Technology is everywhere these days and it does sometimes feel that it’s taking over our lives. We seem to be hard wired to computers – whether at work or at home – and as great as all this technology is, sometimes we just need to get away from it all. Today, the more we’re surrounded by technology the more we seem to feel the need to hide it from view, which is perhaps not surprising. Our kitchens may be gadget filled but the gadgets have disappeared behind built in units often made of sleek woods and natural stone surfaces. Certainly many domestic appliances are smaller and more easily hidden these days. That is until you get to the living room, the undisputed domain of the massive great flat screen telly, which holds centre stage even when it’s off. I’m not saying that I’m not grateful of the escapism that TV can offer but the main problem I have is that when it’s not in use the TV still seems to be dominant in the room. So how to get round the problem and reclaim the living room for living in?
Two simple steps to hidden viewing
- Most TVs are basically one simple design. I guess that’s because there isn’t a lot you can do to change the design. Flat screens have certainly made the situation better, especially if space is limited and wall mounted TVs are now pretty common. The main reason that they can stand out when they’re off is that they tend to form black holes in the centre of the room. You can lessen this impact on a budget by simply painting the ‘host’ wall a dark colour. Subtle browns or bolder colours can work well in even the most neutral of rooms, to create an impact, drawing attention from the large black and blank screen when not in use.
- We’ve been using furniture to disguise or hide the TV for as long as we’ve had them in our homes. You can easily find a solution that will suit almost any budget. There are a range of off-the shelf designs that are available at reasonable prices, older furniture can be sourced or re-cycled and adapted to house the TV. If your budget allows you can also have bespoke television frames built for your box.
The final solution
Television frames are actually an excellent solution and can be used in just about any room. They are also available to suit most budgets. Many firms manufacture to your exact requirements and a frame offers a simple but very effective solution that makes a statement in itself. Traditional wooden frames created by carpenters can work well in more traditional design schemes and are becoming increasingly popular in hotels and other commercial spaces. If you prefer more modern designs these can easily be created and by framing the TV it becomes more than just a functional item but an added feature in the room. An increasingly common solution – my personal favourite – is the mirrored TV look. Combining a special glass and traditional (or not so traditional) frame to create a stunning feature mirror that is a decorative and useful in its own right has to be the best way to give the focus back to the room and off the TV! At the flick of a switch the mirror fades to reveal the all-important hub for your family’s downtime!
A mirrored TV may be the best way yet to remove the TV from view when not in use. Combing modern technology and traditional crafts a design can be created to fit into the décor of just about any room taking the focus off the TV and putting back onto your style.
