but also budget-friendly, requiring nothing more than a can of paint and some strategic styling.

Layer the Mantel With Art

Instead of letting the TV dominate the fireplace area, use it as a component of a larger decorative story. Mounting the TV above the mantel is common, but it doesn’t have to be the sole focal point. Surround it with framed artwork, mirrors, or decorative objects to create a gallery wall effect. Designer Erin Williamson recommends this approach to make the TV feel intentional and integrated. Adding a shelf or console table below further grounds the composition and makes it feel like a curated vignette rather than a tech feature.

This layered approach works especially well in eclectic or art-forward spaces, where visual richness is a design priority. Even in minimalist homes, strategically placed artwork can lend a thoughtful balance to the space. The key is to choose pieces that relate in tone or palette to the rest of the room, so the overall look feels harmonious. By giving equal visual weight to both tech and art, you create a more balanced and livable room.

Distract With Wallpaper

Bold wallpaper can serve as a stylish distraction from a wall-mounted TV, especially in small spaces where every inch counts. A colorful or highly patterned wallpaper draws attention to itself, making the black screen of the TV feel less prominent. In a space designed by LA Designer Affair, wallpaper acts almost like a competing artwork, taking the focus off the fireplace-mounted television. When the TV is off, the wallpaper becomes the star, ensuring that the room never feels empty or centered around a blank screen.

This tactic is perfect for those who love expressive decor and aren’t afraid of using pattern or color. Choose a wallpaper that complements your furniture and adds personality to the room. Floral motifs, geometric prints, or textured grasscloth all work well. Just make sure the pattern doesn’t clash with the size or position of the TV balance is essential. If done well, wallpaper can transform your small living room into a design-forward space that hides your screen in plain sight.

Paint the Wall Dark

If black feels too stark or dramatic, try painting the wall behind the TV in a dark, moody hue like navy, charcoal, forest green, or chocolate brown. These rich tones provide the same camouflaging effect without the harshness of pure black. For instance, Brexton Cole Interiors used a dark navy shade on a shiplap fireplace wall, making the TV feel more integrated while still maintaining warmth and texture in the room. This approach allows the television to fade into the background without feeling cold or overly modern.

Dark colors also bring a cozy, intimate ambiance to a small living room, which is ideal for movie nights or relaxing evenings. Pair your dark wall with layered textures like soft throws, plush rugs, or velvet cushions to prevent the space from feeling heavy. The goal is to create a cocooning atmosphere where the TV is present but not demanding all the attention. This strategy works well in both traditional and contemporary interiors, depending on the color and styling choices.

Try a Frame TV

A Frame TV is a stylish solution that doubles as digital art when not in use, making it perfect for small living rooms where every visual detail matters. Designed to look like a picture frame, these TVs can display a variety of artwork, from classic paintings to modern photography, turning your black screen into a beautiful focal point. Blogger Liz Marie used a Frame TV over her mantel and enhanced the illusion with a picture light above it, creating the appearance of a classic framed artwork.

This option is particularly great for design-conscious homeowners who don’t want the TV to interrupt the aesthetic of the space. You can change the displayed art to suit the seasons or your mood, adding versatility to your decor. The Frame TV works seamlessly in both traditional and modern interiors, and when paired with a stylish frame bezel, it becomes virtually indistinguishable from a real piece of art. It’s a tech-savvy yet visually elegant solution for small living spaces.

Decorate the Opposite Wall

To balance out a TV-dominated wall in a small living room, consider giving equal importance to the opposite wall. In a narrow or railroad-style layout, placing a large piece of artwork directly across from the TV helps shift visual attention and creates a sense of equilibrium. Heather Hilliard Design demonstrates this by using a painting that is larger than the television, reinforcing that the room is about more than just screen time.

This technique brings an artful balance to the room, reducing the dominance of the TV and allowing other visual elements to shine. Use a piece that introduces color, texture, or pattern to further pull the eye away from the screen. You can even add sconces or floating shelves beneath the artwork to complete the look. This method is especially effective in spaces where mounting the TV off-center or disguising it isn’t an option due to layout constraints.

Backlight the Built-Ins

Adding backlighting to the shelving or cabinetry that frames your TV is a subtle yet effective way to shift focus away from the screen. Kendall Wilkinson Design used soft, ambient lighting behind built-ins to create a warm halo effect around the TV. This helps reduce the harsh contrast between a dark screen and its surroundings, making the overall setup more visually harmonious. It also contributes to a layered lighting scheme, which is crucial in small living rooms where natural light might be limited.

Backlit built-ins are not only functional but also enhance the mood of the space. When the TV is off, the soft glow highlights decor objects, books, or plants on nearby shelves, giving the room a cozy and curated look. This design technique works well with both recessed LED strips and battery-powered puck lights. It’s a relatively simple upgrade that can dramatically elevate your TV wall while making the space feel more inviting.

