It is not unheard of for TV sales to spike at this time. Yes, World Cup time. For some reason men feel the need to require the largest screen anyone has ever seen to dominate the living room in order to watch the ‘beautiful game’. I understand there is also an amount of competition in who has the biggest screen… but I refuse to get involved. Boys after all, will be boys.

On the other hand, most women see the TV as an ugly black box and I have lamented with many a female client over what on earth we can do with it. And so I have created solutions.

Create a TV wall display

Essentially this means creating a display where a large black rectangle features in the pattern. Try arranging the TV in amongst a selection of black and white images – either symmetrically arranged or (more difficult) in an asymmetric arrangement with a selection of prints, clocks and other wall décor. I’d suggest keeping them all the same colour (ie have black in them) to keep the TV feeling part of the group.

Design a TV shelving unit

A TV wall can also be created using shelving. This could be a very simple shelf under the TV to house the various additional black boxes plus something for the TV to sit on or be mounted on (such as a back panel). Or try a ladder unit, which will have room for displaying other items such as vases, photographs, framed art or books. Again, keep the displays simple and ideally monochromatic so that the wall isn’t too busy and distracting once the TV is on.

Build a bespoke unit to house the TV

A unit designed to house the TV plus some other decorative items could work beautifully. The TV could fit flush with the front panel and disguise all the wires and technology behind the scenes. These box units also allow light units to be built in so you can light displays of objets d’art (or trinkets if the French terminology makes you uncomfortable).

Bear in mind there has to be circulation behind the scenes as this equipment does generate a certain amount of heat.

Above the fireplace

Speaking of heat, a warning here: heat and TVs do not mix. Please ensure that the TV is far enough away from the fireplace! A shelf is often sufficient. If you are relying on space, then bear in mind the TV is getting higher and higher and might make for uncomfortable viewing. Ideally a TV base sits 900mm off the ground, which is good viewing for seating that is 3m away. If your room is cinema-like in size then you can afford to have the screen higher.

Where in the room?

No matter how expensive and what high definition quality the TV is producing, I never feel the TV should be the aesthetic focus of the room. I tend to place TVs in corners or ideally on a large wall that isn’t the one you’re facing as you enter. In my own home, the TV is housed on the rear wall so when entering, we see the art and the sofas which are facing the black box on the opposite wall. I’ve then incorporated some dark décor around the black box to create a display area.

Cabinet

Lastly of course is the choice to put the box in another box and only open it when it’s needed. Cabinets come in all shapes and sizes and can be made to look like they’re as at home in an 18^thcentury interior as they are in today’s.

If you would like any assistance with your home technology – both vision and sound, I’d highly recommend Sound4Vision. Tell Jo Horne I sent you…

Happy World Cup everyone.