Worried the sight of a big black box will ruin your room’s style?
Good news, you’re not alone, and we have solutions.
Discover how real homes in Bristol, UK are embracing TVs without letting them take over the living room with a little help from Ivywell Interiors.
Let’s face it: in many homes, the TV inevitably becomes the focal point of the living room. Without a dedicated snug room, it often ends up in the spaces where we spend most of our time — yes, the living room. While we all aspire to create a beautifully curated space to unwind or entertain, that pesky big black box can sometimes clash with the vibe.
So what can you do when the fancy mirrored TV (yes, we’ve checked, and unfortunately, it’s always eye-wateringly expensive) or concealed storage is out of the question?
A little debatable for the industry but for our studio the answer is unanimous – take a practical approach. After all, if you’re going to watch TV in your living room, why not make it accessible and hassle-free? No need for fancy tricks or overcomplicated hiding spots – you want to relax, not spend hours looking for the remote.
That said, we’ve got plenty of tricks up our sleeves to integrate the ‘dreaded black box’ with style. Let’s dive into a few tried-and-tested ways to do just that.
In period homes, the fireplace is usually the natural focal point of the living room. While you could simply hang the TV above the mantel (a real can of worms in the interior world, but we’ll steer clear of that debate for now!), we typically find that the TV will hang too high for comfortable viewing.
Instead, we recommend recessing the TV into either side of the fireplace alcoves. The final position depends on where the sun hits the room—after all, no one wants to watch their favourite shows with a glare in their eyes.
In this Victorian bay-fronted living room, we created a single base cabinet with floating shelves above so the TV doesn’t steal the show. The décor around it adds personality and distracts from the TV, ensuring the details (not the screen) are what grab your attention.
Walls in ‘Inchyra Blue’ by Farrow & Ball
In our Edwardian Home Renovation project, we painted the cabinetry the same colour as the walls (Studio Green from Farrow & Ball) to ensure it seamlessly blended into the space. The LED lighting creates atmosphere, and the asymmetrical shelving brings some depth to the wall, taking the focus off the TV. The bottom units are a big plus to conceal all the media equipment. What’s a little different is that instead of building the media wall around the fireplace, it is built on the opposite wall which allowed us to create a more inviting central seating area.
Bespoke cabinetry by Bristol-based maker Creative Storage & Kitchens
Cabinetry and wall colours don’t always have to match. If the walls are darker, the TV will usually blend in, allowing you the flexibility to have some fun with the cabinetry colour. In a bay-fronted living room in Bishopston, we matched the built-in TV unit to the woodwork for a cohesive feel—but if your style is more maximalist, go wild with the colour choice!
Walls in Hague Blue by Farrow & Ball. Part of an Edwardian Renovation & Extension project in Bishopston, Bristol.
For more contemporary homes, like the one in the picture we had the pleasure to design (Contemporary Home Design, Sneyd Park, Bristol), a media wall can be the perfect solution. Essentially, a false wall hides the TV and audio system (goodbye, tangled cables!). If you’re all about a minimalist vibe, this approach will help keep the room clutter-free.
In this contemporary new build in Bristol, we designed a large media wall for family movie nights. The screen is front and centre for the best viewing experience, while all cables are concealed, and the shelves stay tidy and practical – always ready for action.
A built-in media wall isn’t just functional – it can also add texture and warmth to a space. In a modern extension with a Scandinavian flair, designed by DHV Architects, we recessed the TV into a white-painted brick wall. This helped keep to the clean colour palette, while the wooden built-in storage on either side added warmth and character. This approach offers the perfect mix of modern design with a touch of rustic charm – ideal for breaking away from the period features found in the rest of the home.
If you’re more into the media wall concept but don’t have a fireplace, no worries. You can still enjoy the sleek look of a recessed TV by simply leaving a recess in the wall. It’s also a great way to hide remotes and other gadgets—because let’s face it, we could all use fewer things cluttering up the space.
And as an aside, adding a gas fire to a more contemporary setting can be a cosy touch, too. Just be sure to have professional installers handle it to keep everything safe and thermally insulated, especially if you’re worried about the TV getting too hot.
Final thoughts…
Whether you opt for cabinetry or a minimalist media wall, incorporating a TV into your living room doesn’t have to derail your aesthetic. With a little planning and thoughtful design, the TV can become a functional yet stylish feature that works in harmony with your room.
Got a living room design project in mind? We’d love to help. Get in touch with us at hello@ivywellinteriors.com.