Flat Screens on Wallpaper

We have our tv and associated electronics (game systems, tivo, dvd) in a conveniently located closet in our living room - we love that we can simply close the folding doors and hide it all away when we are through watching and/or playing. The closet set-up also saved us from having to "decorate" with a flat screen...

... which involves so many questions : put it on a tabletop surface, in a cabinet, hang it on the wall? Make it a focal point, decorate "around" it, hang it above the fireplace?

We've seen all of these approaches done in the past, some more successfully than others, but one idea we haven't seen as much of is the placement of a flat screen tv on or in front of a patterned wallpaper wall. We think these three photos illustrate a good solution to the flat screen decor dilemma - the use of such a bold pattern makes a much "bigger" design statement than the flat screen, rendering it less intrusive to the overall room design and especially on the dark wallpaper, the big black "box" is somewhat camouflaged by the pattern and color.

What do you think? An elegant solution or just too much for the tv area?

Images: From Min Hembio via Home-Designing

Comments (12)

I like it, but wonder if the heat from the TV isn't a problem for the wallpaper, either in terms of fading or peeling. When you move, will the next tenant will be left with an unsightly mess in the middle of the wall?

posted by Lisa (Montreal) on August 10th 2009 at 10:27am
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We have ours on black on black wallpaper and I was surprised at just how nifty it looks. Really makes the screen pop out when it's on.

posted by Gigi818 on August 10th 2009 at 10:29am
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We're not big into electronic gadgetry, but we once had a closet in our living room, and it was just the coolest thing ever. We dubbed it the "TV closet" [of course] and, if we were architects, we would recommend it for all of our residential projects. The above photos look great, but I think nothing compares to being able to tuck that crap away when you're not actually using it. I find it all so gross and tacky, no matter how shiny and new it may be.

posted by visualingual on August 10th 2009 at 10:47am
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I find the best solution is to have one of those picture frame which hides the TV. The dark pattern wall paper does detract the focus from the TV but less so with the lighter wall paper. I guess it worked better than solid wall.

I absolutely love the wallpaper on the last pic!!

posted by HotforDesign on August 10th 2009 at 10:55am
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I don't think wallpaper behind the TVs makes these rooms look any better or worse. Flat-screen TVs are ugly. In some ways I think the days of the big old-style TVs and stereos hidden in huge armoires were better. At least then you could look at furniture rather than electronics.

posted by sally305 on August 10th 2009 at 10:57am
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Sigh. Once again AT posts about things I can't afford: Flat Screens and Wallpaper.

posted by teacupcake on August 10th 2009 at 11:15am
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I don't like ANYTHING really on the same vicinity of the TV view that is distracting. It takes away from the viewing expierence. Sure it may look better when the TV is off but I think it would be distracting viewing-wise...

posted by Matthew K. on August 10th 2009 at 1:14pm
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Did anyone else notice in the second photo there are framed pictures on either side of the TV of the "THX" and "dts" logos? Someone is quite proud of their setup.

posted by Leeesaa on August 10th 2009 at 1:14pm
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I may have to take it back though...That last image looks awesome!

posted by Matthew K. on August 10th 2009 at 1:15pm
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we just bought a new LED Tv its practically as thin as a picture frame making easy to mount. No need to try and hide, besides the newer plasmas and LED's are very sharp looking the buttons are touch screen and the bases are made of glass no need to camouflage or distract from it they are nice looking TV's to look at on or off, why hide a tv in a tv room.

posted by bree on August 10th 2009 at 1:26pm
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NIIIIIICE

posted by Philip_Littell on August 10th 2009 at 11:37pm
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The last room! I die.

posted by ohtheglory on August 12th 2009 at 5:34pm
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