She Put a Sofa Below Her TV, and It Actually Really Works (I’m Considering It)

In more and more living rooms, I’m noticing that the television has become less of the focal point — if it’s even there at all. People use gilded frames to disguise them as art pieces, and others put pictures in front of them like doors to cover them completely. Those methods are great, but they require tools and other items. What if it was just a matter of moving around your furniture? 

Award-winning photojournalist Brittainy Newman rents a 600-square-foot Brooklyn loft apartment, and while her living room is open-concept and large by New York standards, what struck me was how she configured her two couches to prioritize conversation and put the TV in the background rather than making it the room’s focal point.

If you have multiple seating options in your living room, consider placing a couch directly underneath the television, as Brittainy did. In her home, she has an Albany Park sectional facing the television and a wooden couch (she’s unsure of where it’s from) across from that.

This clever configuration not only provides more seating while hosting guests, but it also encourages conversation. Hosting friends and family is all about making connections, and with the television being front and center, that can sometimes get lost. With this setup, Brittainy has the best of both worlds.

If you like the look of Brittainy’s living room but don’t have two sofas to utilize, that’s OK! You can create the illusion that your television isn’t front and center by putting other items that you might already have on hand in front of it. IMHO, a media console below attracts eyes to a television. Instead, pop a few chairs, a bench, or a plant stand underneath. These items will encourage conversation whether it’s with people sitting on the seats or about the plants rather than technology. 

We can be exposed to so many different-sized screens every day. Home is where we can hopefully unplug — at least for a little while — and prioritize the less lit-up part of life. If you want to encourage conversation, consider this unexpected layout in your own home. To see more of Brittainy’s apartment, visit the full House Tour.