In general we're fine with small television sets or even not having one at all in the living room. But what about mounting it off-center from the main viewing area? That's what this homeowner did, working around the height issue and position of her fireplace. How would this sit with you from a viewer's perspective?
We've seen this type of solution before (above). The flat panel set is situated at the right of the viewing area, mounted onto a swing arm that swivels so it can be positioned for viewing when needed and returned back when not in use, alleviating cramped neck syndrome. Although we appreciate this setup and it reduces the television being the center of attention, we still wonder if sitting sideways on our sofa all the time could be more of a headache than it's worth.
How do you feel about the set up? Would it be easier to relocate the set to another room altogether? Do you like the off-center look or would you prefer your set to be front and center at all times? How about in the corner? Let us know below and check out the rest of this home over at Robert & Michelena's Modern-Bohemian Fusion house tour over at Apartment Therapy!
Flat Panel Mounting Advice:
- 22 Ways to Mount Your New TV
- How To Mount a Flat Panel TV in the Corner
- How To Choose the Right TV Wall Mount
[Image: Robert & Michelena's Modern-Bohemian Fusion, A Bright & Beautiful Bungalow From An Ohio Trio]
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Comments (9)
Definitely. My neck hurts just thinking about it. these are also far too high. I hate to see them above fireplaces.
If positioned well, it's not so bad at all. MUCH better to situate yourself slightly turned on your couch to view the television off-center than to crook your neck to look up at a TV mounted above the fireplace.
I sometimes tend to immerse myself and go FULL couch potato and actually lay down to watch TV, in that position, an off-center location is simply perfect!
And how the hell you're going to watch the tv when the couch is perpendicular to the tv?? Are you going to move the couch every time you watch the tv?
This is why I will always have a separate TV room and living room. That room, and especially that lovely fireplace look too nice to have the TV distracting from the overall design. I know some people don't have the space for separate rooms and I'm not as big of a TV fan as many people, but that room would look better without a TV at all. I'm glad they didn't put it over the fireplace though, that would have been far worse.
And @jabber, I think they watch TV from the far couch? Sounds like it's on a swivel arm, but the one by the TV would still only work if you were laying down sideways on it.
my BF has his TV set up like the top picture and it drives me BATTY! He does have an arm on it to angle it but the seating arrangement in that room is awakward and awful. I've begged for him to consider switching the dining room and TV room so we can have a flat wall with no windows, doors or fireplaces in the way AND that allows for a stylish furniture setup. He says no b/c he thinks you would be sitting too close for it to be enjoyable (it's over 52").
Who wouldn't want to come to a lovely dinner in front of a fireplace then retreat to a comfy stylish TV room for WII and drinks!?
I was going to say yes, then I realized mine is. And I like it that way. I think it is acceptible when the tv is not the centerpiece in the room.
We've done this --- what our blogger and ya'll might be missing is the wall-mount with an articulating arm. It allows the viewer to pull the tv out from the wall and angle it for comfortable view. It's great way to keep the TV from being the focal point in the room.
http://s3.hubimg.com/u/1281470_f520.jpg
I don't think I'd mind. I tend to multitask while viewing, and can't sit still long enough to worry about straining to see, or sitting sideways.
Gorgeous rooms, BTW.
I think an off-center TV (that swings into a correct viewing position) is much better than a permanently centered TV that is hung too high. But both TVs in these photos seem too high, regardless of whether either of them swings to one side or the other. Design should not impede use, though all too many people seem to put design over usability when it comes to audio and video.