The last time we owned a television it was one of those big, old, boxy tube types that weighed more than an average adult. When we downsized from a larger home into our 850 square foot condo, the TV was added to the pile of things that were too cumbersome for our new streamlined life. Now, four years later, Santa brought us a new flat screen television. While I'm happy to be able to watch DVDs on something other than a computer, I was enjoying the fact that we didn't have a television on view in our home. Solution? Make a cover the for the new TV…
When I unwrapped our new television on Christmas, I almost immediately started thinking about how I would make it work in our home. I quickly ascertained that I would want to make a cover for the TV so that even when it isn't in use, it will still add some style to our home. After a trip to the fabric store, where I scored a grab bag of felt pieces, I was all set to turn the TV into art.
To make the TV cover, I first did a Google image search for TV test patterns. I wanted the colors I used in my test pattern to be as authentic as possible. With an image as a guide, I cut the felt pieces for that would become the test pattern (third image). Once all the pieces were cut, I sewed them all together then put the test pattern aside while I cut the pieces for the cover.
The cover itself was a matter of measuring the television — approximately 19" wide, 13" high and 4" deep. I cut out five pieces of felt — two 20" x 14" pieces for the front and back, two 4" x 14" pieces for the sides, and one 4" x 20" piece for the top. Before I could sew the cover together, however, I first had to attach the test pattern to the front panel. I did this by first sewing the test pattern piece directly onto the front panel with a straight stitch. Then, I went back and sewed around the edges with a zig-zag stitch. Inspiration struck before I started to sew the cover pieces together; I decided to add pockets to the back panel. One pocket is sized for the remote control and the other for Netflix envelopes.
With the test pattern and pockets sewn onto the panels, I stitched all the pieces together. After all the seams were stitched, I turned the new cover right-side-out and slipped it over the TV. And now we have a TV that is hidden in plain sight!
SEE ALSO: TV Shame: New Ways to Hide the Television
Images: Jason Loper
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Might we please do something about the spam? It's been getting a little ridiculous.
The test pattern TV cover is neat-o. I love it. Not that I'd ever make it because then I'd have to sew which I will never do again as long as I live.
Doesn't camouflaging the TV with a cover designed to look like an old school TV screen bring more, rather than less attention to the television? Or is that just me?
It's a cute pattern though, but I personally would rather see it on a pillow.
That said, as far as "TV-hiders" go, at least it's better than this: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/how-to-hide-your-tv-using-fabric-108795?image_id=1146257
I second the spam
I have a huge 50" tv in the living room and it's the first thing you see when you walk in the house, and I would never dream of covering it
Pure genius. I love this!
It's cute but to have to remove it whenever you want to watch tv? No thanks.
I don't get the tv shame. Be proud!
love it--so meta! As someone who watches the tv only about once a week or so, when a disk arrives from netflix, i think this would also help keep dust off the screen.
I love this!!!! Not what's on the front of it but the inexpensive way of hiding the TV.
Hmmm... now I'm thinking about doing something similar in the same color as my walls. Then it would fade right into the background rather than looking like a big black hole in the room.
@Ana - I'm with you
AT is reading my mind. I just recently talked my husband into considering a TV in for the bedroom (no cable, just purely for late night movie watching) and was thinking I wanted to make a fabric cover for. While this isn't the pattern I'll be going for, I'm happy to know I won't be the only one with covered tv! :)
I think leaving my TV bare in the corner makes it as little obvious as possible, but your approach to your TV is more fun.
It's crafty and cute, but I don't really don't think it hides the TV. I'll paraphrase the Internet meme:
"Obvious TV is obvious."
I just noticed the pockets for the remotes and the netflix dvd! That is genius! I think it's a cute pattern and idea- easy to customize. I like the idea of the person who is thinking of doing it in similar colors to the wall.
Actually, I'm thinking of it right now for my computer monitor!
While I think hiding a tiny tv is silly, this little cover is fun. The pockets on the back are a great idea!
I'm sorry Jason, but I don't get it. If it works for you fine, but it would not work for me. As other people have said previously, by doing this you are only bringing more attention to the TV. I've never before commented on these hide-the-tv discussions because I just never cared one way or the other what you choose to do in your home. But this particular "solution" just boggled my mind.
Do you think that by covering the TV you will reduce the temptation to watch? Just because a TV is visible does not mean you have to turn it on. I'm a proud TV watcher myself and I'm not ashamed of how much I enjoy it. My roomie however, is an even bigger TV watcher than me who even has one in his bedroom. I don't have one in my bedroom because I don't think it's necessary in every room and besides I find my bedroom more restful this way. The one in the living room does just fine for me. And when roomie wants to watch something that doesn't interest me, I just go to my room and read a book. Many a times I've just sat in the living room reading or talking on the phone or surfing the Internet with the TV off and did not feel the need to disguise it in someway so that it doesn't distract me. Seems like some folks on here have inordinate amounts of time if they spend this much time worrying about a silly little box that can be easily turned off and left off for as long as you choose.
I agree 100% with creativeneurosis... very cool pattern, but it would look better as a pillow. Plus it just makes your tv more obvious.