Create a Wall Niche

Designing a recessed wall niche for your TV is a stylish and space-efficient solution. Laura Brophy Interiors created a custom setup featuring closed cabinetry below the TV to hide clutter and open shelving on either side to display decorative objects. The TV itself sits within a perfectly proportioned niche, backed by a subtle patterned wall that adds texture and interest. This layered effect draws the eye across the entire display rather than focusing solely on the screen.

A niche helps define the TV’s place in the room without letting it overwhelm the design. It’s ideal for small living rooms because it offers both visual structure and functional storage. Consider adding wallpaper, wood paneling, or a painted accent inside the niche to further differentiate it from the rest of the wall. With the right materials and layout, this feature can become a signature design element in your home.

Don’t Make It a Focal Point

In many small living rooms, the TV is automatically treated as the centerpiece, but that doesn’t have to be the case. In a clever design by LA Designer Affair, the TV wall is balanced by bold design elements on an adjacent wall, including custom blue paneling and striking artwork. Decorative baskets hung above the TV guide the eye upward, creating vertical movement and diluting the TV’s visual dominance.

By incorporating adjacent focal points, you allow the TV to function without becoming the star of the show. This method works especially well when you have strong architectural or decorative features like accent walls, artwork, or even plants. The goal is to keep the viewer’s eye moving around the room rather than fixated on a single black rectangle. It’s a great strategy for making a small space feel dynamic and thoughtfully styled.

Add Wall Texture

Textured walls provide visual interest and can make a mounted TV feel more integrated into the space. Laura Brophy Interiors created a stunning example by using black wood slats on a fireplace wall, with a Frame TV mounted above the firebox. The texture adds depth and dimension, making the wall a design feature in itself. The TV, especially when displaying art, looks like part of the composition rather than an afterthought.

Wall treatments such as slatted wood, brick, stone veneer, or even 3D wallpaper can soften the starkness of a flat screen. These materials introduce a tactile element that draws the eye, helping to visually balance the presence of the TV. This approach is especially effective in minimalist spaces where every element must serve a purpose. It’s a creative way to add character and warmth to a compact living area.

Keep It Minimal

A minimalist approach to TV placement is often the most effective in a small living room. In a design by Cathie Hong Interiors, a large flat screen is mounted on a blank white wall with minimal distraction. A pale wood console beneath it adds warmth and subtle visual interest without overwhelming the space. This setup emphasizes simplicity and clean lines, allowing the room to breathe and avoiding visual clutter.

To enhance this minimalist setup, bring in soft textures and colors through accessories like rugs, throw pillows, and curtains. Incorporate one or two art pieces or indoor plants to soften the look without compromising the pared-back aesthetic. This method is particularly appealing to those who appreciate Scandinavian or Japandi-style interiors, where function meets form in the most understated way. The TV becomes a part of the background, never detracting from the calm, serene vibe of the room.

Make It Part of a Vignette

Incorporating your TV into a curated vignette is a stylish way to soften its presence. Cathie Hong Interiors embraced this strategy in a Japandi-style living room, where the TV sits in a cozy nook alongside wall-mounted lighting, plants, and small decorative objects. The combination creates a balanced composition where the screen is just one element of a larger, thoughtfully arranged scene.

This technique works especially well in small spaces where multi-functionality is key. By surrounding the TV with decor that reflects your personality and style, it feel more like an intentional design choice rather than a necessity. Consider layering in items like stacked books, small framed art, and trailing plants. This not only adds depth to your media wall but also invites the eye to explore rather than fixate on the screen.

Hang It Off Center

TVs don’t always have to be perfectly centered on a wall or above a fireplace. Placing the TV off-center can help it feel more like a background element. A great example is a bold, maximalist room by Forbes + Masters where the TV is built into custom millwork instead of being placed front and center. Mirrored ceilings, chandeliers, and lacquered finishes steal the spotlight, making the TV a secondary player in the overall design.

This layout is especially effective in rooms filled with bold design choices. If your room features statement furniture, rich color palettes, or vibrant artwork, an off-center TV placement can help maintain a balanced composition. You can further minimize its presence by flanking it with shelving or using symmetrical decor to draw attention elsewhere. It’s a confident design move that can make your living room feel more curated and less screen-centric.

Add Custom Shelving

Custom shelving around the TV can make a small living room feel both stylish and functional. Designer Gabriele Pizzale created a taupe-colored wall unit that houses a flat screen along with art and decor. The shelves soften the TV’s presence, while built-in drawers provide necessary storage without adding bulk to the space. The muted color palette allows the entire unit to recede visually, creating a seamless, integrated look.

This strategy is particularly effective in open-plan spaces where the living room flows into other areas. By anchoring the TV within a multipurpose shelving unit, you create a focal wall that serves multiple functions: display, storage, and entertainment. Use open shelves for books, framed photos, and sculptural pieces, and keep clutter hidden in the closed cabinetry. The result is a space that feels thoughtfully designed and highly livable.

