How to Decorate a Family Room With a Flat Screen

Integrating a flat-screen TV into your family room can complicate furniture placement and room decor. Whether you decide to mount the TV on the wall or place it on a console, the choices you make about the walls, windows treatments and lighting come into play. Does this Spark an idea?

Instructions

1

Place a sectional or sofas in a grouping that allows for TV viewing and interaction between people when the TV is not on.

2

"Keep the TV at a 90-degree angle to the main windows," suggests the website This Old House. This allows you to enjoy the view without obstruction and this will cut down on the glare as you watch the flat screen during the daylight hours.

3

Paint the walls a rich color to soften the light in the room. A warm color gives the room a soft, pleasant glow when the TV is on.

4

Hang draperies to block out the light, soften the sound effects, and prevent echoes when watching the flat screen. If you have hardwood or tile on the floor, place rugs for the same reason.

5

Install dimmer switches on overhead lights so that you can adjust the lighting to fit how you use the room. When you entertain, dim to soft lighting. When doing tasks such as reading, turn the lights up.

6

Put the TV in a cabinet if you prefer that it not take a focal place in the room. You can use the cabinet to store other entertainment components, such as the DVD player and stereo system.

7

Buy a customized cabinet. A cabinet featured on a segment of the NBC morning show "Today" had a reversible bookshelf with the flat screen mounted on the other side. Alternatively, hire a cabinetmaker to build cabinets around a small television. Store other media equipment and CDs on the extra shelves. Display sculptures or other knickknacks on some of the shelves.

8

Place photos and artwork around the flat screen if you don't place it in a cabinet. This will distract from the look of the big black square on the wall. Frame the flat screen so that it fits into the collage.