Interior Decorating – Bringing a Flat Screen Into Your Home Design

The recent International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas further proved that flat screen TVs are all the rage. They are getting thinner and thinner and also are featuring more designer options such as color and attractive stands. Many designers who previously did everything in their power to hide them are now admitting defeat and realizing that tech toys are a source of pride for most consumers and that they want to display them front and center. While I admit I have hidden them in armoires and built-in cabinetry in the past, I am finding it is easier to work them into the design these days. The fact that they are so thin and can be hung on the wall is a huge plus. Also, many companies have caught on to the trend and there are many attractive storage options for the components.

I know it is tempting to purchase one at the spur of the moment when the price is right, but if you want your new tech toy to fit more seamlessly into your home keep a few things in mind:

Size: Bigger is not always better. You should purchase a TV that is going to work best in your home and that means taking the viewing distance into consideration. How far are you going to be sitting from the TV? CNET has some great advice to share on this topic. Location: Where is your cable hookup and are you prepared to move it to where you think the TV looks best? Is the light from the windows going to shine on the TV? Do you want to be able to see the TV from the Kitchen? Height: Whether you are hanging the TV on the wall or putting it in a cabinet or on a stand, the right viewing height is critical. You do not want to be craning your neck to see the TV. The middle of the TV should be in line with your eyes. For a 6′ person that is about 52″ above the floor. Consider everyone in the family and average it out. Components: That TV looks pretty slick all by itself, right? Well do not get used to it because you still need to hook up the cable box, TiVo, stereo, DVD player, speakers and computer. Where are they going to go?
Basically you can buy a stand, have someone build it in or have the components tucked away remotely in a closet. But remember, all these options are going to cost additional money. Stands are your least expensive option and there are some very nice ones out there.

Happy Viewing!