A multi-colored TV mimic instead of a sleek black subtle screen? Sorry, I don't see how this is hiding the TV.
Love the pattern and idea, just don't think it's serving the purpose you think it is.
I hate to be negative, but this is really cringe-worthy to me. (Maybe it fits your decor, it certainly doesn't fit mine!) I agree with previous posters who don't get the concept of HAVING a tv if you feel so strongly you want to HIDE it.
Beyond that, however, I think you may have technical problems from blocking the ventilation electronic equipment requires to stay cool. (Not an expert on this, but my partner is, and he is pretty insistant on keeping those vents clear.)
It's cute and well-made! Very creative!
I'm totally intrigued by the mortar work in the bricks.
I like it!
Whether or not you like to watch TV is besides the point. This is a design website, right? Well a TV is an eyesore. I would even go as far to say it is the ugliest object in most homes. I love my movies but damn, I hate that big black box. (I still have the old version that weighs a ton but was free on Craigslist.) When the TV is not in use, I would much rather look at a colorful, handmade, design like this one. I think you could sell these things.
@SherryBinNH: While I agree with you on the ridiculousness of this cover thing, it's highly unlikely there'd be a problem with the TV overheating from being covered while OFF.
It actually might be GOOD for the TV to have the vents shielded from dust while it's not operating. Though I, too, do not see the point of buying/owning a TV if you're going to hide it or if it doesn't fit your aesthetic.
Silly idea. This is in no way hiding the TV. It is accentuating it.
Silly idea.
It's cute and will make people laugh or groan.
My TV is off when I am having conversations, and on when watching movies. I don't see the need to cover it. Too bad there aren't more white TVs, but it's no more an eyesore than the coffeemaker, and I'd sooner give up the TV!
I'm confused, why would you want to cover your tv, they're usually the best looking things in most places and surely covering it only brings more attention to it and doesn't take it away, it's still there.
Now hiding it behind a panel or something else I could understand and that would be good if you used your room primarily for something else or didn't have much space.
Neat. But definitely doesn't hide the tv. If anything, it makes it more obvious that there's something you're *trying* to hide.
Very fun idea, witty and cool!
I think it's clever and fun
I think it's cute, but I agree that it's not really camouflaged. However, some people simply don't like having a big black box staring out at them, and this is a clever solution.
Why are the naysayers always so whiny on this site? You'd think AT was telling them to make covers for their own TVs.
And @bluepanties - if your TV is the best looking thing in your home, you are in serious need of redecorating. Or you shouldn't be perusing a design website. Just saying.
I cover my TV with a pretty cloth when I'm not watching it. It keeps dust off of it, for one thing, and it is kind of nice not to have the big black screen looming over the living space.
I guess it depends on your TV style--a lot of people like to have it on all the time and that's fine. Me, not so much, and that's fine, too.
this is absolutely adorable. i love everything about it. thanks for posting!
I'm of the opinion that the idea of making this into a pillow might be quite useful - particularly as a place to stash remote controls...
...but as a TV cover - well, I'm sure it's going to be good for keeping the thing dust free, but I'm not getting the practicality of a cover that you have to put on/remove all the time (admittedly, I never got TV Armoires either) and the remotes in a pocket behind the TV - which is the last place I'd stash a remote control - just isn't working for me.
I love this, and if you ever start selling them on Etsy, I'll buy one. Clearly, not everyone uses their TV in the same way. But if you usually have it off, the dark, unlit screen of a TV is a visual hole in the room.
Anyone home in the anti spam department??
carolynapplebee FTW
Cute!
This is so stupid. Do we really need to hide our TVs, people? Really?
I agree with others; this would look better as a pillow & aesthetically its similar in style to those crocheted toilet paper covers.
While I am certain those who get Lillian Vernon, Harriet Carter and other similar discounted faux 'designer' goods would snap these up, I am not sure that many decor styles would work with this.
How is this cover going to make this less of an eyesore than a turned off TV?
As for dusting the TV I get that, but if your TV gets that dusty would't this felt, or whatever fabric this is, get just as dusty or more so?
I don't really notice my TV when it is turned off and have surrounded it with paintings and other artwork, so its basically hidden in plain sight.
TV cozy = Tacky
Absolutely tacky. I would throw this and the tv right out of my window on the street below.
I don't understand "cozies" of any sort.
I was thinking, maybe another reason I don't much notice the TV I keep bare in the corner is that the living room has a lot of big colorful pretty things that draw the eye more.
WHY????????
Well, coming to think of it, I guess this is good to keep your kids busy and away from meds (and you too!) hopefully for one full day.
I think I will make a cover for my computer monitor. Living in the desert climate brings a lot of dust to my tv and monitors so this would help my dust magnets from collecting. : )
Ok, I definitely don't see this as hiding the TV (esp. since it's a TELEVISION TEST PATTERN) but I LOVE IT. My husband's pride and joy (and the bane of my existence) is our 52" TV. When off it's not "offensive" it's just BORING. Plus I have a 2 year old who likes to smack the screen when I'm not looking, just leaves the telltale fingerprints behind. I'm totally doing this. And I have no clue why people are getting all prickly.