Hang It on a Concrete Wall

Using a concrete wall or concrete-look finish as a backdrop for your TV creates a sleek and modern aesthetic. In a room by Gray Space Interiors, a wall-mounted TV shares space with a contemporary fireplace, both set against a concrete-effect wall. The material provides a raw, industrial vibe while adding texture and depth. The contrast between the smooth screen and rugged surface enhances the overall visual appeal.

This technique is perfect for urban or loft-style interiors. If real concrete isn’t feasible, consider concrete-effect wallpaper or wall panels to mimic the look. The subtle irregularities of the finish help disguise the TV’s flatness and draw attention to the wall as a design feature. This creates a layered, sophisticated environment that balances form and function.

Distract With Greenery

Bringing greenery into your TV area is an easy way to distract from the screen while adding a natural touch. Emily Henderson Design demonstrates this beautifully with a large vase of leafy branches placed near the TV. The organic shape and vibrant color of the foliage provide movement and life, softening the TV’s harsh lines and adding a calming element to the space.

Plants work wonders in small living rooms, where hard surfaces and limited space can make the area feel cold. Strategically placing greenery around your TV not only helps conceal it but also enhances the overall ambiance. Try using hanging plants, tall potted trees, or small tabletop arrangements to keep the eye engaged. Plus, plants improve air quality, making your media zone more pleasant in every way.

FAQs

1. How can I make my TV blend into my living room decor?

Blending your TV into your decor starts with considering the wall it’s mounted on. Painting the wall in a dark shade, such as charcoal, navy, or deep green, can help the TV recede visually. For a more integrated look, place the TV within a gallery wall or surround it with art, shelves, or plants so it feels like part of a larger design composition. Frame TVs are also an excellent option, they display customizable art when the screen is off, making them look like real paintings.

Incorporating similar colors and finishes throughout the room can help make the TV less of a standout. For example, pairing a black TV with a dark console or cabinetry creates a cohesive and intentional design. The key is to ensure the TV complements the space rather than competes with it.

2. Is mounting a TV above the fireplace a good idea?

Mounting a TV above the fireplace can save space and create a central viewing spot, but it’s not always ideal. The heat from the fireplace may damage electronics over time, and the elevated position can strain your neck, especially in small rooms. To make it work, consider using a tilting or articulating mount that angles the TV downward for more comfortable viewing.

If you’re set on this layout, treat the fireplace wall as a feature wall. Use decorative materials like stone, tile, or wallpaper to add character, and balance the look with symmetrical shelves or sconces. Just be sure to maintain safe distances from heat sources and follow installation guidelines.

3. What are some creative ways to hide a TV in a small living room?

Creative concealment solutions include sliding panels, artwork that lifts or moves, or custom cabinetry with retractable doors. You could also try a mirror-TV hybrid or install a rotating bookshelf that hides the screen when not in use. Frame TVs are another stylish option that lets you disguise the screen as art.

In smaller spaces, even simple tricks like mounting the TV inside a dark-colored niche or surrounding it with decor can reduce its impact. Think creatively with furniture console tables, shelving units, or even vintage armoires can double as TV storage with a bit of customization.

4. How can I minimize the look of a black screen in my living room?

A black screen can be a visual eyesore, especially when the TV is off. To minimize its presence, use color and contrast to your advantage. Mount it on a dark wall, use a black media console, or opt for built-in units in similar tones. Surrounding the TV with art or shelves helps it feel like part of a curated display rather than a lone tech feature.

You can also soften the look with lighting and accessories. Install ambient lighting, such as sconces or backlighting, to draw attention to the entire wall rather than just the screen. Incorporating texture, like wood slats or fabric panels, can create a more layered and visually appealing backdrop.

5. Should I place my TV in the center of the living room?

Placing the TV in the center isn’t a design requirement, especially in small living rooms where maximizing space and aesthetics is key. Designers often recommend placing it off-center, integrating it into a shelving unit, or disguising it within a gallery wall to reduce its visual dominance.

Instead of treating the TV as the room’s focal point, balance it with other decor elements, such as artwork, furniture groupings, or a statement wall. This approach helps create a more versatile, multi-functional space where the TV serves its purpose without taking over the entire room.

Conclusion

A TV may be a practical necessity in your living room, but it doesn’t have to dictate the style of your space. With thoughtful design strategies, you can integrate your screen seamlessly into your decor, whether that means blending it into a dark wall, concealing it with cabinetry, or making it part of a larger vignette. The key lies in treating your TV as just one element of the room, not the main attraction.

From clever built-ins and gallery walls to ambient lighting and greenery, there are countless ways to ensure your TV adds to the aesthetic instead of detracting from it. By experimenting with color, texture, placement, and styling, you can achieve a balanced look that enhances both form and function. Whether you’re aiming for modern minimalism or cozy charm, there’s a creative solution to suit your small living room’s size, layout, and personality.